Mayor’s Appreciation Of Councillors’ Work In Term-Now Ending

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 98, 14 November 1947, Page 5

Mayor’s Appreciation Of Councillors’ Work In Term-Now Ending

At Monday’s meeting of the Borough Council, the last before the elections, the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, took the opportunity of thanking the Councillors and officers of the Borough who had worked with him during the period now ending for their co-operation, loyalty and teamwork. He said he trusted that those Councillors who had decided to stand again would be re-elected, and he went on to make particular mention of the service rendered to the Borough 'by the retiring Councillors, Messrs S. S. Shapley, A. J. Canning and J. H. B. Warner.

Mr Shapley, the deputy-Mayor, and for the last 9£ years chairman of the works committee, had a record of 18 h years’ continuous service on the Council, Mr Barry said, and he had won the respect of all those with whom he had worked for his efficiency and thoroughness. Cr Canning, Mr Barry described as the “High Commissioner of Whakatane”, and the very embodient of the town’s spirit of hospitality. His service on the Council started in 1921, and his years of service also totalled 18£- years, but he had had a break from Council work between 1923 and 1931.

Of Cr Warner, Mr Barry said that, though he had only been a member of the Council a short time, his specialised knowledge had been a great asset, and it was to be regretted that he was not seeking reelection.

In reply, Cr Canning said he had always found his work on the Council most interesting, especially his association with the works committee under Cr Shapley’s chairmanship. Moreover, it had always been a pleasure to work with Mr Barry, who had always given fair rulings with complete impartiality. Cr Shapley also paid tribute to the Mayor’s service to the Borough. He expressed some regret at leaving the Council table after so long, but wished the new Council every success.

Cr Warner thanked the Mayor, Councillors and Borough officers for their help and courtesy during the si ort term he had held office. Members of the staff also bade farewell to the retiring Councillors and added that it had been a pleasure to work with the present Mayor and Council.

Later, Councillors and their wives spent a pleasant evening as the guests of the Mayor and Mayoress at their Hillcrest home.