OLD SOLDIERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 65, 18 April 1944, Page 6

OLD SOLDIERS

COUNTY COUNCIL RECORDS Some interesting facts concerning the Whakatane County Council since its inauguration in 1900 have come to hand and we feel that our readers, especially those who are old residents of Whakatane may be interested in them.. Digging deep into the murky depths of the minutes, we lind that the first meeting was held in a small library near the Commercial Hotel. That Avas way back in 1900, when Mr A. Peebles was chairman, and right off the bat £50 was passed for payment, mostly of election expenses. However, Mr Peebles remained the popular chairman till 191'0 ! , when he resigned, and Mr E. Clay took over the position. In 1914, Mr Reid was elected chairman just in time to take up his position in the new Council Chambers (the present ones) where he remained till 1935. In 1920, Mr Lawson was appointed by the Council to represent the Natives, and from then on the Natives were we presume, represented. It is a noticeable fact that since the first meeting in 1900, the only name which has remained unchanged up till the present time is that of Mr F. J. Burt—and yes, he's still there., Of those councillors who have served for over ten, years, there ar« still live sitting members, these being Crs F. J. Burt (43 years), W. A. McCracken (17 years), J. Burnett (14 years), C. W. Smith (12 years), and L. W. Luxton (12 years) while Mr C. H. Brebner has been the County Engineer for over 19 years,. In the realm of County Clerks, Mr H. R. Robinson (previous to Mr C. G. Lucas) served for 13 years up till 1929, while Mr Lucas has held the post from 1929 till the present time. So now you see what they mean when people say that, our councillors. weren't born yesterday!