MAYOR OF GISBORNE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 891, 14 May 1903, Page 4

MAYOR OF GISBORNE.

£> INSTALLATION CEREMONY

The formal installation of the Mayor took plate at the Borough Council Chambers yesterday, when Mr John Townley was inducted into the Mayoral chair for the fourteenth time. There were present Crs Harding, Miller, Hepburn, Whinray, Lysnar, MorrisoD, Jones, and Somervell. Oil the motion oE Or Hepburn, seconded by Or Jones, Or Whinray was voted to the chair.

The Chairman said he was sure it rr.ust be a subject of extreme gratification, not only to Councillors, but to burgesses generally, to have Mr Townley again installed as Mayor. The Council especially appreciated it. His Worship had given his earnest attention to the business, and was in a position to direct them and to give them all information in detail, and with the information at his command be greatly accelerated the business of the Council. He (the Chairman) was sure there was no man in the community who would devote half of the time that their present Mayor did. It waa an object of extremo gratification to them to find that the amicable relations which bad existed during the last two years would continue. The good tact with which His Worship mot opposition was very pleasing to Councillors, and the speaker was only expressing the opinion of the Council when ho said that they could not have a man better qualified to fill the office or devote half of tho time that His Worship did.

Mr Townley having made tho usual declaration, the Chairman, in vacating the cliair, said: Anything further I could add to what 1 have said would he superfluous. I have much pleasure in introducing you to the Mayoral chair again, and trust you will have a prosperous year of administration. (Applause.) The Mayor, who was applauded, thanked Cr Whinray for tho very Haltering remarks. It was a good deal owing to the Council that there had been a walkover this year. It was a proof that he had got on very well in the conduct of the business of tho Council. Whilst, in coming to tho Council, it was their duty to discuss every subject brought before the Council to the best of their ability, they threshed it out in a very friendly way. Opposition was good in all directions, and they had it in the Council. The borough was now in a better position to do its work than in former years, but Micro was still a great deal to do. It was duo to the economy the Council iiad exercised in the past that they enjoyed tho presont position. They had no heavy debt, and there wore no heavy interest charges upon the borough. Their revenue was available for tho wliolo of their works with the exception of a little by way of interest for overdraft. He would endeavor to work as they had done in the past, getting the very best that they could for their expenditure. At any lime lie would ho pleased to meet any objections ill tho Council and to receive any fresh ideas. It had been hinted that ho was getting rather old. Unfortunately, they were all getting very old, but he was always willing to hear and receive any now ideas. (Hear, hear.) With that view he would work during the current year, and at tho end ho hoped they would bo able to look hack with pleasure on the work done. When they looked round Gisborne and saw the limited revenue the Council had, it would be admitted that very good work- had been done. The rents had been doubled, and altogether their work had now largely increased. Tho borough work included cleaning up tho town and attending to the nightsoil, for which there wore no extra charges. In some parts of Auckland the ratepayers had to pay £1 a year for the nightsoil business. Here, whether East End or West End wero dissatisfied, they shared alike in tho revenue. Years ago some Councillors thought they should divide the borough into wards, and ho was glad to see that some boroughs which had boon so divided had come hack to tho old system. Tho present system was tho host, as the revenue was not divided, and it could be expended where needed. In conclusion, His Worship invited Councillors to dinner at his residence that ovening.

Or Harding, as one who had sat with Ilis Worship for many years, said he could not let the occasion go past without .saying a few words. Ho congratulated tho Mayor on his return to the chair which ho had tilled so worthily for many years. It must bo gratifying to His Worship, and also Councillors who had sat under his control that tho ratepayers had been so satisfied, and any gentleman who was eligible for tho position must havo thought the matter out, and concluded ho could not giro the time to tho position. Tho ratepayers were not bad judges, and there was not a man in the district of Poverty Bay who could afford tho time that'His Worship had given to tho service of the pulie as a Councillor and Mayor of this town. (Hear, hoar.) There was not a Councillor who had not given Mr Townley tho credit that lie had always faced the difficulty and had done the best as far as his ability carried him. Ho had no axe to grind, and everything his Worship hud done was for the good of tho borough in which he lived. Cr Harding hoped the good relations would continue as they had done in the years in which the Council had Leon under tho Mayor’s control, and he was certain the Council would all work in harmony for the interests of the people they represented. In concluding, Cr Harding wished Mr Townley a prosperous year, and that his Worship, Mrs Townley and family would enjoy tho best of health.

The Mayor having thanked Councillors ’or their good wishes, the proceedings :ermiuated.