THE NEW MAYOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2184, 7 May 1908, Page 1

THE NEW MAYOR.

OFFICIAL. 1N STALL ATI ON. Tlio ncw-ly-clectcd mayor of Gisborne, 'Mr \V. 1). Lysnar, was oili•oinMy installed into the cilice at noon yesterday, a special meeting of the Borough Council being held for the purpose. There were 'present the retiring Mayor (Mr J. Townley), Crs. Bright, • l’ottio, Darton, AVhinray, Sawyer and Williams. Mr Town-ley called upon M r Lysnar to sign the following declaration : ‘•I, William Douglas Lysnar, do hereby declare that 1 will/faithfully and impartially, and according to the best of my skill and judgment, exccuto the powers and authorities vested in me as Mayor of the .Borough of Gisborne by virtue of the Municipal Corporations '"t 1900.” Tub retiring lydr, 'in vacating his seat, extended his congratitlations-to his. succesßOr and trusted that the good fooling that existed in the Council would continue.

Or. AVhinray said lie also congratulated iMr (Lysnar on his appointment. He had had a good schooling in municipal matters. Some hig schemes had been outlined in the recent mayoral election, but his advice was to go slow and carefully. Tho rates were already a considerable item and they should not work a willing horse too hard. ;Ho, did not think the town was yet able to bear the' ex'ponso of a big drainage, scheme and hoped it would nbfc he 'undertaken.

Cr. AVilliams also congratulated the Mayor, and assured him that any proposals brought forward- for the igbod of tlie town would have his support. 'Cr. Bright alr.o offored-his eongratu■hitions and felt assured tho Council ■would extend to Mr (Lysnar every courtesv and help.

Crs. iPettie, Sawyer and Darton expressed similar bentiments.

Air Lysnar, in reply, said he had feelings of both regret and pleasure. Begret that their old friend iMr Townley was leaving the chair, and he only hoped to he able to follow in Mr Townley’s footsteps. He thanked the councillors for their congratulations and felt that their work together would remit in good for the town. lie had no desire to he dogmatic or to unduly influence the Council, hut must look to his colleagues for aid in carrying out the duties of his position. Ho realised the question of drainage was of most importance in the town and- lie knew the Council had come to a decision last night upon a scheme." He could ■not question that decision, hut thought a more economical scheme should ho considered first of all. or more information obtained on the Shore system. He thought the Council should ask the overseer to report upon the cost of putting the roads into good order, and was of opinion the Borough should face a loan for the purpose. There was a need for a bridge from AATiataupoko to Haiti and. if built, a claim could he made on the County Council to contribute towards .the cost. There was also need for more recreation grounds and the question of municipal gas or electric supply, unimproved rating and the cost of a reservoir would have to ho faced. Ho was not anxious to occupy the office for any number of years, aiul if he had the confidence of the Council, it was probable he would not stand for a second term. It was a posjtion that should go ■around and- if the 'matters he had mentioned were carefully considered he would ibe willing to stand aside for another gentleman. He also t/houg’ht some liublic recognition should be made of Mr Townley’s services to the Borough. It had been -suggested tha t tho Council should give as niucfli as £SO to acquire some public ground or reserve and attach Mr Townley’s name to it. Something should certainly be done in that direction.