21 Years Of Comity Service
COUNCIL TRIBUTE TO MR McCRACKEN Following the ordinary monthly meeting on Monday, members of the Whakatane County Council and the County staff gathered over afternoon tea and a bottle or two, to present a handsome silver whisky flask to w Mr W. A. McCracken, who re- . tired from the Council last year after 21 years of membership. Mr J. L. Burnett, chairman, explained that Mr McCracken’s long illness had made it impossible to recognise his service suitably at the actual time of his retirement, and expressed the pleasure of the gathering at his return to health. Mr McCracken, the chairman said, had given wonderful service to the Rangitaiki riding and to the County as a whole, taking a keen and competent interest in all its affairs. As chairman of the finance committee, he had always given sound advice. All regretted that ill-health had prompted his withdrawal from local body work. Every member of the Council spoke in appreciation of Mr McCracken’s work on the Council, his long association with the Rangitaiki Plains Dairy Company as a director and chairman of directors, and his personal qualities as a good friend, neighbour and sportsman. Those who had been associated with him on the Council all acknowledged their indebtedness to him for unfailingly courteous co-operation and level-headed advice.
They said they had found him tactful in dealing with people and their problems, constructive in. any criticisms he had had to offer, and solid in all his judgments. At least two of the speakers offered the opinion that the extent of his help to the settlers of the whole district v/as fully realised by but few of those who had benefited by his services both as a Dairy Company director and a Councillor. Messrs C. G. Lucas, County Clerk, and C. H. Brebner, County Engineer, spoke for the staff in appreciation of Mr McCracken’s friendly courtesy, consideration, and sound judgment. Mr Lucas said the County was now reaping the benefit of the guidance of the “canny' Scot” who had presided over its finance committee so long. In reply, Mr McCracken said he had enjoyed his work on the Council. He had learned a great deal and\ had had the co-operation of Councillors, staff and ratepayers throughout his term. If the ratepayers treated all Councillors as they had treated him, they deserved to get service. He felt they had a very good Council now, and a competent staff. He handed back to Mr Lucas a lot of the credit for helping to put the finances of the County on a sound and firm footing. ' He said nothing was needed to keep the memory of his association with the Council fresh, but he appreciated the gift and the expressions of goodwill that went with it more taan. mere words could say. He. thanked'the gathering also for drinking a. toast to Mrs McCracken, who had done so much to help him in his public work.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BPB19480825.2.20
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 86, 25 August 1948, Page 5
Word count
Tapeke kupu
49321 Years Of Comity Service Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 86, 25 August 1948, Page 5
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Beacon Printing and Publishing Company is the copyright owner for the Bay of Plenty Beacon. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Beacon Printing and Publishing Company. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.