THE OLD COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 84, 17 April 1901, Page 3

THE OLD COUNCIL.

When the ordinary business of the Borough Council was concluded last night Cr Jones said ho could not allow the occasion to pass without saying a few words. Personally ho had been on the best of terms with Ilis Worship and all the other Councillors, 4gid although at times they had agreed to differ it had always boon in good part, and he wished to take this opportunity of thanking them all for their treatment towards him during his term of office. Tin’s was their last meeting, and all were going out; some were not socking ic-elcction, while the rest must put up with the fortune of war, so that there was bound to be some change in the personnel of the Council. For his part ho was glad that the now Municipal Corporations Act provided for these biennial elections, as it would keep the Councillors in accord with public opinion. In going out he could safely say that though quite ready to admit ho had made mistakes at times—for which of them were perfect—ho had honestly striven to do-his duty to the burgesses as a whole, and in rendering his stewardship into the hands of those who entrusted him with the confidence he did so feeling that, any shortcomings on his part did not arise at any rjitc from a want of interest in the affairs of the Borough. To tlie Mayor on his re-election lie tendered his heartiest congratulations. Sometimes lie had thought His Worship not quite far advanced for tlie younger members, but lie would say that there was no one who had the interests of their town more at heart than His Worship, and the Borough was to he warmly complimented on the fact that under the now .regime His Worship would still bo at tlie head of r ffairs to assist in working out tho i.esfinies of the town.

The Mayor said lie Imd been very fortunate in having such a good • Council to work with. Any differences they had wore merely in the seeking for some better way of having tilings done. There had been some criticism as to tho manner of dealing with tlie loans, but lie thought that Gisborne lmtl been very fortunate in having had a short dated loan, so that money for which other Councils was paying live and six per cent were obtainable at four per cent. Ho had two great objects before him in his position, one was tho persistent urging of tho rapid completion of tlie railway, and the other was tho Harbor Board, both of which subjects ho referred to at 'some length. He hoped that next year they would have a better spending power; as it was they had a good stock of property, and their loans wore not great. He was always willing to receive suggestions, and that of Cr. Kennedy as to tarring met with his warm approval. But the real trouble in that respect was want of road metal, and if tho County Council did not push on with tho obtaining of a traction engine, tho Borough should make an effort to have one of its own.