MR A. CORKILL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 16 July 1924, Page 6

MR A. CORKILL.

PFBLICLY HONOURED. A -representative gathering of over sixty leading public- men of the town and county of Inglewood assembled at the Druids’ Hall, mgiewood, last night, when a smoke concert, was tendered to Air A. 'U’orkill, late chairman ref the Inglewood County Council, on his retirement for a period from active participation in local politics. All the speakers spoke in high terms of the splendid work done by Air -Gorki 11 during his twenty years in local politics, and general regret was expressed at his retirement, which it was hoped would only he temporary. Air J. R. Frewin (president oi the Inglewood Chamber of Commerce) presided, and 'read the following address, which, was presented to Mr Corkill:—

“As a tribute of respect, ancl also as some slight recognition of veur services to the town of Inglewood and district, we desire vour acceptance of this address. During your membership of the Aloa Road Board, for seventeen years, three years as chairman, and also your occupancy of the position of chairman of the Inglewood County Council, since its formation, we have always found you conscientiously carrying out your duties and helping in every possible way to advance the 1 progress and prosperity of the district. We desire to pay a. tribute to vour untiring efforts in the formation of the Inglewood County, which was due to your persistent work. Wc regret exceedingly your retirement from active public work, and hope that later on you will give the ratepayers a further opportunity of securing your services. .Til the meantime-,we trust that the spelL from activities will be beneficial to your health. With all good wishes on behalf of subscribers and the Inglewood Chamber of Commerce.” Air Corkill, who was enthusiastically greeted on rising to reply, first expressed his thanks, and stated that lie had not looked for anything in the' nature of that evening’s function. He had been actuated throughout by a desire to do something for the good of his country, a duty nc considered everyone owed. He, however, felt very much this mark of appreciation, particularly in view of all the opposition he had had to face, and the illuminated address would ever remind him of liis association with the formation of the county. Having arrived in New Zealand thirty-six years ago and having spent the whole of that period in Taranaki, he fully appreciated the difficulties of the pioneer settlers, having been through those difficulties himself. In those days there were few metalled roads, even, the Mountain Road just outside Stratford being unmetalled. In fact, one of his earliest recollections was seeing a butcher’s cart in the main street of Stratford noth a horse in the shafts and two bullocks in the lead, the first time he had ever seen a bullock in action.—News.