Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1928, Page 2

The remarks made at the annual meeting of the AA’estland County Council on AVednesday indicated the very cordial feeling that has subsisted over a very long term of years at the Council table. A remark was passed by one of the speakers in regard to the happy relations which had existed. Those who have followed the reports of the Council meetings will have a difficulty in recalling any very acrimonious .proceedings over a long term of years. In the earlier days, when there was a greater pressure of business due to the development work going on in the matter of roads and bridges up and down AA’estland, there were more protracted meetings than are now necessary. The proceedings invariably extended into the night, "and very often to tho next day. Probably the Councillors arc less loquacious than in other days, but at all events the Council deals with its business with a good deal of creditable despatch. Mr Afurdoch made a very appropriate reference to the team work which had been manifested, and perhaps that is the key to the situation. In the eulogies which were passed, well deserved praise was accorded the retiring Chairman, Air Alurdoeh, who has a good record to his credit for the year. Tho financial position reveal ft] at the lastj

monthly meeting, showed the Council to have come through the year with a surplus, which enabled the floating debt to be reduced. In addition, Mr Murdoch had helped in a practical way to keep down the interest charges on overdraft, and had laid the foundation for the Council’s material claim in respect to a refund on royalty payments. Afr AA’ells, who has again succeeded to the chairmanship, occupied that position some four years ago, and to again win the support of his colleagues is a tribute to his ability to serve the Council well in the important executive position he has been called on to fill. AL- AA’ells lias qualities which will enable him to preside in a very pleasant manner, and under his guidance and with the cooperation of his fellow councillors ho should have an agreeable year of office. Judged by present prospects, tbc Council should pass through a year no less satisfactory than the one which so recently closed.