INSTALLATION OF MAYORS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2406, 21 December 1881, Page 3

INSTALLATION OF MAYORS.

OHEISTOHUBOH. A meeting of the City Council was held to-day at noon, for the purpose of installing the new Mayor in offioe. Present—His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. Gapes), Councillors Lambert, England, Cuff, Treleaven, Bowman, Vincent, Louisson, Hiorns, Ayers, Bishop, Thomson and Hulbert. The Mayor eleot (Mr J. G. Buddenklau) having made and signed the usual declaration, Mr Gapes proceeded to invest him with the mayoral chain, and, in doing so, made a few remarks to the following effect: — He felt sure that the rest of the Oounoil would give his Worship their assistance, and that the chain of office would hang lightly en his shoulders during the year. He would leave to his Worship almost the same legacy which he bequeathed to Mr Thomson on the occasion of his assuming the Mayoralty in 1877. On plaoing the chain on that gentleman's shoulders he then requested him to do the utmost in his power to put all the private streets and baok alleys of the city in as good a oondition as he possibly oould. A great deal of work had since been done in that direotion, but much still remained to be accomplished. Some of the back alleys were still a great nuisance in the town, and he trusted that when the time came for his Worship to vacate the chair ho would be able to say that, with the assistance of the Council, he had succeeded in putting these baok allies in a proper condition, and that the city of Ohristohurch was in a healthy state. |_A Councillor—"With a water supply"—Cheers] His Worship the Mayor having taken the ohair, confessed that he felt some diffidence in doing so for the first time. He knew that the responsibility attaching to the position was very great indeed, but he felt sure that he would receive the support of the Council in upholding the respect and dignity of the chair. He would say no more at present, exoept to express a hope that the ensuing year would be fraught with good results to the trust reposed in him. [Cheers,] This concluded the formal business. The necessary appliances having been introduced, Mr Gapes proposed the health of his Worship, which, having been drunk, was responded to in suitable terms. His Worship then proposed the health of the retiring Mayor, and the toast having been drunk, Mr Gapes returned thanks. Or. Thomson, as the oldest member of the Council, made a few remarks expressive of the general regret felt by the Council at the severing of their connection with a Mayor who had always acted in a straightforward, impartial and honorable manner. Several other councillors spoke in a similar strain. The health of the officers of the Council was drunk, and the proceedings terminated. SYDENHAM. The installation of Mr John Joyce as Mayor of Sydenham took placo in the Borough Counoil Chambers this day at noon. The retiring Mayor (Mr J. T. Brown) presided. Ors. White, Hall, Nicholl, and Webber were also present. Or. Hall, in a few appropriate remarks, proposod—" That the members of the Sydenham Borough Council beg to express their thanks for and appreciation of the kind and considerate manner with which his Worship the Mayor, John Thompson Brown, Esq., has for the past two years presided over them ; and now that he is about to vacate the chair, they hereby prosent in all sincerity the parting wish that he, Mrs Brown and family, may enjoy many years of health and happiness." The Mayor elect, in seconding the motion, bore testimony to the efficient and courteous manner in whioh the retiring Mayor had conduoted the meetings of the Council for the past two years. His Worship, in retiring from the position ho had filled, characterised it as two of the happiest years of his life. He rejoiced to nay they had always worked amicably together, and he desired to thank the Councillors for the hearty manner in which they had assisted him in conducting the meetings of the Council. Passing in review the various works initiated and carried out in Sydenham during that period, he regretted that many men had been out of work, and that that had keot them all back from what had been necessary, and prevented money being borrowed ; but he hoped the worst had passed away, and in taking leave of them he wished them God speed. [Cheers.] The Mayor elect then made and signed the usual declaration, which was duly attested by the councillors present. The retiring Mayor then vacated his scat, and the Mayor eleot, having taken it, roße and said —That he hardly knew how to express his feelings on this occasion. He hoped the councillors would assist him in preserving the dignity of the borough. They had beon especially fortunate in having bad such men as Messrs Booth and Brown to fill the ohair in the past. They were so near to Ohristohurch, that they had to be prepared to gave the burgeßses all the enjoyments of a citizen's life, but still they must take care not to too heavily fetter the ratepayers with a heavy loan, as they must remember they had that heavy millstone—the Drainage] Board—around their necks. He would just call attention to the mistaken "reform" in the Licensing Aot, whioh he was startled to fiud gave the oolony no less than 4000 Licensing Commissioners. For instance, Ohrisfchureh would have twenty and Sydenham five. A measure of reform was needed, but noi, such as they had reoeived. He would just call attention to the Drainage Board and education questions, objeoting to the present systems, but referring to the latter he thought a modi fled Board was neoessary. A public library too was needed, and speaking generally, too much time and money was Bpent in governing the colony. He esteemed it an honor that he occupied the present position, and would do his best for the advancement of the borough of Sydenham. [Cheers.] It was decided that December 26th and January 2nd next ensuing be kept as holidays, and that the next meeting of the Oounoil bo held on Wednesday evening, January 4fch, at 7 o'olotok. The proceedings then terminated.