WAIMAIRI COUNCILLORS SAY FAREWELL TO MR R. W. HAWKE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18092, 28 February 1927, Page 4

WAIMAIRI COUNCILLORS SAY FAREWELL TO MR R. W. HAWKE.

Mr R. W. ITawke, member of the Papanui Riding on the Waimyii i county Council, was farcwelled on Saturday night, at the Waiinairi Council Chambers, by his fellow members and the staff. , . .. Mr 11. Paterson. chairman of the council, who presided, said that, the council had felt that they could not let Mr Hawke leave on his holiday trip to America and England without some expression of regard from those who had sat with him round the council table. They liacl intended presenting him with a travelling rug, but the poultrymen forestalling them, they had decided on a. chiming clock, which they hoped would serve as a memento of the regard in which lie was held. Mr J. Cl el land said lie could endorse all the chairman had said. Mr Hawke, was a sincere man, who watched the interests of his ratepayers and did not spare himself when it came to working for the council. , ' Mr T. O. Newman, in a brief speech, wished Mr and Mrs Hawke a pleasant r Mr G. Shipley said that all must regret Mr Ilav.ke’s absence at such a time. As ho was their member of the Highways Board, his presence,wun^needsure that Mr Hawke would use every opportunity to study the great, problem of the present day, that of creating good traffic roads. Mr C. E. Cross said lie regretted Mr Hawke’s absence. The proposal to ease the unemployment trouble by building a main highway was a and it was necessary that a 1 5 per cent contribution from the Highways Board should be secured, to enable the scheme I Mr J. °Walter’ said he had been associated with Mr Hawke since 1910. Mr Hawke had worked hard for the proI gross of Papanui. and it. was largely l by his efforts that the tramway was extended from Papanui to Northeoto Road. I Mr Walter- said he envied Mr Hawke 1 his chance to sec the New Zealand | cricket team playing In England. F. M cmintV 'foreman, also wished ! Mr Hawke a pleasant journey and a | ‘'ilr "lawke, in reply, said they could rely on him to study the roadmg problem wherever lie might be. He was not

satisfied with the Highways Board’s contribution to such councils as Waimairi. Experience had shown that it was too low, for the South Island, at any rate. With a higher subsidy the county could ask the ratepayers for the balance, confident that it was in theninterests. He thanked the councillors and the stuff for their gift.