WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1917, Page 1

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

AYEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28th

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

The Council held the annual meeting for the election of chairman for the ensuing year at noon.

There were present—Messrs H. Norman (retiring chairman), T. AY. Duff, B. AVard, J. A. Murdoch, R. AVells, T. AV. Bruce, J. Grimmond, and E. A. AVells.

The Returning Officer notified the election of the various members, all being present except Air S. G. Icvguson (absent in Australia).. AIR- NORMAN’S THANKS.

Air Norman, before vacating the chair, thanked member s for the courtesy and support shown*to him during liis term of office, which had proved a very easy one AA'ith their assistance the task had been made ii light one. He specially desired to thank the County Clerk (Air Evans) for his assistance. Without it- he would have found tlie position much harder to fill. ■ITo was glad to be able to state that the Council was' some £6OO better off than it was a year ago. This was mainly owing to members’ care in watching the expenditure. He hoped his successor would have as easy a year as he had experienced. He wished to express his regret- that the Government did not give the Council any assistance with regard to the Atikonm bridge. It (had ‘cost: the Council a certain amount fin deputations, but without avail. He hoped they would he more, successful in the future. NOMINATIONS AND VOTING

The cleric (Air Evans) took the chair and invited nominations for the position of chairman for the ensuing year. Mi* Grimmond nominated Mr Duff. Mr R. AVells nominated Mr AVard. These were the only nominations. The voting was was follows: ' For Air Duff—Ayes, Messrs Norman, Grimmond, Duff, Murdoch and Bruce; (Noes—Messrs AVard, R. AVells, E. A. AVells. 5—3. For Mr AVard—Ayes, Messrs AVard. Norman, R. Wells, E'. A. AVell s and Bruce. Noes —Alessrs Grimmond. Duff and Murcloeh. 5—3. Each candidate, receiving an equal number of votes, a draw in the hat was taken, when Mr Ward was successful, and was declared duly elected as chairman for the ensuing period.

Air AVard then took the chair CONGRATULATORY.

Air. Duff congratulated Mr. AVard on his election, taking the opportunity a;; Ihe defeated candidate to Be the first to congratulate him on lids success., IN promised him every support. Air R. AVells, a s the proposer, also took the opportunity of congratulating Air AVard, who had well deserved the honour by years of excellent service. Mr Murdoch also congratulated Air Ward. In his opinion a very difficult year was before them, one very difficult -in the history of the Dominion, and also in the Council. He promised the chairman every possible assistance. Air Norman said after nine years of service Mr Ward was well capable of filling the position ,and he trusted lie would have as an easy one as he (Air •Norman) had just experienced. Mr Grimmond said though he had

supported'Mr Duff, he felt quite sure Mr AVard would fill the chair to advantage to the Council, and to the very best of hjs ability. Air Bruce, joined in the good wishes, referring to the very difficult position the Council would have to face in the future. Air. Ward’s election was the reward of good and faithful service. Air E. A. AA’ells congratulated the chairman in his election. He felt that his past services had fully warranted the appointment. AIV AA’ard thanked members for the honour they had conferred on him that day. He did not feel that he had received any -more honour than Mr Duff had. He considered Cr Duff had received as much honour as the speaker had.that day, as the Council had given him as much support, and only the luck of the draw in the liat had given him the chair. He w-islied to express his opinion on the voting for the election of chairman. Fie bad no ii 1-feel-ing against Cr Duff. He had voted on ihe principle that each riding should have its turn. For that reason he liad always voted on the principle of giving each riding a turn. He would do his best to carry out the duties to the best of his ability. He was glad to have hoard the expressions of members promising their support, which lie was sure he would get. lie knew lie .would have the whole-hearted support of the. County Clerk, and he would be a tower of strength in enabling him to carry out bis duties. He would deal in as fnirmindod a wav with the whole of AVostland as lay in his power. Ho took office with the utmost good feeling with each and every member of the Council. He thanked them again very heartily for his election. Air AVard then moved a. hearty vote of thanks to the retiring chairman (Air H Norman) for his past- services. He bad been nine years a member of the Council and represented a large riding. Air Duff seconded tlie motion, paying a tribute to the success in which he had carried out his duties during a busy year. -. The motion was put and agreed to. Air Norman thanked members for their vote, stating he had done his best to further the. best interests of the, district as a whole. The Council then adjourned.

ROLL OF WESTLAND COUNTY .CHAIRMEN.

The following is the roll of the Westland County Chairmen since the inception of the present county system of local Government: 1876 — John AlcAVhirter. 1877 —H. L. -Robinson. 1878— J. Grimmond. 1879 John Lang. 1880— R. J. Seddon. 1881 — P. Dungan. 1882— John AlcAVhirter. 1883— P. Dungan. 1884— J. Grimmond. 1885— James Clarke. 1886— J. Al. McGoldrick." 1887— AIcL. AV. Jack. 1888— J. AlcGoldrick. 1889— A. Camming. 1890— John AlcAVhirter. 1891— John AlcAVhirter. 1892 Tho s Daly. 1894 J. Grimmond. 1895 Jas F. Byrne. 1893 John Staines. 1897 A. Camming. 1898— P. Dungan. 1899 Jas. F. Byrne. 1900— I;. Northcroft. 1901 — T. A r . Byrne. 1902 A. Clifton. 1903 J Grimmond. 1904 T’. AV. Duff. 1905 T. J. AlcGuigan. 1906 T. A r . Byrne. 1907 — T. AAL Bruce. 1908— 8. G. Ferguson. 1909 J. A. Murdoch. 1910— T. AV. Duff. 1911— T. AV. Bruce. 1912 J. Grimmond. 1913 S. G. Ferguson. . 1914 A. Clifton. 1915 J. A. Murdoch. 1916 H. Norman.