WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1928, Page 1

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, AIAY 23rd

ANNUAL MEETING'

The annual meeting of the Council was held at noon for the purpose of electing a Chairman. There was present: Messrs J. A. Murdoch (Chairman), B. Ward, AY. Searle, E. A. Wells, L. 11. Morel, AY. H. Chinn, T. R. Ohesterman, and J. Donovan.

Tl:b Chairman apologised for the absence of Mr Jeffries. Before vacating the Chair he thanked each and every member of the Council for the support accorded and confidence expressed by them during the year. They had had a very successful year. The Council stood -second to none in its position. He thanked Mr Evans and staff for the very abiie support given him during the year. They had had a successful year, with an absence of any very special iiood damage, so that they had been able to reduce thia bank overdraft very considerably. One and all of the members had worked very well, and the team work of thia Council had been of the best, and had proved of great success, all working together for the genieral advancement of the Council and district. Ho wished the new Chairman every success in the coming year, which promised to Ira a strenuous one. He again thanked members for their loyal co-operation during the year. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN.

Mr Evans (cleric) took the chair and invited nominations for the position.

Mr Murdcli nominated Mr Searlia. Mr Ward nominated Mr Wells. There were no further nominations, Mr Ward declining. The voting was as follows:

For Mr Searle-—Ayes, .Messrs Searle. Chinn, Donovan and Murdoch. Noes, Messrs Wells, Morel, Ward ami Cites-liTinan—4-4.

For Mr Wells—Ayes, Messrs Wells, Morel, Ward, Chesterman and Murdoch. Noes, Messrs Searle, Chinn, Donovan—s-3.

Mr E. A. Weils, receiving the most votes was declared duly elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

Mi' E. A. Wells took the chair and thanked members for electing him to the position of Chairman. He promised to do his best for the welfare of the County during his term of office. Before sitting down lie desired to express Itis appreciation of the work of the retiring Chairman (Mr Murdoch) during his term of office.

The Chairman moved a hearty vote of thanks he. recorded in appreciation of the services rendered by the retiring Chairman (Mr Murdoch). Mr Ward seconded the motion. Tie had always admitted that Mr Murdoch was of exceptional ability and his services were of great value to the Council. The work lie had done during the year had saved the members much trouble and at all times his advice had been of great value. Mr Murdoch and he (Air Ward) had entered the Council in the same year. Ho took the opportunity of congratulating Mr Wells on his election. He wished him a successful term of office, and promised every assistance.

Mr Ohesiorrnnn .supported the vote to the retiring Chairman, and joined in good wishes to the new Chairman for a successful term, of office.

Mr Morel congratulated Mr Murdoch on his very successful] term of office as Chairman. He liad done splendid work on behalf of tho Council. He also congratulated Mr Wells on his election and trusted he would have a prosperous year.

Afr Searle supported the motion, appreciating the able work of Air Murdoch. In regard to the new Chairman he had previously occupied the chair and ho was sure ho would do his utmost for tho advancement of the County generally.

Air Chinn appreciated the special services of Air Murdoch, his legal training being of very special value to tho Council. He was leaving the Chair with the Council in the best financial position it had been for years. lie congratulated AL' AYells on iiis election and lie promised hint every support during his term of office.

Air Donovan congratulated the. Chairman on his election, feeling sure lie would prove successful as lie had done on a previous occasion. He had a. difficult job to follow tlie very successful year of Air Murdoch. Ho hoped the new Chairman would bo able to make a trip south during his year, lie was sure the southern district would not suffer by his occupancy of the Chair.

Air Murdoch thanked the Chairman for his vote of thanks. He had taken the attitude he had in voting to prevent a tie and a pick out of the bat. He liad beeti elected once, on a. tie and a pick out of tlie hat, and had been termed the. Chairman of the hat, and ho had decided that lie would not vote in future to make a, tie if he could help it. For that reason he had voted for the Chairman to ensure ho was not elected, out of the but. Tf Afr Searle liad hail a majority of tile votes he would not lia\-o voted for Air Wells.

Alt' Murdoch sa-id before he. sat down lie wished to move a vote of thanks to Afr Evans and staff. Air Evans had been in the Council for longer years than any member. It was not necessary to say anything oi Die value of his services. The Council were receiving the very best services that A h- Evans could give and lie moved accordingly. Tlie Chairman seconded endorsing what Afr Murdoch had said. Afr Ward supported. Mr Evans liad proved of great reliability end value to tlio Council. He appreciated Mr Evans as a. man and his great work as a County officer.

Air Aforol said he had a' great appreciation of the work of Air Evans, and he heartily supported the vote of thanks. Air Chesterman said the work of AD' Evans seemed a pleasure to him. He had always found his work as an officer of tho Council as of tlie very best and always his advice was freely given. Air Searle supported the motion. Air Chinn freely recognised the splendid services rendered by their Clerk who was a great asset to the Council. Afr Donovan had the greatest admiration for the work of Mr Evans. Tho Council had a very efficient officer and he deeply appreciated his ser-

vices. The motion was agreed to on the voices. Air Evans, on behalf of tlie staff and himself, thanked members for their remarks which would lie appreciated by himself and staff. In regard to the road staff he heartily supported the report to be submitted by Air Alurdoch at the request of the Council. He thanked the councillors for thenappreciative remarks. He had been associated with the Council for 37,

years, ami this meeting was the 38th annual meeting at which lie had presided. References were made to the tvork of the Council, and he said lie felt they could appreciate tho services of tlie new Resident Engineer, Air Johnston. He was glad of the very pleasant relations that had always existed between the Council and tlie staff.

The Chairman also acknowledged tlie kind references made by members.

TENDERS. Tenders were opened as follows: SEDDON TERRACE EXTENSION. H. Winter £95 G. Cooper and party 170 J. Malonej’, Jnr 125 J. D. McQuilkin 112 AY. Clements 225 0. Douglas and party 320 Tlie tender of H. E. Winter was accepted .

AfcARTHUR. ROAD. Shannon and party £375 Fleming and Dimmick 400 Tlie tender of Shannon and party was accepted. At tlie request of AD- Chesterman. tlie Overseer is to he instructed to report on damage being done by the creek at Doughboy to tlie road. Tlie Council then adjourned. ROLL OF COUNTY CHAIRMEN. 1876 John McWhirtei 1877 H. L. Robinson 1878 J. Grimmond 1879 John Lang 1830 R. J. Seddon 1881 P. Dungan 1882 John MoAYhirter 1883 P. Dungan 1884 J. Grimmond 1885 James Clarke 188 G J. M. MeGoldrick 1887 McL. W. Jack 1888 J. M. MeGoldrick 1889 A. Cumming 1890 John McAVbirter IS9I John McWhirter 1892 Thoß Daly 1893 John Staines 1894 J. Grimmond 1895 Jas F. Byrne 1896 John Staines 1897 A. Cumming 1898 P. Dungan 1899 Jas. F. Byrne 1900 L. Northcroft 1901 T. Y. Byrne 1902 A. Clifton 1903 J. Grimmond 1904 T. AY. Duff 1905 T. J. McGuigan 1906 T. V. Byrne 1907 T. W. Brueo 1908 S. G. Ferguson 1909 J. A. Murdoch 1910 T. W. Duff 1912 J. Grimmond 1913 S. G. Ferguson 1914 A. Clifton 1915 J. A. Murdoch 1916 H. Norman 1917 B. Ward 1918 T. AY. Duff 1919 T. W. Bruce. 1920 J. A. Murdoch 1921 B. Ward 1922 AY. Jeffries 1923 T. AY. Duff 1924 E. A. AYells 1925 T. R. Chesterman. 1926 AY. Jeffries. 1927 J. A. Murdoch. 1928 E. A. AA’ells GREY COUNTY CHAIRAIAN. ELECTED UNOPPOSED. CREYMOUTH, May 23. Air A. Robinson was elected Chairman of the Grey County Council unopposed .