Installation of Mayor

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 79, 22 December 1892, Page 2

Installation of Mayor

The ceremony of installing Mr E. Goodbehere as Mayor in succession to Mr W. G. Haybittle who retires from office, took place in the Council Chambers at noon yesterday. The following were present — Messrs W. G. Haybittle, E. Goodbehere, and Councillors Carthew, Morey, Sandilands, Chamberlain and J. C. Thompson. On opening the proceedings, Mr W. G. Haybittle, the retiring Mayor, said he had much pleasure in congratulating Mr Goodbehere on this the occasion of his being installed Mayor of Feilding, and in doing so, felt sure the ratepayers will find in him all the qualities necessary to successfully carry out the duties of the office, and trusted he would meet with the same ready support that he had for the past two years experienced, not only from the Councillors but also from the ratepayers. And, at the end of his term, he would feel it had been not only a duty but a pleasure to fill the office and preside at the meetings. The speaker was sure he had always considered it aB such and now having vacated the chair, desired most sincerely to thank the Councillors one and all for the courtesy and assistance rendered him while holding the office. He felt confident that during his term they had all endeayoured to work to* gether for the common good, and though they might not at all times have agreed, yet those who have been in the minority have given away cheerfully and everything had, he was pleased to state, worked most harmoniously. This is very necessary, for if there is any jarring amongst the Councillors the result is that in the end the affairs of the Borough suffer. He therefore hoped that during Mr Goodbehere's term of office he would find the duties as pleasant to perform as he had. Before closing his remarks he would like to give an idea of what had been done during the past year, and the financial position of the affairs of the Borough at the present time. The bank overdraft after paying cash in hand into the bank is £221, rates uncollected about £70, and as Councillors were aware, their limit was £400 althogh in October he had to obtain another £100 to carry on until the rates were collected. The overdraft would have been considerably less, but owing to the exceptionally wet winter they were obliged to put on extra labour to keep the roads in anything like repair and a larger amount of gravel was used than in former years, 675 yards of gravel were spread on the roads during the winter at a cost of £75. Bepairs to Beattie street £68 18s 6d, painting bridges £16 13s Od, total £160 lls 6d. New work consisting of the following : clearing and oulverting, South and West streets, £29 5s Od ; for* niing and metalling railway line road, £39 7s Od ; stabs for protecting trees, £7 4s Od; culvert at mill, £16 8s Od; Warwick-Grey street corner, £10 0s0d; total, £102 4s Od. They had formed 39£ chains of footpaths, at a cost of £105 10s Od ; halt of which, £78 15s Od, had been contributed by the owners of properties opposite footpaths thus made; therefore it will be seen that besides paying clerical and working expenses they had spent £341 10s 6d in material and improvements. On the whole, with the limited means as their disposal they had as a body dispensed them very judiciously, and to the satisfaction of the ratepayers. It is considered by some that the time has now arrived when they should have a drainage and supply of water scheme initiated, also suitable municipal offices erected. It was needless to state that these objects cannot be attained unless the ratepayers consent to a loan of no inconsiderable amount. These are matters which will command the attention of the Council during the incoming year. He would again thank the Councillors most cordially for their kindness, and hoped they would extend the same 10 his successor. Mr Sandilands said he had great pleasure in endorsing Mr Haybittle's sentiments as to Mr Goodbehere's fitness for the office he has been called upon to fill at the unanimous wish oi the ratepayers. Messrs Carthew, Chamberlain, Morey and Thompson, likewise supported Mr Sandilands m his favorable comments respecting Mr Goodbehere, and alluded in graceful terms to the highly satisfactory manner in which Mr Haybittle had discharged the duties of his honorable office. I Mr Goodbehere then read and signed the customary declaration, and took his seat as Mayor for the ensuing year amidst applause from those present. The Mayor said he was greatly obliged to the members of the Council for the kind remarks they had made upon his appointment to the dignity and honor of Mayor for the ensuing year. The drainage and water schemes were most important, especially the former, which he considered required immediate attention. The Council next dealt with the following business : — Correspondence was read from Mr Valentine, requesting permission to erect a verandah in front of Mr Montague's Auction Mart, also a hitching post fronting the New Zealand Clothing Factory's premises, and it was resolved by the Council to grant these two requests. _ A letter was read from the Railway Commissioners, acknowledging receipt of the Council's request re the urgent need for enlarging the Feilding Goods Shed, and stating that the matter should have attention. Besolved, That the Council Chambers be closed from the 24th instant till the 3rd of January 1893. Mrs Wright's case was left with the Mayor to deal with. Some accounts were passed for pay* ment and the Council then adjourned.