MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2714, 20 December 1882, Page 3

MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS.

CHRISTCHURCH. A special meeting of the City Council was held at noon to-day. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Hiorns, Louisson, Brice, Bowman, Jenkins, Reese, Kiver, Prudhoe, and Ayers. The business before the meeting was the installation for the second year of his Worship the Mayor. His Worship said this was a special meeting called under the Act, to instal the Mayor. As he had filled the office on the previous year, the proceedings would simply be of a formal character. He would now sign the declaration. This having been done, his Worship said —Gentlemen,—Having now entered upon my second year of office, I take this opportunity of thanking you for the diligent and earnest attention you have devoted to the business of the Council, and the cordial and courteous treatment you have accorded to me during the past, which I feel assured you will extend to mo again during the present year. I also return my heartfelt thanks to my fellow citizens for the great honor in permitting me again to occupy this high position, without contest, for a second year. I feel proud indeed of this great confidence, and it shall be my earnest endeavor, as hitherto, to make them feel that their trust has not been misplaced. [Cheers.] At the same time, I am conscious of many shortcomings in my endeavors to perform’; the responsible duties this office imposes upon me, but I can truthfully say that my actions have been, and shall always be, guided by a honest desire for the best interests of the city. In reviewing the city improvements effected during the past year, I cannot say that my hopes expressed last year in respect to thpm have been realised. First as to a water supply. At the request of a great many influential citizens, the Council for the third time considered and adopted a scheme which, in my opinion, was in every way* suitable to the requirements of this city, but the ratepayers thought otherwise, and again rejected it. Of course the Council would not be justified in bringing this question up again till the ratepayers show a more general desire to support it. I also expressed myself in favor of a public market, which I am still of opinion would be a great public benefit. A very central and suitable site has been reserved for that purpose, which in its present state is anything but creditable to the appearance of this city. I feel sure that a suitable building could be erected for not exceeding L3OOO, while I am confident that t e revenue would pay interest and soon exceed it. I take this opportunity to say a few words about our troubles in connection with our Municipal Act. I believe it is the general opinion that it is too complicated and cumbersome, and must become more so as continual amendments are added. It bristles with too many technicalities, which makes the bringing into operation of any by-laws very costly and troublesome. The Act should be much simplified, and public bodies should have more scope for discretion and use of their good judgment as to their wants. At present our powers are confined to the carrying on of routine business only. “Whatever success and nonsuccess may have attended our efforts in carrying out our trust, still it must be acknowledged that the past year has been an eventful one, and the successful holding of the New Zealand International Exhibition in Hagley Park will form an important page in the history of New Zealand. I trust that our action during the coming year will meet with the approval of the ratepayers. [Cheers.] This concluded the formal part of the proceedings, and the Council adjourned. At the request of his Worship the Mayor the Councillors present, together with the visitors, partook of n glass of wine. Those present were Messrs J. P. Jameson, F. Hobbs, J. Gapes, C. E. Briggs, Neil Black, &c.

Several toasts were given and duly responded to.

SYDENHAM. The Mayor of Sydenham (Mr John Joyce) made the usual declaration at noon this day in the Borough Council Chambers, and took his seat as Mayor for the ensuing year.

LYTTELTON. The installation of Mr S. R. Webb to the office of Mayor of Lyttelton took place this morning. There were present the outgoing Mayor, Mr Allwright, and Crs. Chalmers, Stinson.Weyburne and Dimond. The outgoing Mayor, who held the office eight times, five terms consecutively, briefly reviewed his work for the borough before leaving the civic chair. He now left the borough with a balance of some j£SGO to its credit, which, with the Council’s income would meet every liability, and leave a good balance. Since January, 18S0, over .£15,000 had been spent on permanent works in the borough, and he felt proud at being able to leave the chair and the Council knowing that the borough was free from debt. Mr Allwright also mentioned the faithful services of the town clerk and foreman of works. Mr S. R. Webb then took the chair, and spoke complimentary of the work of the retiring Mayor, saying he felt proud to follow in his footsteps, knowing that the late Mayor had worked well for the borough, and he found the borough in a flourishing condition. He concluded by hoping that he might live to leave the chair in the same honorable manner his predecessor had left it just now. KAIAPOI. Mr Edwin Parnham was installed as Mayor of Kaiapoi at noon, and he subsequently entertained the members of the Council at luncheon.