TRIBUTES TO MR NEVILLE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21420, 12 March 1935, Page 16

TRIBUTES TO MR NEVILLE

PRESENTATION TO TOWN CLERK CITY COUNCIL'S APPRECIATION OF SERVICES Tributes to the splendid service given to the Christchurch City Council and to the citizens of Christchurch by Mr J. S. Neville, the Town Clerk, and Mrs Neville, were paid by members of the council, who met yesterday afternoon to bid them farewell before they leave for a holiday m England. A joint presentation of a travelling rug was made to Mr and Mi" Neville by the Mayor of Cnnstchurch. Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.. who presided. „ There were also present Ois. Mabel Howard. T. Andrews, J- w - Beanland. J. Mathison, T. Milliken, M E. Lvons. F. T. Evans, A. E. Armstrong T. H. Butterfield, E. H. Andrews, and the Hon. W. Haywaid, M.L.C.; the Mayoress (Mrs D. G. faullivan>. and Mrs H. T. J. Thacker; and Mr J. F. Eames (Assistant Town Clerk'. Apologies tor absence and exPressions of good wishes to Mx and Neville were received from the following councillors: —Mrs J. McCombs, Dr. Thacker, and Messrs J. K. Archer and J. S. Barnett. "The council has assembled to pay its tribute to both of you and to wish you God-speed," said Mr Sullivan. I know that anything I may say wnl be echoed by all the citizens of Christchurch, whose goodwill you have. What Cr. Archer has said in his graceful tribute is all true. Whether a councillor is on the government or the opposition side of the council, or independent, makes no difference to Mt Neville. He is there to serve the council, and he has done so. Anyone who has applied to him has been received with consideration, and has had the information desired readily supplied. A Proud Record "In mv 20 years' association with the Christchurch City Council I have not heard a single complaint about the treatment received from Mr Neville. It is a proud record. "Anything I have said about Mr Neville applies equally well to Mrs Neville, who, through the different mavoresses, has given a service unrivalled by that of any town clerk's wife in New Zealand. A new mayoress has a difficult task, and the help of Mrs Neville has been invaluable. She has also associated herself with all the good causes of the city, the Red Cross, the Mayoress's Fund, and so on. This joint presentation is a mark of our kindly esteem and affectionate regard for them." Cr. Beanland spoke of the great assistance Mr Neville had given to councillors, particularly to chairmen of ccm mil Ices. help given irrespective of party feeling. At the meetings of committees his quiet word had frequently prevented many blunders. He was sure that Mr Neville's trip abroad would result in much benefit, not only to the Christchurch City Council/but also to all the citizens of Christchurch. A Holiday Deserved In endorsing the remarks of previous speakers, Cr. E. H. Andrews said that all were unanimous that the holiday was well deserved. An odd note of criticism had ,been heard in some quarters, but it was small and remot<?. Mr Neville had given almost a lifetime of working service to the council, and the amount of money he had saved for it. as, for example, in legal fees, could not easily be estimated. When the council had decided not to accept his opinions and had taken legal advice, they usually found that, they could have saved their fees. Crs. Butterfield. Armstrong, T. Andrew:--. Evans, and Milliken added to the appreciation expressed by the previous speakers. Mr Lyons said that he was of the opinion that it would pay city councils to send responsible officers abroad to get information, as Mr Neville no doubt would do. His observations in other countries would give him increased powers in dealing with the affairs of the city of Chi'istchurch. Mr Neville, in reply, traversed his association with the City Council, from his appointment in 1901. He had served under 14 different mayors and hundreds of councillors. Since his appointment as Town Clerk in April, 1924, he had served under three mayors. During the whole period he had been less than a week away from work through illness. He offered his thanks to councillors for their kindly sentiments and for their gift. After Mrs Neville had also briefly replied, those present sang "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows."