MUNICIPAL SERVICE.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17077, 14 April 1927, Page 6

MUNICIPAL SERVICE.

HAMILTON'S AFFAIRS. THE RETIRING COUNCILLORS. APPRECIATION OF WORK. An extremely pleasant function marked the retirement of Councillors Mason, Sim and Lowry from their positions on the borough of Hamilton, when the Mayor (Mr J. R. Fow) inwited the councillors to supper at the close, of the Council's business last night, and spoke in eulogistic terms of the services rendered by those who were vacating office.

The Mayor said that he took the opportunity of farewelling from their official positions several retiring councillors who would not seek re-election. At the finish of two years' service it was a pleasure to have such a harmonious gathering. The people of Hamilton had been fortunate in for a' long time having a number of councillors who had given their time unslintingly, and this occasion marked the close of the career of some permanently and possibly some temporarily.

Speaking with special reference to Cr. Mason, who was not standing at the coming election, His Worship said he understood Mr Mason was elected in 1906, in place of Mr J. W. Hardley, who was now an Auckland City councillor, and had held office under successive Mayors since that time. During the 21 years Cr. Mason had given his time unselfishly, and his value to the town had been inestimable. Hi(' facility with figures made him of valu* able assistance to the Council" wher< financial proposals were concerned.

Councillor's Long Service. Cr. Mason, proceeded His Worship,' had always been loyal to each Mayor in turn, especially in the advocacy of any progressive policy. He would always command the respect, esteem, and confidence of the Hamilton public, and it was witli deep regret that they learnt he intended to vacate office. "He has done his part in the municipal life of Hamilton, and it is only fitting that we should take this opportunity of recording our appreciation of his services on his retirement," continued the Mayor. ..Cr. Mason would go out from the municipal life with the very best wishes of all who had been. privileged to work with him. Regret was also felt, said His Worship, that Crs. Sim and. Lowry were, not offering themselves for re-election. They had done very useful work as councillors. The past two years had been marked by the most harmonious relations. While there had not been a large expenditure of loan money, they could give credit to the borough engineer (Mr R. Worley) for having almost transformed the outward aspect of the town. With young men on the staff, such as Mr Waddel, acting-town clerk, and the engineer, the affairs of the borough could be expected to go forward. He congratulated the engineer on the work he had accomplished and looked forward to the time when Hamilton would go ahead even faster than it had done in the past two decades. Long service stood to the honour of Crs. Mason. Tidd and Barton, among others, and they could take some pride in having helped to bring about the prosperity of Hamilton. He heartily congratulated the retiring councillors on their work in the interests of the Hamilton public, and they deserved the best thanks of the community at large. Tributes From Others. Cr. Snell added h:s tribute to the work of the retiring councillors and endorsed the Mayor's remarks. Ha was pleased that reference had been made to the services of the borough engineer. Regret was voiced by Cr. Lafferty, at the withdrawal of the three councillors from the public life of the borough. No one had been more impartial, broad-minded, and used clearer judgment than Cr. Mason. He referred in eulogistic terms to the other retiring councillors, Messrs Sim and Lowry, and he hoped their successor! would serve the borough as well as they had. His association with the Council, said Cr. Tidd, had taught him to be tolerant of other people's views. He did not think • any town could have had a finer body of men than the Mayors, who had presided over the borough, and he mentioned that December of this year marked the jubilee of the formation of the original council.

Cr. Barton said he could not let the occasion pass without bearing out the remarks of the other speakers. The borough was suffering a distinct loss by the retirement of the three councillors, and he expressed the hope that Cr. Mason might yet occupy the Mayoral chair. Reference was made lo the work of Crs. Lowry and Sim, the professional knowledge of the latter being patent lo all. He wished! them a happy future. In returning thanks for the kindly sentiments expressed, Cr. Mason said it was a pleasure to look back over a period of 22 years and think of the work he had been able to do and the. friends he had made- He had pleasant recollections of the day that Cr. Sim was appointed town clerk and borough engineer. It was with a sense of civic pride that. he reviewed the progress of Hamilton, and anylefforts in its behalf in an unofficial capacity £ would not be lacking on his part. Cr. Lowry returned thanks for the appreciative remarks. He was retiring because he realised that he could not devote the time that was necessary to the borough affairs, in which he had had pleasant associations. He had done his best and would like to have done more.

Cr. Sim said it was with a certain amount of regret that lie had decided not to seek re-election, for similar reasons to those of Cr. Lowry. He heartily appreciated the cordiality which had been extended to him, and perhaps or a' future occasion he might again b( able, to offer his services lo the rato payers.