MAYORAL INSTALLATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1029, 19 December 1883, Page 2

MAYORAL INSTALLATION.

The annual meeting of the Borough Council took place to-day, when there were present his Worship the Mayor and Councillors St Hill, Seaiy, Bird and Leggatt. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, and some minor business transacted, The Mayor said that though this was. not an important meeting he should have liked to see a better attendance. Since the last meeting of the Council two deputations had waited on the Minister for Public Works. In connection with the Mount Somers railw.y extension it appeared that the Minister had discovered that he had not the power to decide the question, and that it must bo left to the Royal Commission. One thing in favor of the Borough Council’s action was that Mr Walk- r, who expressed the opinion of the Mount Somers residents enunciated the same views. As to the question of the railway sites, he thought that the Council’s views would be ultimately carried out, and he was glad to say that Mr Wright had supported them. The Minister, however, said that there were other places in which there were similar reseives, so tha*. it was likely Ashburton would have to wait some time. He did not intend to detain them long in speaking of the work of the year, which could not be said to have been financially successful. A great advantage to the town had been the appointment of a Resident Magistrate, which ho thought the Council’s representations to the Government had had a good deal to do wuh. The new Domain Board was a great improvement, and now the domains would be satisfactorily administered. The reserves of the Council had been increased, and at present the rental to the Borough was L6OO, but this would very soon be considerably increased. Another matter that had bean satisfactorily settled was, the much-vexed question of the library site, and he thought that the Council had been very liber »1 in giving such a valuable reserve for the purpose. The work of plantation had been carried on during the year, and the reserves near the Old Men’s Home had been planted. The Borough had received a fiying visit from his Excellency the G jvernor, and it was not unlikely that we should receive a visit of longer duration before the end of the year. The appro rches to the railway station was an important matter, and the work had been taken in hand He had just received information to the effect that a new railway station would be built, some little distance from the present, about opposite Quill’s Hotel. The Ashburton traffic bridge was a question to be ventilated, and as the personnel of the County Council had been changed somewhat, a renewed application to that body might be mote successful than previous ones, as if some action was not taken before the next session the L 5.000 voted for the purpose would be allowed to lapse. We had reason to congratulate ourselves on the progress made by Ashburton, which, if not so rapid as tome might wish, is on a sound basis. The burgesses would be glad to know that the prospect of a good harvest was never better than it was at present, as this would benefit every person in the country either directly or indirectly. The Mayor then gave an account of the work done on the roads, etc, during the year. : he labor gang had also been employed in minor works, such an cleaning out channels. In conclusion he thanked the Council for the manner they had treated him during the year. It had been said that a public body should not be too unanimous, and he agreed with that opinion, but unless questions were discussed without animus affiirs con’d not be properly administered. He claimed with confidence a continuance of the support accorded to him by the Council in the past. He might also say that Ashburton had reason f o be satisfied with the manner in which the Council’s officers did their work, and he thought they merited recognition. He would also say that no better men worked for any public body,in the colony. Or St Hill proposed a hearty vote of thanks to his Worship the Mayor, and in doing so passed a high eulogium upon that gentleman. He thought the ratepayers showed at the poll that they understood Mr Williamson was the very best man they could get for the position. Cr Bird seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Mayor said it gave him much pleasure in returning thanks for the compliment paic him. This was the only return he had expected, and he had worked to secure that and for the benefit of the community. So long as gentlemen could be found to fill the place without remuneration the better it would bo for Ashburton. He hoped that when another year was passed some other gentleman would bo put forward, as nothing was further from his intention than to contest the seat again. He would again thank them for the compliment tendered to him. As is usual on those occasions, the Mayor asked those present to join him in a glass of wine, and after the usual loyal toasts were honored, Or St. Hill briefly proposed the health of the Mayor, and, in doing so, said that he could not see why a Mayor should not be re-e'ected several times, so long as he was the best man for the post. The Mayor acknowledged the compliment, and then proposed the Borough Council of Ashburton, which ho thought was second to none in Canterbury for sound practica, knowledge, and while this was so the Mayor could not go far wrong. The toast was responded to by the Councillors present, and the Mayor proposed the officers of the Borough Council and the Press, and the meeting separated.