Installation of the New Mayor.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 197, 21 December 1893, Page 2

Installation of the New Mayor.

At the installation of the new Mayor (Mr W. Cartbew) yesterday, the retiring Mayor (Mr E. Goodbehere) gave the following interesting resume of the work done.during his occupancy of the Mayoral chair for the past year. " This meeting is to instal the newly-elected Mayor, but, before doing doing so, I wish to say a few words with reference to the finances of the Borough, and also touching upon the works of the past year. The overdraft at the bank to-day is £563 18s Bd. This a large sura, but it has been caused mainly in consequence of damage done by late floods, as at the halfyearly balance in September, the overdraft was only £230, as againat £354 at the corresponding period last year ; but against this thereare outstanding rates amounting to £200, and on Ist January theie will be receivable auctioneers' licenses, which will reduce the overdraft somewhat and enable the. Council to carry on until the new rate is struck. During my year of office there has been a very considerable amount of work done by the Council. The amount expended on hew works, including footpaths, amounted to about £1100, and in maintenance of roads, upwards of £400. This is a very heavy item, and is one that will naturally increase as more roads are constructed, but it has been heavier than usual this year owing to the floods, £50 at least, having been spent to repair damages to streets and fords. In the sum of £1100, for new works, is included the share of the Aorangi bridge, £789, This was a very necessary work, and has proved already a great benefit to the town and country districts. The flood before alluded to, destroyed the bridge at South street, which necessitated a much larger structure being erected. This is now nearly complete, and will prove a benefit to the Borough, although it somewhat cripples our finances for the time. Among other works carried out are, the Manchester street drain filled in, a work which has required doing for some years, Stafford street, Sherwill street (part), and Weld street formed. The Council at my instigation also purchased a section in Warwick street for the purpose of straightening the Makino stream above the Warwick street bridge which in my opinion is , a very necessary work and, notwithstanding certain opposition, I would strongly urge the Council to carry out Among other works have been the removal of the pound to the pound section, and the levels of the Borough taken. New Bye . Laws have been framed, which, notwithstanding uncomplimentary criticism on the part of some ratepayers, I think myself is a good work. Some mistakes may haye been made, but on the whole they are good, and will I think, be found so in the future. During my term of office this town has suffered from an epidemic, with which the Council attempted to grapple. They could not do much to stay it, but good has resulted from the appointment of an indepeudant Inspector of Nuisances who has done, and is doing, good work. I have also to refer to my success in obtaining the vesting of the Recreation Reserve in the Council for the benefit of the people, which is sufficient in itself to mark the past year with a red letter. I would also remind the Council not to overlook the promise on the part of the Colonist's Land and Loan Corporation to give, under certain condition a site for a Council Chamber and Library, which I also succeeded in obtaining from the company. Last Arbor day about 200 trees were planted by the public and fenced in by the Council, presented by Dr Johnston, Messrs Lethbridge, and Haybittle, they are, I am pleased to say, growing well, and I trust this work will be continued next year. In concluding my remarks I have to thank you most heartily for the very kind and courteous manner in which you have always treated me at the Council table, and to say that I shall always look back with pleasure to my term of office as your chairman. I have presided at twenty-six meetings during the year besides committee meetings, which shows, I think, that the affairs of the Borough have been carefully attended to. I leave the Council with regret and I hope my successor will have as pleasant a time as I have had, and that he will have the same feeling towards the Council when his turn comes to say, Good-bye."