MAYORS INSTALLED.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 500, 6 May 1909, Page 6

MAYORS INSTALLED.

THE CITY CEREMONY. HEW COUNCILLORS WELCOMED. V ' POSITION OF MEMBERS OP LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES. Dr. A. K. Newman, tho nowly-elcotod Mayor of tho city of Wellington, was formally installed at noon yesterday. All the *' councillors except Councillor Fletcher (who apologised for unavoidable absonco) and all the heads of tho staffs wero present. An interested spectator was Mr. Edward Collins, V. member of tho London County Council, who is visiting tho colonies. . The ohair was occupied by tho outgoing Mayor (tho Hon. T. W. Hisldp). As tho now Mayor entered, clad In the robes of office, he was heartily dhcored. Tho Town Clerk (Mr. J. R. Palmer) announced the result of tho elections. , Remarks by the Hon. T. w. Hislop. Tho Hon. T. W. Hislop said he had now after four years the pleasure of handing over tho office ofvMayor to an old friend who had taken a considerable part in tho interests of the city. Four years ago many of the present councillors wore with him, and the now Mayor would therefore bavo the advantage of their, deliberations,' and ho would also have the advantage of having gentlemen with new ideas. Tho new Mayor would find that careful attontiori'had been given to tho concerns of ijho city by his predecessors. Tho conversion of flaking and Frederick Stroots into bettor localities had been referred to; tho View Mayor would find full information on the subject in tho council's records. Tho now Mayor would find that while many mat- • ters wore opon to discussion regarding, the tramways, and changes might be desirablo, yet overy consideration - was given to every matter coming before the council. He had no doubt that the council under- the able management of Dr. Newman would go on at least as, woU as in the past. Ho hoped they would not be lavish in expenditure, but not uorvoue in asking the citizens for loans when required. They ought not to bo behind eomo of the groat cities whore citizenship was looked upon us lie highest idoal, and ho directed attention to tho intellectual and moral side of the community as woll as the physical. Very little had been done in this direction during tho past few years, but 6till a Kfctlo had boon dono. He had very much pleasuro in leaving the chair, and asking Dr. Newman to tako it. Ho had ovory confidence that Dr. Newman and tho council under him would do their best for the-city.' (Hoar, hear.) . Speech by the New Mayor. Dr. Newman,-on taking the chair, expressed his pleasure at the honour of being elected Mayor of such a city as "Wellington. Ho would endeavour to carry out his duties ■with due dignity. He acknowledged tho courtesy ho had always received from Mr. . Hislop. The latter did not seam overstrained from his continuous duties, but, unfortunately, Mrs. Hislop was not too well. Ho was,sure tho councillors and the publio would, wish her speedy recovery. To tho council he would say that he would fill tho chair as he thought rt should bo filled, and np would treat everyone with impartiality , ,Ho thought the council should do all that j was possiblo for tho advancement of tho pity. Tho remarks of Mr. Hislop regarding mtallectual and moral development met with - bis.hearty approval. Ho hoped'they would oavo a pleasant year, and be able lo do much for tho.crty. (Applause,)

■si .;' gratulaied Dtr.-Newmani;on his election. The Parliamentary:career ,ahd-'ltbe ■;;' .-WOTk-he had done; oi,tl(e!cpinicil, years/ago, : IcotmcaTlorsV.woTild :stand jby .Mm, and iieir ser- < SI I? 0 ?! ld te freely/given; ::When Dr. Newman ;tf V ; i hM'\gdneitwOT^a'-y^i.'Mryice,- i lie'.worild when ; ; 'j;.money.would; Iwwe> to borrowecL -Ho was ■';■ :^ - p_lea^_,that;all;the: councillors,who.Ep.ught '•:•;•';.ie-electioii,..had .boen' returned. '■■•■. Everyone :jiheV;good i work',done i by. : Mr: and >:,,;■,Mre.'/Hislop (hear,- hear); and hecould .not ,y;-v'. allowstne;'.opportunity, .to • go. by : without' ex-;;iV-pressing; his hearty.; appreciation':of the. ser'.i;:fi.:'.;vie6s\of*the outgoing.. Mayor, r■■ ;•;■-,• .;■'.'■:-.;'■'■■ ;D.. : . M'Lareri vheartiry,welcomed ■ ' ?/' Newjnan -■•■■•'■ »He; rose W; epeak' because :. f :;iMr.;.Hißlop'raferred;to-two blots on thd city ;-3. r-cmigested areas,.'and the question/of rote]- :-'. lectuahand; moral '.development. He' assured ■ ■:. -.; the .Mayor; that he: would I have' the speaker's ; y. :■:.- (hearty in any reforms under these v ■;■ eieads.-:■ •Hβ;consideredfit a reproach to ,Wel- ■:(,, -;. Jingtori :. that : they .had; not a.. library worthy :-. 'V?^- t V , ,city./; Something also, was wanting ~ ■:.■,-; B n-the nature , of a :, public art gallery.'"- ",' !;;'.'.;.; Councillor Devine;.expressed hisV pleasure ,-.- , -v;it i being, again;. allowed-to sit.among his qld Vi,, ..■coUeagties, and;to, : bo:of.,s.ervice'to the city, .■■<;-,;.■/. Dr. Newman 'said•::..that'-" Mrs. Newman ■■;■ wopld ,be gladito -do all in her : power for .'?-.■;.- the. good lOiltihe ■ ciij. ; : ■ --^ '■/:■■ ?,- :;v-I ;.;: s; v . ■ v r ;,«,The;ceremony;;concluded by:.hearty cheers ~ ■:■ pemg.grren. for the 'outgoing'and in-cominsr f' , :.-'.'Mayors. <-;V; :::r\-::; : : ■:;,.;.'■.•; -;'.;! ; .: ■:■/" V COMMITTEES. ■ ,v;v. COMPANIES ! MD : i ;;;■■'"yV^(-;-.;^/>;;^THB:-<X)lii|^L.' : " ; -;/.^' : -; :■■ ; / :-■.';>,■ v t Tie;council then to "-set up lie' '■■■{■!.. "Saridus '■ committees. ; ■-~-■'.:■ .; ;■; yi ~,, .■■ -: -..);; ■ .;. Councillor Cannichael ■ moved': That. W . .'member of jie-council-.who was a'member of ■;:;;:■: • -limited liability company.'should sit on ;.■ committees. ■■ .', ■;■.-'•. : v'•..-■";' , : ; v . ..'.- .4 ■.•.:.;;;'.This;-ifae 'seconded;by'iConnciUor iliiarea; 'Luke. said:he : ; .waa ' 'glad ;: the' .-..'/.-■■■-...jna'ttox: had been brought .up, as it-would give' ~-:; an .opportunity of, explanation. ■ He remarked ?,;H; that-Dr., Newman; was' a 'member of such a V/.'Cpmpany—ho 'did'not.know if he still was— ;;.;.:;and.ii:;the;motion;Tvas carried he might not ■■.;■;.;;'-..Mt.jui the chair now; He (Conncfllor Luke) •r■;-.■• :: was a member of a.joint stock,company, and ;\:--,vf : eeVtodk it : as,' an * attack 'upoa% members .■*.<£ mo'couDcil whohad ■ carried but. V their :.- : -": : ? jjjties in '.an : honest, : 'straightforward way. ■■;- '■■ ■■:■ The : pffect;of■ this..mdtiori-wduld"bo to shut , ■ :'(;Jnany.i-m<m out of 'tie -public service. .■•Hβ Tβ- , ■■'.■:' xiparked: that Cquncillpir'M'Lar<ai ; ;was in an ■--.:,;anomalous .position, as he .was the direct re-. :,/;;.;■ presentative.and secretary■.qfroettaiE mdons . :■. 'rand --dealt.; with questions : . .affecting - •'hose :;■:>,; unions. ■; Ho' wished to :say thafcho had never .. .-■•,-. yet, known; any; cduncillor to : , do anything to ■■.'.- :^-advance private -infereete •■•against i; :; .. the common : gopd." (Hear, ; hear;)'v"Lam , not :;■,-•." gomg<to..stand down,".; declared :the speaker,' .; ■'.:., .1 had a declaration, from 'the people a week ■w. :;:;«SP- w carry "put :th'e;.-duties ■ for the next two ■1,.-;; ijain;going, to:stand! for any com- :.; ■..'mittee my;namo;is down' for." :■ :?• ■■■•■: ;.;;;:> Councillor M'Laren.expiained that'lio had .:,;; ..neveri.: sat;upon committees , : that.dealt with ~-. .-.matters■.affecting unioßs he .was connected ■:..■.■.-' Jflth./i' ! :;V' '•'.•ii J .\ ■■■■■■:..■..■:■■:■::;■ -.;.■ -■; J-v ; ;> ; took:tho"■ motion' as a■ ;:;,;: /elapjafc tomself/ as: he happened to be con-' • ; ■'^^^^; w^;,a :■■ c o^lP. ail y. , had a contract with^ther-councilv'.- Hd:;mentioned ; that last '■;■■■■■ year ■::.: -between, :£2OO, and, £300. ~"Arc we "he ■<P 5: to bo: debarred; from, acting: <m the .; -ims: Act clearty ,md, SiXictly ;;■,,.. etato,.toat ; .memb<M.i : ;df.;; : Imiited- . liaMitv to a ? ;:■ : . ; . J : Me .mentioned that on ono;occa'3ion, as.ho was :H;^Si^ on , ,i "»:»'l! w.connection ~;,:-. mtti the; fire brigade, . : his .firm offered .throe - ~ v iimes-ae- much for_'somo old material' as any ;A:..-' ,; ?F.^j;™^VandHneir'^^der;-;ivas ,: acceptcd. -:. ; ■:. I P^^ T 9 n^ say! wo-bffered-too' much ; : -v: 1 ,:Ior iv',/he. : addod.^i;: ;^.vr.':'v-; (;i:.'^j' : -■■■ " j ; v^.;:;Councillor Morrah; ; eonsideTed:'the -motion ;.-A\,:- quitojyinnccessary,,as whonovpr ■' -tin "point ..,:;. cropped. flp;.at a committee: meeting,; fcho : ■ councillor {interested retired .from'the room ■ : :'■'-' "■' :^W * saW- his exporionco was : ;,■.; Wat;thel lowest;tendor : : was aIA-ays'/acceptcd. .-■V;/.Councillor Smith said ho.wasinota-member :-, y . of^a^limited. liability;.company;:. -'and;■ Hij did ,:.,-,... not tender,-hut io was sure, no "favouritism :, - was shown;' The icMlution was'-a-very'unfair ■■■"■ '■ : ono : / H^, TOuid xertainly .vote against it ■-.•■■;.-■.- Councillor. Huidmarsh : said :«iat no. harm i: , ;.-;.; was dono;.;in..bringing'the; matter up, but ho ts ,[-M notjsuggestv.that.any impropnoties had '■'->■':' ■; been v cpnimitted. '■■ .'•,.;, ; / ■:.}■. ■■■■,;.-■-::.■ ■.-'■ ■' saidit a large -~..% .Aonesfcion,-.'arid;he. regretted;the coming of the ':;~'i\-\: first disoordant'ndtei'^ 1 ."■'::'• ~" -

Councillor Atkinson hoped that the mover and seconder would allow the matter to stand over. ■ . ' ' ' '' ' ■ ■ Counoillor ShirtoEffe regretted the fact that the motion had- been brought forward, and he suggested ite withdrawal. He saw no possiblo objection to any member of a company acting on a committee. Councillor Ballmgor hod acted on a committee, and ho know that Councillor Ballmgor had never allowed his personal interests to influence him. Ho could say the same of Councillor Luke. : Councillor Luke explained that whenever his firm's tender came before a oommittee upon which ho sat ho had always retired. (Hear, hear.) • ' /Councillor Carmichaol said ho had no per- : Eonal feeling in tho' matter; he only o b-. ■jected on principle. Contracts had been' performed by companies, of which councillors wero members, without calling: for tenders. Hβ asked leave to withdraw tho motion. . • This was agreed to. Tlio Mayor roso to make an explanation. Councillor Luko had dragged his name up, but he wished to give an emphatic denial to any impression that he was connected with any company whatever that would deal with this council. '•:."■ .'•■. Councillor Luke said that he did not want to cast' any reflection on the Mayor. "WTiat he'had said was that the Mayor had been a member of a company,' and' he still, might bo: he did not say ho was. ' ■,' '•■' A motion affirming tho principle that each councillor should" servo on three committees was lost. ■■■- '■ . On the motion of Councillor Luke, the committees were sot up as follow:— ,-.- Finance and .Property.—The chairmen of standing committees. • ■■: Power Station and Tramways.—The Mayor and-Councillors BaUinger, Frost, Fletcher, Hindmarsh, Shirtoliffe, and Smith. V : Bylaws, Fire Brigade, and Street Lighting. -^Councillors! Balllhger, Cohen, Oarmiehael, Derine, Luke, Smith, and Trevor. Bathe and Crfcy .Reserves —Councillors Cohen, Frost, Fletcher, Luko, Morrah, Shirtoliffe, ;and Smith. ■ \ ■ -.-', Abattoirs, Milk Supply, and Public Health. —Councillors Atkinson, Devine, Fitzgerald, Fletoher, 'M'Laren, Shirtcliffe, and Smith. .. Legislation, Reclaimed Lands, and Cases. ■'—Councillors Atkinson, Cohen, Oarmichael, Devine, Frost, Hindmarsh, and Morrah. Libraries.—Councillors Atkinson, ' Cohen, Fitzgerald, Fletcher, Hindmarsh, M'Laren, and Trevor.;"'.;' \■■. ' . ■ ;,

Outlying Districts.—Councillors Fitzgerald, Frost, Devino, Carmichael, Hindmarsh, Morrah, and Trevor. Markets. —Councillors Ballinger, Carmichaol,'. Frost, Hindmarsh, M'Laren, Smith, and Trovor. > Gas.—The Mayor, Councillors Fitzgerald, Fletcher, Luke, Morrah, Shirtcliffo, and Smith. ONSLOW. - " HEALTHY PROGRESS. Tho ceremony of \ installing the Mayor, of Onslow (Mr. J. G. Haikness) was attendod by Councillors Lynnoberg, Kiernan, Carver, Darval, Ferguson, Bannister, Apliu, Stafford, and Plimmer. Tho Mayor and councillors signed the usual declaration on commencing ofiice. Councillor Lynneborg. v congratulated the Mayor on his To-olcction, "which, ho said, was g-atifying to all well-wishers of tho borough, uring ,tho last two years the borough had made healthy progress, and land speculators had not dono much,harm there. Tho only tbing\now wanted was a better train service. Ho hoped that tho happy relationship which had existed between tho old council and the Mayor would bo oontinued in tho caso :of tho now council. Ho: wished tho Mayor much success in his term of office.

Other councillors expressed themselves in similar terms.

Thtf Mayor said ho.hnd originally stood for 'the Mayoralty",because he thought it was the dutyi'.'.of; any man , who .thought himself, at all; competent; to ■wish; to serve tho.' borough 1 his best to promote the interests of stho- borough during the-past , two-years/ and would do so in the 'future... Hp ! :.urfed , ' l 'tW I "&'uncmors to ;bear. and,.fprebear with respect to differences ,of opinion. .If they, did that-they would trans act their business with harmony and -credit to the borough. (Applause.) ': ; ■■>'■ :<■'■ ■■; Thd following committees wore elected :— finance: Councillors Bannister, Plimmer, aid Stafford. ■.'"■"..'. : ■ '. .■■-;■•. ).. ; Sanitary, -Lighting,) and Drainage:. Councillors Kiernan,: Carver, .Aplin, VFerguson, and Darval... ■■ ::■■'.,• ■..'Works: Tho entire' council. V. ■."'-.. ;■'. Councillor Ferguson woddhaye withdrawn from tho. Sanitary, Lighting, and Drainage Committee,--.but'was not allowed..'. •.':,"-.....• :''H ; ;,-:,.:. : ";: i .'Ei*STB6IJRNE 1 ;1 "'.' "; "■■';•' -;: .;:WOEKS ; TO BE DONE.■'.,' " V...' : ITie^'newly-elected ,. Mayor and councillors of the Borough of. Eastbourne, formally took I up. their responsibilitiea yesterday aftomoon, at ia meeting in. Mr. J. D. .'Avery's offico in the. city. .■•-. The-ex-Mayor. (Mr. ;F. G, Bolton) opened the proceedings, and presided at the installatida of his Mr. John Barr. Councillors J. .Foley, W. J. Organ, S. G.' Ross, ;P.,';Russell,, : l' , .'Wflla,: and D, Robertson were'presents : '■'■ Y ■':.■. . ■■'•:. ... ..',. : Mr.. Bolton thanked the old council for the courtesy shown him during'the three .years of his Mayoralty. : To .the good.work done by'them, and by the Town' Clerk, the fortunate position of the boroiigh affairs was very largely .'due.... The. new: council began ■ with a credit balance. -The assets, comprising rate 3 collectable, and balance of' Government, subsidy, were £316 15s. 9d. The liabilities were £192 Bs. 4d. to the bank, and ■£15.25;. 3d.. to sundr/ creditors, total £207 10s. 7d. --When tho outstanding rates to March 31 last were collected, there would be a cash, surplus of £109 ss. 2d. The position was even better than these figures indicated, because the current month's liabilities, wore already discharged.-: Ho thought the financial position spoke volumes for, the management of the old council. Among the works to bo done by the /new council, the chief were tho water supply and sanitation. In the,formed matter, the foundations had been laid by tho locating of a source of supply, and_ taking ..step's towards: arranging :;for boring-. , If -tho supply was obtainable from tho. source located, the rest would bo easy, and: it' : would, bo,for thp % council to v decide as to the. best and i cheapest, way: of reticu-. lating tho borough. - It was not without rogret that ho relinquished his connection with the borough, but he considered' that threo years was long:enough for ono man to,be. Mayor.' : ■~■' -, ",'- : : ..'..'..-." ... .■' .■ .' '.: ; .

'. The now Mayor, who, on'taking his place,] was!, applauded-by the councillors, -praised the work <jf tho former Mayor and council; Hβ: could not claim to: have the legal and other A quali(ications .of /Mr. Bolton, ..but .he .thought that the present state of affairs was 1 such that'a man! of less calibre could satisfactorily , fill tho positions He would try to carry on the policy of tho old council, and ho would rely much upon the knowledge and ability of the Town Clerk, Mr. Avery. Among matters to: be attended to wero the framing of by-laws, .improvements in the ferry sorvice: (■which-were, to some extent assured), water supply '(in regard to which 'a-.'good beginning _had been" made), v and -the oYection of a Town Hall, which should be an unpretentions structure,! but capable offuturo enlargement..._/ ;.•'.■ ' .■ .■ -■■■

jlr; Bolton mentioned that tho! by-laws 'wore already proparpd,- and' .that. without' any : oxpense. to-the •ratepayers.- Ho would bo; glad toassist tHe Mayor and council 'with advice or'information-.-at; any time.', i Councillor Robertson said , that he ..was asked to contest tho election for reform, but ho . decided, on . investigation, tliat the old council had been on tho ..right track. Mr. Bolton bad performed valuable: sorvicea to tlio borough, yand his advice'-would doubtless bo frecmently sougJit, ■ as ho was a true friend to i&tstbourno. • •■ -» ■ -The councillors ■ prosent then signed tho .statutory , -declaration;'.>• .■■■-■'.•■ : ■ t : Uommittees. woro'thoh elected as follow i ' Finance:' Councillors Robertson, Organ, and ■Wilis.-"-; : ■ : '. Public Works: The wholo council. . r •;By-laws: Councillors Foley, Wills,- Russell, and Mackenzie. " " '• It 'was : resolved , that-thoVcouncil's ovcr r draft at the bank should not exceed ,£7OO. : Mr. I' , : |6.' Bolton was appointed. legal adviser, to, the council. '■, • ■■'■-.. - -. , ■ i.-. It was .resolved to hold the moetinge of tho i-councfl; at--Eastbourne on tho ssoond Satur-

day in. every month at 8 p.m., and to bold a ineoting on May 15. ' .

MIRAMAR. TRAM FABES AND LOSSES. Tho statutory ineoting of the Miramar Borough' Council in connection with the in.vestituro of the Mayor and councillors was held at the Borough Offices, King's Chambers, at noon yesterday. Tho Mayor (Mr.C. Crawford), and the full council—Messrs. Bell, M'Leod, Brodie, Peterson, Cooper, and M'Clellan—were present. After he and the members of the new council had signed tho statutory declaration, his Worship the Mayor (Mr. Charles Crawford) said he would like to make a few explanatory remarks regarding'those works carried forward from the old: council and the new work which lay ahead. Tho question of tho Harbour Board's works at Miramar need not trouble thorn, as it had been dealt with fully enough in the press. The only thing that' appealed to them was the street works in, connection therewith, which should bo got on with as soon as possible. Though the,board need,not commence that work before the end of tho year nor finish it before June 30, 1911, the boaTd must bo induced to realise that it must make a start at once if it was to complete in time. The offioers of tho board had the plans in hand. It was quite clear now that an industrial area,must be'oreated in the vicinity of the Miramar wharf, and the means must be provided of conveying the 5000 tons of coal fier annum that would be needed by the Wellington Gas Company when it established its_ works at Miramar, as it was through this means that the board hoped to get a return on the expenditure involved in building the wharf. The question as to the laying down of tram rails from the wharf to Miramar Avenue cropped up in the Act, and it was there laid do.wn that the Harbour Board was to lay the rails on tho wharf, and the council had agreed to lay them down to connect the wharf with the industrial area referred to., A controversial matter was that regarding the tram fares in the borough., The general proposal—the popular one—was that there should, be no increase in the fares, that the increase already made (on the Miramar section) should be taken off, and that -the whole of the loss of the tramways should be borne by the rates. Estimates which had been prepared Bhowe'd that if the affairs of the borough were managed very economically during the present year a rate of from ljd. to 3d. in the £ would be needed .to meet losses (including the interest on the'capital expenditure). If they cut things down, that position would be maintained, but there was always the demand for bettor services—street lighting, etc. —that would force theVates-still higher. A start must aoon be made with the water and sewerage , scheme which was going'to involve an annual cost of £3000 a year that would entail a rate of from l}d. toljd. in tho £. Tho outlook was a serious On the other band, the borough was a progressive one that promised' well for the future. The' Public Health Department was.being asked to-re-commend to. the council the latter'e acquisition of four acres of land near the city jboun-, dary for a sanitary site. It was proposed to' raise a special loan for the pnrpose. . The proceeds of that sale would be really given to the mopping up of any losses made during the past three years, and would be available during the n,ext month or two. It would pay off tho debit balances, _ and start off tho finances of, the now council.in. a sound oondition. These four acres were really a subsidy given to the tramways in case of a loss by the'late Mr. H.D. Crawford. This land was vested_ in ..trustees, and as the borough did not wish to sell the land, it proposed to raise a £3000 loan on it, which amount would be debited to the sanitation account. It was estimated that of the passengors carried by tbe trams only \25 per cent, were residents within tho borough, and the position was this—that they we're putting a rate on their own district, or rather the debit was created by carrying at a loss 75 per cent, of city'people who; had nothing to do -with tho: borough.. ; ;, ThoY suburban ; .lines were.-o.njy feeders to ', tho main lines—and it was onlythe main lines that paid. What was the position; of KUbirnieP..The'city would have,to I maintain the same, service if we'wore not ;at the other end, and that service continued over our lino (cit Iβ. a milehaulage) meanta dead loss! The bity was malting the profit and they were'bearing.the burden. .■.' He would' suggest that the council should approach the city'authorities and ask them to thrash this matter out with the hope of some relief from; the burden they were so unfairly bearing. During the.recent election,. he was pleased, to say that the question of tree-planting had' cropped up. That. there had been a good ,deal of vandalism in the past was regrettable. ;t>ut ho was inclined to/sayf "Plug away, and do tho best we can." 'Ho mentioned this matter, :qs no effective planting! could be done later than Juno, and urged tho council to regard it as an urgent matter. It was decided to hold the fortnightly meetings on alternate Thursdays to those on which the Wellington City Council-sat. A committee meeting will be held on Tuesday evening next, and; tho first- -meeting of tho council on Thursday evening nest. On Saturday afternoon the members of'the council sto to dine with the Mayor at Fabian's,' and afterwards take a stroll about,tho borough, chiefly with tho view of locating places tliat could with .advantage bo' picturesquely planted.- '■' . ; ,- ; ... ! . r ■-■"; KARORI. \ L Tho statutory meeting of tho Karon Borough Council, held last night, was attended by Councillors Raine, Cathie, Weddo, Spiers (old councillors), Welling, Hildreth, Burn, and Staudcn (now councillors) ■ lha Mayor,- Mr. CI. Dasent, said ho had' groat pleasure in welcoming all members of the new council. "Those who'had sat at the council table before had done good work, and they could'also'expect'the new councillors y> acquit themselves-'well. .: He asked'tho council to give him their assistance in conducting tho business of the-borough, and doing what was best for the district. If this wore dono. and ho had no doubt it would be; they; should be ablo to "give a good account of thoirwork at the end of tho term. Councillor Cathie said he was glnd to welcome the Mayor back, and ho thought'.that tho contest, which had been throughout a happy oiio, had done the borough a great deal of good.. Ho also extended a hearty welcome to tho'new councillors. .. "..'..', '■'■

_ On behalf.'of tie new members, Councillor F. D.; J. Walmsley thanked the council for their welcome/ ■ ; Tho following committees wore set up:— - _Financo: The Mayor, Councillors Raine, Cathie, and .Walmsley. '. ■ ' .■Tramway and Coaches: The Mayor, Councillors Hildroth, Spiers, and Raine. Works: Councillors Weddo, Spiers, Burn and - Welling. : ' • Sanitary:-Councillors Welling, Burn, Hildreth, and Standen. ■■'■■ > ; ,The Mayor, Councillors W«ddo, Walmsley, and Raine. -. . .. Lighting: Councillors Walmsley, Cathio. Spiors, and. Welling. ■ . i -Recreation Grounds: Councillors Spiors, Welluig, and Wedde. : .. . . . !

OTHER BOROUGHS (by telegbath—special corkespondeht.) i '•-■'■ Hastings, May 5. T the chair, the Mayor (Mr. T.' J. Thompson), in tho courso of his address, said that Hastings had arrived at a stago when men of ability with love] hoads wcro needed to conduct tho municipal affairs. That improvements woro, necessary was endorsed by. tho fact that thoy wcro all elected on a progressive ticket, which meant that they wero-expected to secure tho progress of: tho town by providing, all tho convonionees of an up-to-dato and progressive city. Tho first of these would bo tho sower and high pressure water-supply,'.and in order to secure thorn thoy must sink'all potty differences and present a united front-when they asked tho ratepayers' sanction for raising a loan. Ho hoped they would not haggle over details, but agree on the broad lines of the proposals for the sako of the town. (Br TiwaßfPtt—muse »ssocution.i '■'.' ■'■■■■ Chrlstchureh, May S. Tlie Mayor (Mr. C. Allison) was duly installed to-night. In tho course of a Bpeech ho expressed tho hope that the water power and-canal schemes would bo put in a good position , during the coming year; ' ■ ,<■