BOROUGH ELECTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1445, 4 May 1905, Page 2

BOROUGH ELECTION.

INSTALLATION OF MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS.

The installation of Mayor ond Councillors for the Borough of Gisborno took placa at neon yesterday. There was a full, attondauco of members, Mr J. W. boiDg voted to the chair. "' ' Tlio declarations having been made by each Councillor, Cr Whinray said ho thought the burgesses were to bo congratulated on the result of the election. He saw before him old citizens who had boon identified with the progress of the place for many years. They hod a good working Council, who would have but one object, advancing Lbo interests of, the placo. Thero had boon some little feeling with regard to the Mayoralty. Thinking tboir present Mayor had boon thero long enough, be had at times endeavored to displace him, but on the present occasion, considering the important nature of the s works to bo undertaken, he had thought it inadvisable that they , should have a new Council and a new Mayor. He therefore had asked Mr Townley to accept nominat’on. He made this explanation because he thought he had valid reason for what he had done. There were important works before them, notably the introduction of the water scheme, and the devieiDg of ways and means for street improvements. There was no person in the community that could give half the time his Worship could give, and none that they could reasonablyexpect would do so. His Worship had the work of the Council at his fingers’ ends. Complaint had been made that his Worship allowed the Councillors too much latitude in debate, but he thought it was right he Bhould allow them some latitude in order that all questions might be 1 thoroughly discussed. Some of them had been called obslruetiouists, but they were 1 there with one object, the advancement of the welfare of the place. He had every confidence that they would work successfully and harmoniously together. Mr Townley, having made the nenal declaration, Cr Whinray remarked, “ On behalf of this Council and the bnrgesßes I welcome you to this seat again.” In the course of his reply Mr Townley congratulated members on being the firßt Council elected by the enlarged borough. They were now representing a very extensive borough and it was their duty to see that all pait3 were equitably treated. He quite agreed with Cr Whinray that had a good working Council. They were,not there to air their eloquence, bat to discuss the ways and means of getting over the difficulties that they had to face. The coming year would be one of great import- " anee. They had to initiate a water supply and fake over the abattoirs, now almost completed, and which would bo opened in a few days. With regard to the former the landbad been acquired, the money was at their disposal, and it required now the f appointment.of an engineer to enable the work to be proceeded with. Next Tuesday he hoped they would agree upon the appointment of an engineer, and decide to go on at once with the works. Cr Whinray had said so much to the point that he did not think be need Bay any more. He would be there punctually and regularly, and he hoped Connciliers would do the same. There was work of great magnitude to be done, and their means were limited. They could not get metal as they would like, and their difficulties in this respect would have to be overcome. He did not know 1 that there trad been any feeling in'regard § to the Mayoralty. There bad been none on his part. He was pleased he got in. ( He had been on the Council since 1877 and would continue to do bis' best. sincerely hoped that the Council would in the future a 3 in the past work mostharmoniously together. Cr Harding said that he could not allow the opportunity to go past without welcoming back to the chair one who had v filled it so ably for so many years. As one who had sat with the Mayor for many years he was pleased to see him[back again. He regretted the absence of some of the old members, who wonld be missed, but their places had been well filled, and they had plenty of energy. Ho hoped the Mayor would not givo too much latitude. They were there to do business,and should not be allowed to talk too loDg. If there j had been any foeliDg imparted into the contest he hoped it would be allowed to die. v , Cr Lysnar, who arrived at a late stage Jrj of the proceedings, stated that ho was > pleased to be present before the installation I closed. Particularly so as he had contested with their worthy Mayor the posi- 1 tion for the chair. He regretted as mueh „ as anybody in the town that it should be thought necessary to show opposition to a gentleman who had held the position so long. It was done without any personal feeling, and purely upon the grounds of principle. He joined hands in wishing well for the future, and hoped they would do substantial work. (Applause). He did not believe there had been feeling engendered through the eleotion. He wonld always work for the welfare of the town,., and to get the best results for theiri money. (Applause). They had beenii moving too slowly in the past, and he \ hoped to see something substantial ' dons next' year. On the subject of water "the vital question was now approaching. They did not want to buck or spoil a scheme because of any engineer. They should discard the personnel of the engineer and do what was best. If they did^* 5 I that it would not be long before they Bad"' water. The matter of the obtainment k)f at least two new bridges would have to lig faced. The town wanted a bridge to connect Whataapoko and Gisborne further up than the present one, and also one connecting Haiti and Whataupnko. The question of offices must also be considered. It was not right, with values- going uj>, that they should be without a site for permanent offices. It was no good thinking the present site on Bead’s Quay was suitable. They should all join hands to strive and get these things done, and to secure the advancement of their town. In conclusion Mr liysnar said, “I hope to make a speedy start and show no personal feelings at all. Everything in connection with Gisborne has my best wishes. I promise that I will do my very best so long as things are working satisfactorily, but I expect the Council to give theso matters their careful consideration. (Applause). V We must show to those opposed to ns that A there .is strong reason for the opposition offered against them. In the past members of the Council have voted against measures and given no reason for it, \ but this must not be allowed to goon. If a man votes sgainst a motion he must give a substantial reason for so doing.” Members must always be prepared to listen to reason and the only way to obtain the ‘ best results was to thoroughly thresh out all questions coming before the Council. (Applause). He would do his utmost towards this end. He heartily congratulated Mr Townley upon his election to the officß C--of Mayor. (Applause). Cr Bright, as one who had previously occupied a seat at the table, said he might be permitted to say a work or two.- He welcomed his Worship again to the position of Mayor, and congratulated the bitr- | gesses on the choice they had made. (Ap. piause). It appeared to him when casting his vote that it would bo a matter of the _ basest ingratitude to deoline the services of - one who had done such signal work in the past. He felt confident that the same integrity and activity that his Worship had shown in the past would be maintained in the future. From his past experience in ' the Council he thought it would be well if Councillors were held more closely to the \ rales of debate. If a Councillor was aware 2 that he had an opportunity to express any thouggt that oame into his head just when it came into his mind confusion followed. When they had to make their remarks concise, knowing that they would have but one opportunity to speak, it would tend greatly to the improvement of the manner J''' in whioh they did their business. (Ap. piause).

The Mayor hoving briefly responded the proceeding closed.