A CIVIC FUNCTION

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1928, Page 1

A CIVIC FUNCTION

PRESENTATION TO MAYOR AND MAYORESS. OF A HANDSOME SILVER CRADLE A civic function of special interest took place in the Town Hall last evening being the presentation of a silver cradle to the Mayor and Mayoress (Miami Mrs G. A. Perry) in honour of the recent birth of a son and heir; the occasion being also taken to voice the appreciation of the services rendered to the town by Mr Perry for the past 17 years as Mayor, and by Airs Perry since her residence in the town. There was a very large and representative attendance at the Town Hall which was veil filled, upwards of two hundred ladies and gentlemen being present.

The Deputy-Mayor (Air Win. Jeffries) presided having the Mayor on his right hand and the Mayoress on his left, with prominent citizens also in attendance.

Air Jeffries in opening the proceedings said ho had first to thank the large assemblage for their attendance that evening to assist the members of Council, and to show in an unmistakable manner the popularity of the Mayor and Mayoress. It was not an unprecedented occasion in the life of tho Borough of Hokitika, as a previous Mayor had boon similarly honoured by the presentation of a silver cradle. He was glad to see such a large assemblage testifying ns it did to their appreciation of the efforts of their guests.

He then read - apologies for absence and good wishes from Hon. 11. L. Michel, Rev. J. W. Hayward, Messrs. If. C. Adams, C. Neville. J. J. Mclntosh, and T. E, Y. Secldon, M.P.

Referring to the occasion for which they had gathered Air Jeffries said he would first take tho opportunity of referring to the early history ol the town, the following interesting particulars being given:—

Hokitika was proclaimed a Municipal District on the yth. June, 1865; the election for members of the Municipal Council being held on the 3rd. October, 18(1(1. The following is an extract from the minutes of the first Municipal Council :

“Areeting of the Alunic-ipal Council of Hokitika, held at the Gridiron Hotel, on the oth October, 18(16. Present:— Coueillors Shaw, Cumivjing. Anderson, Clarke, Ecclesfield, Fitzsimmons, Hungerford. Williams, Bonar. “The Council proceeded to elect their Chairman in accordance with the 12th. Clause of the ‘ Municipal Ordinance,’ and upon the ballot being taken, there appeared for Cr. Bonar, 4, and Cr. Shaw, 3. The assessors. Messrs Williams and Binucy, then declared Councillor Bonar Chairman for the municipal year.” Hokitika was created a borough h~ proclamation dated the 2-lth August, 1868, and the first meeting of the new Borough Council was held on the 9th September, 1868, Councillor Prosser being elected to tho office of Mayor. It should he noted that at that date or at that time, tho Town Clerk was also Town Surveyor, Town Solicitor, Town Collector, Wharfinger Sexton, and Messenger.

The following is the list of the Afnyors:— 1866-1868—J. A. Bonar. 1868 —Evan Prosser. 1869 —C. E. Button.

1869-IS7o—Samuel Bolye. 1871 —Jas. B. Clarke and J. AV. ■ •• Higgin. 1872 i —William Todd. 1873-1874—-William Todd. ' 1874-1875—Francis C. Tabari. 1876- —Alnc-Lean AVatt Jack. 1877- —T. A. Learmont. 1879-1880—McLean AVatt Jack. 1881 —T. A. Learmont. 1881 —John Cross. 1881-1885—AV. L. Fowler. 1885- John Tate. 1886- H. L. Alic-hel. 1888- —C. E. Holmes. 1889- Joseph ALindl. Iggo —H. L. Robinson. 1893 R. AV. Wade. 1894-1895—Joseph ALandl. 1897-1903—H. L. Alichel. 1904-1905—Joseph Atandl. 1906- H. L. Alichel. 1911-1928.—G. A. Perry. Air Perry was elected Alayor (unopposed) and first installed on tlie 3rd May, 1911, and has held office continuously up to the present, a period of 17 years. TOAVN CLERKS. 1866-1872—John Lazar. 1873-1887—AV. D. Banks. 1888- —C. Emerson. 1889- John Peake. 1896-1898—John Peake, jnr. (acting) 1899-1906—J. IC. Campbell. 1907- —A. A. Andrewes. 1927-1928—H. G. F. Coles. All- C. E. Holmes in 1889 was the first recipient of a silver cradle during his term of office.

Mr Jeffries continuing stated that Air Perry had held office since 1911, an unbroken period of 17 years. Hon, H. L. Michel had been Mayor for 12 years and the late Mr J. Mandl for 8 years. Mr Perry .had also previously served as a Councillor. His services rendered had been of great value to the community. It was the custom of most boroughs to pay an honorarium of £IOO per year but for the 17 years that Mr Perry had been their Mayor lie had not taken one penny, which meant a saving of £I7OO to the ratepayers. He had given ungrudgingly of his time and ability to the welfare of the town. The oldest living member of the Council was Mr AY. A. r l liompson, and the next in service to the town was Mr J. J. Breeze, whom he was pleased to see present, who had 49 rears of service in connection with the Hospital Board, of which lie was President. Another fine record was that of 47) years of service rendered by Mr W. Braddon, who had recently retired from the position of Superintendent of the Fire Brigade. Having worked on the Council on and off for the last 15 years lie (Mr Jeffries! bad been well able to appreciate the wholehearted way in which Mr Perry h i , given, of his time, wisdom and advice. He was one who always tempered liis decison with justice. He also wished to sav how much the citizens appreciated the services rendered by Mrs PerrY since she had come to live amongst us. She had identified herself with all objects of a charitable nature, notably the Plunket Society, and had given a lead of good citizenship, which had endeared her very much to the people. Mr E. A. "Wells (County Chairman) expressed the great pleasure it gave him to be present that evening to appreciate the services of the Mayor and Mayoress. He fully realised the good work Mr Perry had done during his long term of 17 years as Mayor of. the town. He had stood it well and appeared, to be good for many years yet. Like Mr Perry he was as native of Hokitika nnd it was somewhat unique that the two should fill the responsible positions in, town and county. Mrs Perry's services had been fully appreciated" in connection with

the Plunket Society and the Girl Guides and deserved every recognition. He wished them both with their young son every good wish for the future.

Air J, .1. Breeze (President of AVcst-

land Hospital Board) also joined in expressing the great pleasure he had in being present to congratulate Mr Perry on his long and efficient service to the town and district. If he does as well in the future as lie had done in the past then Afr Perry would fully satisfy the speaker. Air AY. J. Butler said the only public matter in which lie had taken part with Air Perry was in connection with the Exhibition Board. Air Perry’s help and advice then was very, very serviceable. He Itad great pleasure in supporting the appreciation of the services that Air and Airs Perry had rendered to the district.

Air D. J. Evans was pleased to be associated as a Councillor to express his- personal appreciation of the able manner in whic-li Ah- Perry has continuously served the citizens. The present gathering was a. very agreeable change to the usual meetings in that chamber. On behalf of the Rcturried Soldiers’ Association he wished to voice appreciation of Ills services on their behalf. As President of tho Patriotic Fund which is still in existence Air Perry is often called on to assist deserving eases and they were grateful for his assistance. Airs Perry had also earned their gratitude in connection with Poppy Day having 'taken charge of the distribution and sale of poppies every year. Some reference was then made to the early days and the valuable photographs that hung round the walls of tho Town Hall, some of the notables being referred to. Concluding Air Evans conveyed his personal thanks and appreciation of the. good ,work Mr Perry had done for the town and district. He was a large employer of labour, being connected with farming and sawmilljug and the whole district was indebted to Air Perry for his financial help and assistance.

Dr li. Teichelmaim said by the presence of such a large body of citizens he gathered that tlie Council have done the right thing in calling together the gathering that evening. He took the opportunity of congratulating Air and Airs Perry on the happy event that was tho prelude to the present gathering. THE PRESENTATION.

The Chairman then asked acceptance by All- and All's Perry of a very handsome silver cradle, mounted on a solid oak stand, in commemoration of the hapny event, tile birth of their son. He trusted that the young one would long he spared and that in his nihilhood he would lie able to follow in the footsteps of his parents, and render service to the town and district of equal value to that of his honoured parents. The assemblage joined in singing “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows,” followed by hearty cheers with an extra one for tlie “young Edmond.” Mr G. A. Perry on rising was heartily received. Ho said it was a. somewhat difficult task to reply to the nice things said during the evening, hut he assured them that Airs Perry and himself felt their kindness deeply. He felt confident that the town now was more stable and sound than it was in its earlier days. The outlook for the town was good and it would always be a comfortable one to live in. Tie deeply appreciated their kindness by giving tho function that evening. He had always found the people very considerate and kind. He thanked them very heartily for thenvery handsome presentation, on liehalf of his wife and also tho young gentleman who was not able to he present that evening. Air Jeffries then extended an invitation to those present to adjourn to Preston’s tea rooms for supper and this phase of the function concluded. THE SUPPER. Preston’s Tea Rooms were crowdedto the doors with an enthusiastic gathering. A dainty supper was served and then the Chairman (Air W. .Jeffries) proposed tho toast of “The King,” which was musically honoured. Air T. AV. Duff proposed the toast of the evening—-Air and Airs G. A. Perry. The speaker rofcrred'to his long friendship from Air Perry’s parly days. I-Ie knew him in his boyhood and had known him ever since—a young man who had grown up a credit to the town. He had conic back to the town to take charge of one of the most important businesses in the district that he had most honourably and successfully conducted. He had groat pleasure in proposing the toast and he felt he had the sympathy of those present in his failure to more suitably convey bis good wishes but he asked them to take the will for the deed. Ho had known Mrs Perry since she had come to Hokitika and she had won the respect and esteem of all. As the wife of the Chief ATngistrate of the town she had clone excellently. He wished them, long life and happiness to enjoy the pleasure of their young son in many long and happy days. The toast was duly honoured.

Air Perry in reply said the toast was so kindly proposed by Mr Duff that words were inadequate to express the appreciation his wife and himself feci for the very kindly sentiments that wib-e voiced. Personally he had always tried to do liis best for the good of the town and townspeople, and the fact of their appreciation was some recompense. He assured them that Airs Perry was deeply moved at their kind expressions of goodwill and felt with him deeply at their generous references for which he desired to sincerely thank them. During intervals solos were rendered by Miss Knight, Messrs A. Perry and Maxwell, Airs Carver and Mbs Daly supplying the accompaniments. The National Anthem was then sung, and a very happy function was concluded.