WHAKATANE’S MAYORALTY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 88, 7 October 1947, Page 5

WHAKATANE’S MAYORALTY

MR BARRY TO STAND AGAIN

ANSWER TO DEPUTATION

COUNCILLORS FOLLOW LEAD

Yielding to the arguments put forward by speakers leading a deputation of thirty-five prominent businessmen of the town, which waited on him yesterday Mr B. S. Barry indicated his willingness to reconsider his previous decision and to once again offer his candidature for the Mayoralty of Whakatane. He added that this gesture was conditional on four members of the original Council doing likewise. This difficulty was met by Messrs. W. Sullivan, M.P., L. R. Spring, R. Morpeth and H. G. Warren and J. Creeke who comprised part of the deputation also deciding to stand for election.

Introducing the deputation Mr Sulivan M.P., said that the people generally recognised that the Borough was in very good heart and were satisfied with the manner in which it had been administered. It had come through difficult times in the past 'but under Mr Barry’s wise lead the services had been fully maintained without increasing its indebtedness. It was recognised however that there were many major questions to be settled in the next three years and for this reason it was imperative that the town should have a. mayor who was fully conversant with the position. He instanced the new water supply; extension of the Borough boundaries and access roads, all of which were of the utmost importance. He asked Mr Barry to recognise the fact that all members of the deputation were there to ask him jto reconsider his decision not to stand, and to offer his services again at the next election.

Lead For Younger Team

Mr A. J. Canning said that what was worrying the ratepayers nqw was the number of experienced councillors who were not standing again for office. It was very good to see new blood on any body or-org-anisation but it had to be remembered that an experienced lead had to be given every hew team. He mentioned the additional responsibility of the Domain Board, and the expanding needs of a Borough which had to grow. . Mr H. G. Warren reiterated his previous intention of withdrawing his name for the Mayoralty if Mr Barry would consent to stand again.

A Blunt Warning

Mr L. R. Spring took the unusual course of warning those present of the element of unfairness in waiting on a man who had already given nine years service as Mayor, and who had expressed a desire to stand down. It was a case of the willing horse again. There had never been trouble or factions on the council and this was largely due. to Mr Barry’s diplomacy and control. At the same time it had to be recognised that Mr Barry had a business of his own to attend to from which he was expected to draw his living.

“How many other businessmen in this town,” he asked, “would be prepared to open their doors in the morning - and invite every person with a grievance inside. I am one who considers the Mayoral honorarium of £75 ought to be doubled. That will be one thing I will endeavour to do if I go back.”

He added that it would not be fair for such a deputation to persuade Mr : Barry to .‘carry the baby’ of responsibility again and then quietly walk away. Putting it bluntly Mr Barry'wanted to feel assured that those who comprised the deputation were ‘not only prepared to stand behind him then but also when they went outside of the room. Gesture of Appreciation Mr L. Buddie asked Mr Barry to lake the deputation as a very full and ample gesture of appreciation of the efficiency with which Borough affairs had been handled during his term of office, and also of Mrs Barry’s self sacrifice and cooperation. Messrs. R. Morpeth, K. Price and C. Good also spoke., Mr Barry’s Reply “I have never found it quite so difficult to reply to anything,” said Mr Barry when the last speaker had concluded. He had often heard of his shortcomings, he said, but very seldom heard praise to the same •extent. It was somewhat satisfying "to have it come from so representative a gathering.

He had enjoyed the work and its associations and he admitted it was quite a wrench to come to the firm decision not to stand again. He had ■arrived at this for several reasons—"that it was unfair to retain office

to long; that one was likely to get into a groove and it was healthy to have mew ideas; that he had perhaps given sufficient time to the Borough and there were his family ties. He had made his decision emphatic hoping to safeguard against just such a gathering, but had*to admit that it was a great shock to him to see so many of the old council following suit.

A Difficult Borough

Whakatane was a difficult Borough to administrate and there were admittedly many undertakings of a major nature to be attended to. It was difficult in the face of so representative a gathering to refuse to accede to the general request. He would therefore be prepared to offer himself for re-election providing four of his old colleagues were prepared to make a similar sacrifice. The announcement was greeted with applause and Mr A. J. Canning who had been largely- ’ instrumental in organising the deputation was on his feet immediately badgering Cr Sullivan and other members into accepting nomination, with the result as stated above.

The meeting concluded on an enthusiastic note but not before recording a further motion that similar representations' be made to Mr S. S. Shapley the Deputy-Mayor, to reconsider his decision to retire.