CIVIC FESTIVITY.

Wairarapa Age, 17 December 1924, Page 5

CIVIC FESTIVITY.

COUNCILLORS AT SUPPER. At tike conclusion of the Borough Council meeting last evening the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs O. N. C Pragnell) entertained Councillors and their wives at supper in the Hotel Midland. The Mayor proposed the toast of the Deputy-Mayor and Mayoress (Cr. F. W. and Mrs Temple), whom he cordially welcomed on their return from England. Cr. Temple thanked the Mayor for filling his office as chairman of the Gas Committee and the other members of the Council for their courtesy and consideration in granting him further leave. The last two weeks of their trip had appealed to them strongly, for they knew New Zealand was at the end of it.

Cr. Temple gave a very interesting talk on his travels and the conditions prevailing at Home. He predicted a crisis, and considered the only solution was the prohibition of aliens from entering the country, and the creation of employment. Cr. T. Jordan proposed t!he toast of the staff, and referred to the large body of servants who served the borough faithfully doing work which would compare favourably with that of any private employer. Messrs T. T. Denbee (Town Clerk), C. B. Mabson (Acting Engineer), and J. W. Blackman (Gas Engineer) responded.

The health of the Mayor and Mayoress was proposed by Cr. Temple, who paid a tribute to the comradeship which existed among the Council under the guidance of Mr Pragnell. The Mayor got good results by throwing the responsibility on the chairman of committees. None could say that his influence had not carried them through, to achieve good results. Mrs Pragnell, despite an unfortunate illness, had. done magnificently. On behalf of the Council (he congratulated them on their efforts and paid them the compliments of the season. The Mayor thanked the Councillors and staff for their loyalty to him, He felt sure good work 'had beep done, and thought the ratepayers could not complain of their administration. He understood that at the end of the term they would have a clear balance sheet, and all accounts would be in order. With good local government, and a thorough civic spirit, the town was sure to progress.

The toast of “The Press” was proposed by Cr. Kemp.