MAYORAL INSTALLATION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 13976, 8 May 1913, Page 5

MAYORAL INSTALLATION.

YESTERDAY’S 'CEREMONY

Mr T. B. Williams, the newly-elected Mayor, was installed in the Mayoral, chair yesterday afternoon at the Borough Council Chambers. There was a very largo attendance present, which. included. Mes-daffies-Williams.!• and Mackay (retiring Mayoress). Apologies for absence were received from Cr. Wray and Mr (I .Spriggens). - Mr C. E.-MACKAY', the retiring Mayor, in opening the proceedings, instanced Mr Williams’ long municipal experience on cho Borough Council, Harbour Board, and other local bodies. Ho had worked well on these' bodies, sparing neither time ,nor money, and his record was an honourable one which gave him every Warrant to aspire to the petition to which he had just been elected. He was surd Mr Williams would prove a worthy addition to tho able list of past Mayors. Tuo new. Council was a good one, representative of all parts of tlio town and 'all interests, and it bad a fair amount of new blood. Mr -W 7 ilHams having been elected Chief Magistrate, the Council would naturally have to look for a lead from him, and upon him would rest the mbsb responsibility. At the same time ■ When councillors disagreed with tho Mayor it was their duty to say so and act accordingly, though no doubt, oven when there were differences of opinion, tho Mayor and Council would carry on'their work harmoniously. Mr Mackay concluded by welcoming Mr Williams to his now • office.

Cr. j. T. MUllt, on behalf of the. 1 old Council, congratulated, the new Mayor ou liis election, which, after his long experience in .municipal affairs, was thoroughly well deserved..Mr Williams was a ..thoroughly -straight, man, and Cr. Muir had no doubt .ho vvould .rise to, the occasion in occupying the position of Mayor of the fifth town iii New Zealand. Mr Muir then paid a high tribute to the work of the retiring Mayor. Mr Mackay and himself had frequently not seen eye to eye, but he was man enough to acknowledge that, as Mayor, Mr Mackay had been a great success, while Mrs Mackay had been an ideal Mayoress, and lie hoped they would have many years of public service before them yet. Cr. GREGG, on behalf of the new councillors, also congratulated Mr Williams ' who, his own brief experience of that gentleman led.him to believe would prove worthy of Ins position, though he would certainly have a hard contract to follow, in tho footsteps of Mr Mackay. The usual declaration was then read, and after it had been signed by the new Mayor, the,latter'was placed' in the chair by Mr Mackay. WILLIAMS thanked all present for their attendance, and the speakers for their remarks concerning himself,; though ho confessed that he was unable to adequately express his feelings. Ho realised the responsibility placed upon him, and hoped that his actions during his term of office would win the approval of the burgesses, and ho would at an early opportunity put forward a policy for the administration of the borough’s affairs. He hoped to bo able to put operation his scheme for reducing the borough overdraft, and, in connection with the pooling of the loans', favoured forming them into one loan. He regretted to say that circumstances over which the Council had no control had hindered the work at the Wostmere reservoir. It was, however, most necessary that it should bo proceeded with, and it was, therefore, probable that Within tho next two months the ratepayers' would be asked to sanction another loan for its completion. Concluding, Mr Williams expressed thb hope that ho would be found conducting the business of the Council in the best way to advance the interests of Wanganui. This terminated the formal part of the proceedings, after which afternoon tea was served, bringing tho function to a pleasant conclusion.