FINAL MEETING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 72, Issue 7, 12 May 1944, Page 5

FINAL MEETING

BOROUGH COUNCILLORS REMARKS

IMPORTANT TERM ENDS

Bofrough councillors who have been in office since the outbreak of the war and who have borne the burden and responsibility of all the war innovations and' restrictions, not forgetting the E.P.S. service and the attendant organisation required for the various tests, indulged in mutual congratulations last Monday evening, when they met for the last time as an elected body. The Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, took the opportunity of thanking members for their unfailing support throughout the years and added that they could say without fear of contradiction that they were leaving the finances 'in quite as good a state as when they found them. The Borough finances, rumours to the contrary, were definitely in a sound position, and all could look back with satisfaction. Mr Barry added that although he was prepared to stand another term as Mayor he would like to assure councillors that if any members felt inclined to contest the position, he would welcome it and there need be no fear of any personal feelings in the matter. He wished those councillors who were standing again, good luck and a substantial return at the polls. New blood was very desirable but there was also the need to have a leveiv ing of experience. C-r Sullivan returned the thanks of the Council for the manner in which His Worship had presided and filled the position of the town's leading citizen. He included in his remarks Mrs Barry and added that the Borough had been well served in both respects. He thought too that the people of the Borough were appreciative and that most of them realised that the Council was there for one purpose only—and that was to be of service. He had thought at times that he should resign, but when he realised the problems that lay ahead, lie considered that the more experienced councillors should at least remain in office for , the duration of the war. Other speakers were Crs Cumm'ings, Creeke, Armstrong, Caisley, Mulhollancl and Shapley.