XMAS GIFT TO MAYOR.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 22 December 1926, Page 5

XMAS GIFT TO MAYOR.

UNTIRING SERVICE RECOGNISED.

PRESENTATION TO HIS WOR SHIP BY COUNCILLORS.

Last night, the Borough Councillors took the opportunity of ’making a presentation to His Worship the Mayor Mr George Dash in recognition of his untiring efforts in connection with the Borough, and the help he had rendered to the individual members of the Council. The Deputy Mayor (Cr. W. G. Paul) was in the chair. An apology for his unavoidable absence was received from Cr. T. Twomey. Cr. Paul said they were gathered there that night as a mark of appreciation of the good services of the Mayor to the town of Waimate. He stressed the point that the present occupier of the Mayoral chair had served for two years and had been a credit to himself and the reputation of the town. The speaker invited other Councillors to express their opinions.

Cr. F. Nash said that as one of the oldest Councillors present, he would like to echo all that the De-puty-Mayor had said. As one who had been through the mill and knew the duties connected with the Mayoralty, Cr. Nash said he appreciated the good work done by His Worship. Sometimes one’s own interests had to suffer, and all would share with him in saying that His Worship had always put Council matters first, and they had been heavy the last few years. His Worship had attended to the Council's business in a manner which reflected great credit on him. Cr. Nash said he would like to congratulate the gentleman who had conceived the idea of a presentation He (the speaker) had been absent from the last Council meeting, but he had been very pleased when lie had been acquainted with the fact. The Mayor would certainly appreciate the gift. Cr d’A. S. Grut stated that he was next senior Councillor present, and he might mention that during the few years he had been in Waimate he had been responsible for initiating a few schemes, but no scheme had met with such a response, as the scheme for a Christmas present to His Worship. It was not a large present, and it was not intended that Councillors should go to great expense. The present was merely to expres-. the appreciation of the Councillors to. the Mayor for what he had done during his term of office. They were coming to the time for the next election, and no -one knew what would happen then, but the Mayor had recognised all along that to accomplish much one must do

something that did not meet the views of everyone, . and there had been much done during His Worship’s term of office. The Mayor had won Councillors’ hearts, although he had worked them hard. He had expected a lot from the Councillors, buff he had put in more effort himself. It was from that point of view that Councillors appreciated service under His Worship. Cr. J. Atwill stated he was only a new member, but he was proud to be included in the function. The Mayor had always given everything a fair spin, and the Councillors also. The speaker wished the Mayor and his wife the compliments of the season. Cr. H. Smith said that, Ijke Cr. Atwill, he had been on the Council only two years, but during that time he had appreciated being unoer His Worship. The sneaker did not think that one could get a better Mayos, and the man who followed him would have a hard task. Him Worship had an eye for every*

and seemed to see so far ahead. The speaker wished Mr Dash, his wife, and son, a happy and prosperous New Year.

Cr. Robinson said he wished to convey to His Worship the great esteem in which he held him. His Worship had set a fine example. 'From time to time the speaker had applied to the Mayor for advice, and had always been met in the most courteous spirit. He extended to His Worship the compliments of the season. Cr. Nelson said there was net a great deal left to say. He appreciated the help he had received from His Worship in regard to Council work He had come on the Council partly to gain experience, and under the guidance of His Worship he had received a good deal. The speaker had enjoyed his term of office largely through the guidance of His Worship.

Cr. Lewis said that,. as one of the youngest present, he could endorse all that had been said. The speaker admired the enthusiastic

spirit in which everything had been brought forward, and he coulit sa-y that his term of office had been an education on which he looked back with pleasure. He wished the Mayor and Mayoress all success. The Town Clerk (Mr W. A. Lea said he would like to. heartily endorse the remarks made by the Councillors. The speaker was in a different position from the . others and he happened to know the amount of work His Worship had done during his term of office, and knew it not individually hut as a whole. His Worship, besides other things, had to put up with a lot ol annoyance from the Clerk who needed his knowledge. The speaker said he was proud to’ be connected with the function that night, and endorsed the Councillors’ statements

Cr. Paul stated that it fell to his lot, as deputy-Mayor, to’ make the presentation. He jaid he had been reminded often of the comparison that Caesar drew between two greats Senators, who had each done a lot. The mind of one, said Caesar, ran on hinges: it was subjected to a lot of motion but it made no ad vance. Referring to the other Caesar.said the man's mind san on wheels and went cither backwards or forwards. The Mayor’s mind ran oil wheels. One. could not always be right but the speaker could say that ilis. Worship, when he did any thing, was actuated by the highest motives. Cr. Paul pointed out. that he had served two years under Mr Black, two under Mr Evans, two under Mr Nash and two under Mr Dash, and during the time th--Council had accomplished much. The Council right through had maintained a progressive spirit. During the last two years the Coun cil had not had to carry out the greater things of the older days, but during the latter term there

had been a greater attention to detail, for which he. gave Ilis Worship credit, and if attention was paid to detail the bigger things looked after themselves. In presenting Mr Dash with a travelling bag and rug Cr. Paul said he hoped His Worship would long be spared to occupy the chair, and extended to the Mayor and Mayoress wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year The Mayor's Acknowledgsments. The Mayor, in responding, said: — '“These very useful gifts will be very much appreciated by me- for their utility and quality, but the i real value will ever be that they embody your goodwill. To have earned that while not sparing you it. the carrying on of the, work of this Borough is a very pleasurable th’ng, and that I have gained and retained your goodwill these, gifts prove. Your very generous words 11 must speedily forget lest their I contemplation prove, my undoing I for few of us can bear up against words of praise such as in an expansive moment you have a bund antly used in handing me these em blems of your goodwill. “There has been much accomplished in past years by thosj who preceded us in office. The water sup

ply, the sewerage, system, the asphalt paths and concrete channell mg. the beauty spots such as Seddon Square and Victoria Park, are outstanding monuments to the energy and enthusiasm of Councils that have preceded this. You in your turn have contributed a valu able quota to the progress of this Borough. It is not the occasion for recapitulating the items of your work, but it has this outstanding feature that in place of making your progress possible by increased demands upon the ratepayers, yon have adopted and carried out the plan of obtaining money by perfecting the methods of work, and so out of earnings of your own thought, and care have enabled this Council to do many things for which otherwise there had been no funds.

“‘To those who- were members of the Council which preceded this and have been valued members of this Council I owe much for the self effacing way in which they have allowed me to carry out such re-ar-rangements of chairmanships and Committees and systems as I deemed worth trying. In planning out, new methods and in carrying them into action I have received from these Councillors such help as any man might be proud to receive. Those who came untried to this table have proved themselves worthy successors of the useful men who went before, and men with whom it is a pleasure to. work. The two years’ training will fit you for what is to come if you remain mem hers of the Council as I hope, you will. There is much in the days ahead of great interest in municipal work.

The gathering concluded with supper supplied by Mr W. Barford.