FORMER MAYOR S DEATH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 141, 17 June 1931, Page 6

FORMER MAYOR S DEATH

i * LATE MR T. B. WILLIAMS RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE HIS KINULY PERSONALITY. i Wanganui has ’ost a faithful servant and the public in general a wise and kindly legislator in the person of Air Tom Boswall Williams, who passed away at his residence at 11 o'clock yesterday morning. His personality was of a likeable quality that endeared him to supportci and opponent alike. Wanganui could never think ill of one who brought such a wealth of conscientious ability to bcai for her good. His mind was broad and of a balance that enabled a proper vision of the future linked with a sympathetic understanding of the problem.-, many and varied, which beset the path of his foliowmen. “T.B. ” was nothing it he was not a man of understanding heart. For six vears. in two terms, he held the office of Mayor. His guidance in the early years of the war was an inspiration to confidence. He was prominent in creating the basis of Wanga nui’s patriotic effort and in stimulating it through the weary years. He carne to the council table, first of all. on September 25, 1900, taking the reins of office as Mayor for the first time on May 7. 1913. He retained them on that occasion . until May 5. 1915. It was during this period that the War Relief Fund was established and brought up tp a total of £65,000 before the creation of the Wanganui-Waitotara Patriotic Society. He was elected Mayor again in 1920 and held office until 1924. In those days a dark cloud formed on the horizon of affairs municipal when the original tramway plant showed signs of wavering under an increasing load. There were breakdowns day after day and public patience with the service was on a fast ebb. Long, weary council meetings, tabulations of evidence given in various enquiries and finally the development of that notable issue of steam versus hydro, marked an eventful terms of office for the then! Mayor. Mr Williams faced his difficulties quietly and with that degree of patience which was characteristic o’’ him.

Looking back over his record of sei vice reveals the fact that the Dublin Street Bridge was opened when he occupied the Mayoral chair, the Aramoho ami Wanganui East tramway extensions were made and a loan raised to provide St. John’s Hill with, a tramway service. A commencement with the Borough cottage scheme at Springvale was undertaken. It needs only a cursory glance at the past to proclaim that wh('n Air Williams was chief citizen the public mind in Wanganui visioned pro gross and preservation of those civic amenities then in existence. Newport, Monmouthshire, was Air Williams’ birth place. In 1852 the adventurous spirit of his parents prompted emigration to the goldfields of Victoria. Air Williams was quite a child then, and in later life when he came tx> New Zealand it was to seek the glit taring yellow metal on the West Coast Ct is a far cry back to those days—tr th* stirring times when men suffered the rough and ready life on the diggings. No thought, crossed “T.B.’s" mind of that time that his path, then followed with the trudging footsteps under a swag, would lead upward to the Mayoral office of the fifth town in the country of his adoption. When Air Williams came to Wanganui he established the Wanganui Brewery in partnership with Air Garner. That was in 1878. The partnership continue! for approximately 14 years after which Air Williams became sole proprietor. Later he disposed of the business to Afessrs Gibbons and Hole and on taking up the Pinetum Estate on the No. 2 Line became a farmer. In 1898 he

established an auctioneering business it Taupo Quay. This grew steadily and some time later the well known auctioneering firm of Williams and Harper was set up in Victoria Avenue, the late Air H. S. Harper becoming Air Wil liams’ partm r. Air Williams remained an active participant in this firm until six' years ago when ill health compelled him to retire and relinquish control to Air E. Doric. Air Williams gave generously of his time as a man in public life. He was chairman of the Patriotic Association, worked hard in raising war relief funds, occupied a scat on the Harbour Board for some years, was a member of the Wanganui River Trust. He played an important part in church work and was a warden of Christ Church. He was a Past Alaster of the Masonic Lodge. Deceased was twice married and his second wife survives him. The sons arc I Alessrs Alex.. Len, and Ivo, and the daughters Airs J. McFarlane (Wanga-, nui), Mrs Wimsett. Aliases O. and H. 1 Williams (Wanganui), and Miss E. Wil limns (Auckland). His eldest son, Albert. was drowned at Kai Twi some years ago. Mr Williams suffered a long illness prior to his death. His conscientious attention to duty in a period of heavv public responsibility affected his health considerably ard when walking to attend a <-^>”- l -i| meeting near the close

of his last term as Alayor he was in jured by a motor ear in St. Hill Street. Ever since then his health became gradually worse. He passed away iu his seventy-ninth year, leaving behind him a record of service which has endeared him to Wanganui as a whole. The city mourns one whose courtesy, and unfailing loyalty live to-day to inspire a new generation. CITY COUNCIL’S TRIBUTE S s l’E ADFA ST SER VICES APPRECIATED. Standing in impressive silence at last night’s meeting the Alayor (Mr N. G. Armstrong) and the City Council paid tribute to the memory of the late Mr T. B. Williams and passed a vote of condolence with Mrs Williams and the members of the family. “Those who knew him found him extremely painstaking and careful,’’ said Mr Armstrong. “To anything he took up he gave assiduously of his attention. In his quiet way he was an efficient Mayor. He was careful, courteous, always considerate of others.” The following motion was carried: “That this Council places on record its appreciation of the long, efficient and steadfast services rendered the people of Wanganui by the late 'Tom Boswall Williams, both as Alayor and Councillor of the city and as a memner of other public bodies. The late Mr Williams endeared himself to all who knew him by his quiet, kindly and painstaking disposition, and hv many avts of consideration and kindness he did much good for his fellow-creatures. That the sympathy of this Council be extended to Mrs Williams and