LONG SERVICE ENDS

Chronicle (Levin), 24 May 1947, Page 4

LONG SERVICE ENDS

-Mr. G. A; Monk Resigns From Counly Chairmanship For the last time Mr. G, A. Monk, for 25 years chairman of the Horowhenua Cofinty Council, rose to address members yesterday on the occasion of a speeial meeting for the preparation of estimates. By his recent appointment to the newly-forftied Local Bodies' Commission, Mr. Monk has been forced to sever his eonnection with the Council and other bodies with which he has been associated# Following the disposal of normal business, Cr. A. M. Colquhoun asked leave to 'take the opportunity of expressing the eouncil's regret at Mr. Monk's forced resignation, to voi'ce sincere appreciation for his service and advice, and congratulate him on his new appointment. Persqnal references to Mr. IV^onk were made by all members of the council, following Which he was preserited With a framed photograph of the council. Speaking of Mr. Monk, Cr. Colquhoun said that the fact that Mr. Monk was the sole no'minee from a local body was an indication of the high esteem in which he was held. The council had placed him on a pedestal and he iad never let it down. The . next speaker, Cr. A. J. Gimblett, reviewed the early history of the. council, giving high praise to the pioneers. In eulogising Mr. Monk's service he did not wish to belittle the -work of those men, but it was a great compliment to Mr. Monk that men years his senior had selected him as :heir chairman. One of th'e first ftasks Mr. Monk had set himself #as the sealing of highways, aho "t was his vision that had led to the sealing of the road from waikanae to Whirokino. "The Government took the road over and left. the. debt behind.' I hope we'll pick that. up later. Mr. Monk does too." He said that all members of the council would always have a varrii^spot in their hearts for Mr. Monk. Cr. Gimblett also praised Mrs. Monk, stating that her inspiration and work had been a very important factor, and trusted that Mr. Monk would convey to her the eouncil's very sincere appreciation. ' The appointment of Mr. Monk to the 'Local Bodies Commission was Horowhenua's loss but New Zealand's gain, said Cr. D. K. Guy. ' Vhen he had had occasion to ask a question of Mr. Monk, he had always reeeived a just and fair reply. Mr. Monk had always ;alked sense and had given much sound advice. The council was losing a wise counsellor and sound and just administrator said Cr. A. M. Atkins. He likened Mr. Monk to a beacon light, and stated that it was hard, to realise that he would oe no longer on the council. He trusted Mr. Monk's new positio'n would not be.too strehuous. . Other members of the council spoke in a similar strain. All spoke very highly of Mr. Monk. and when congratulating him on his appointment expressed regret that his serviees would no longer be of sole availability to the council. Mr. Monk Replies

I would hardly be- human if I did not feel moved by the thihgs you have said about me," said Mr tak in replying. "I have alway. known I had the goodwill of tht couheil." He said that had helped him considerably. Though he aad wide associations with local bodies he had always considered .limself mother of the Horowhenua County. "You have dll been very tolerant" he added. "I bave made mistakes — plenty oi them-^and I have later seen those •nistakes, but always I have hau your tolerance and intense loyalty oehind me." Mr. Monk went on ,o say that he had always made t a principle to obtain a - good knowledge of what business was pending before the meetings. If he aad had anysuccess asa chairman it was due mainly to that fact. His job had been made easier by the tolerance and goodwill Oi those he had been associated with AH the knowledge he had gained through his associatioh with '•Ounty matters he had endeavoured to bring into the administracratian of the local county. He trusted that it would be of assistance to it. "All l have done in local body administration is whai I would do in the administering of my own private affairs." It had been said that one never made money until one had a bank overdraft. That might be so, but he had personally seen he had a bank credit apd had worked ,on that basis in regard to the council He was pleased at Cr. Gimblett's reference to the pioneers, said Mi. Monk. "We in our time might have done a good job, .hut we urust take- off our. hats to them. They had no cars or trains in vhuch to travel to meetings." Referring 'to the earlier councillors 1 ie made particular ■ reference to ihe late Mr. p. w. Goldsmith, who was county clerk when he' was appornted chairman in, November, ^ , They had formed a wonderful team and had ' worked splendidly together. "Whatever iticcess I have had in local body Wfirk I owe to him. He was a great 1 was young and naturally a little impetuous, but he was a steadying hand, . always re'ady with advice and help. I need not eplogise Mr. Hudson, our present clerk, but' I- would like to take -this opportunity of saying how much I appreciate his great help. His advice has always been sound and we have , worked well together, You have nothing to fear as long

as you have Mr. Hudson to guide mu," he added. * The very great help Mrs. Monk had been to him 'as mentioned by Mr. Monk, and ilso that of his brothers, who, as lis partners in business, had done lis share of the work while he wen-t out to attend to local body affairs. He added his appreciaion^of "the help his family had been to him: "It is very difficult for me to realise I am presiding over you for the last time," said Mr; Monk, when thanking the members of he council. He anticipated that the job he was going to would be a difficult one, but he assured the ouhcil that no hastv decisions would be made. Everything would e subject to proper investigatioii, with a sence of justice always paranount. "If that is done then we will achieve something," he conduded.