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Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1929, Page 4

Tin; Westland County Council on Wednesday at the annual meeting, placed air Bernard Ward in the chair, and lo maite ill.* uuinpliment tiie more .•(unplete, the e octioii was unanimous, .vir Ward succeeded Mr Weils, who lias iiad Die gratim a tion of piloting the oiiiuii Liu- ugii a p.rieci when the uiig s.aiming de ..it balance at Hie , w.is hqu.dated, and die year . losed with a modest credit balance, .or Wells proved a painstaking chairman during his term, and appeared to ~,ive lair consideration to al l parts of .uo di.tnci. Air Ward is evidently prepared to fol ow flip .same." lead, in,.eed iie spoilt* .4 h.s intention to do ..o ami referred particularly to the .Mjutlf, rn distric- as worthy special onsuieration because, of its promising .naratter as a feeder to the fntuie prosperity of Westland as this district oecoiii.es more and in re settled. There is no doubt it will be sound policy to help assist the south district, for tiiere is ample room there for an expansion of settlement. Jt is a fact liiat where good access exists, settlement • is flourishing. 'That being so, it follows that improved reading should he continued to a.l localities where enhanced production is possible ollowing reasonable means for access md transport. At the Council meeting, in referring to the improved financial position, well deserved praise .as gi on Air .Murdoch for his vai..able help in recovering royalties re- . .n xe. According to statements at he table the Council owes a very great deal, to Mr Murdoch for his advice and assistance, and when it is rec guise that advice and assistance have been •/icon so freey, and generously, the debt of tbe C •unc iI is the greater. ! hat the. financial fortunes of the fwunc.il are improving of late was made plain by the Treasurer’s Stateon •: at the close of the financial year. If the position is maintained as there s reason to believe it will, the Council i,hmild have a very useful term of office ahead of it. Under the guidance of Air Ward, who has now been a member of the Council for some 29 ears, a year of useful service should result. The Council has always been redited with steady-going common

enso. and that discretion is likely to •-* maintained. As the most important public body of the district it has esponsibi ities and these will bp discharged with care and courage, oi ‘hat we may’ he sure. It may theref re lit* expected that a.s heretofore, he ratepayers will b? well served in the desire and determination of the YVestland County Council to e ntinue to do its best for the district ns a whole.