County Council’s Thanks To Councillor Retiring After 21 Years’ Service

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 94, 31 October 1947, Page 5

County Council’s Thanks To Councillor Retiring After 21 Years’ Service

After 21 years of service as a member of the Whakatane County Council, Mr W. A. McCracken, who represents the Rangitaiki Riding has decided, on account of ill-health, that he will not seek re-election. At its monthly meeting on Tuesday the Council decided to convey to Cr McCracken its regret ,that his health is such that he is unable to offer himself for re-election, and in connection with this and his wonderful record of service, decided to have recorded on the minutes the following reslution: “That this Council convey to Cr McCracken its very best wishes for his early return to health and at the same time express to him its sincere regret that because of his present indifferent health he is unable to offer himself for re-election—that this Council is honoured to place on record its appreciation of Cr McCracken’s valuable contribution, as a Councillor and as Chairman of the. Council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee, to the development of the Whakatane County and district.”

In a letter to the Council, Cr McCracken said he expected to lie about again in a week or so, but that the state of his health had forced him to retire, though with extreme reluctance.

“In the last 21 years it has been my pleasure to serve on the Whakatane Codnty Council under three chairmen,’ wrote Mr McCracken. “I refer to the late Mr Walter Reid, Mr J. G. Cliff-McCulloch, and our present chairman, Mr J. L. Burnett. Under these chairmen we have had happy Councils which have worked in co-operation and harmony for the advancement of our district and in no small way is the thanks of the district due to such gentlemen for their administration of the County affairs. In retiring, I wish to record my appreciation of the able manner in which Mr Burnett, our chairman, administered the. affairs of the Council during the onerous war years and to thank the Council for the cooperation and assistance which it has always so readily given me in my position not only as a councillor representing the Rangitaiki Riding but also as Chairman of the Council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee. I also wish to mention the chief County officers with whom I have been associated. Mr Robinson and Mr Lucas as County Clerks, and Mr Brebner as County Engineer. I wish to offer my thanks and appreciation to them for their co-op-eration in the efficient handling of the Council’s business.”