WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1931, Page 6

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

AY ED NESD AY, MAY 27 th

ANNUAL MEETING,, ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN, The Council met at noon. Present: Messrs AY, Senile (Chairman), T. Chesterman, .M, H. Houston, 11. Wells, J. A. .Murdoch, 15. AVard, W. Jeffries, ,J. Donovan, and M. Keenan. The Chairman said they had met to elect a new chairman. He thanked members for the support given in the past twelve months. He also wished to thank Mr Evans and staff for the support that they had given him. Ho was glad that they had in this time of depression been able to reduce the rate for the coming year. Air Ward said Air Senile had had twelve months in Che chair and had carried on his duties very well indeed. He congratulated Mr Senile on his period as Chairman, in which good worn had been done. .He was glad the County rate had been reduced and the ratepayers should be pleased with this result.

Mr Jeffries voiced his approval of sentiments expressed by Mr AVard, to whom they all looked for his guidance. He was one who was particularly g’ad to know of the reduction of the rate, which would lie a relief to the vvhole'of the ratepayers throughout AVestland. He gave a,-word of warning "as to the need for ay careful, watchful eye during thi> coining year on flu* finances of the Council:

Mr Donovan joined in endorsing previous remarks, expressing appreciation of the excellent financial position of the Council at the present time.

Air Murdoch thought the ratepayers of AVestland should know what had been done by the Council during the past year. He took the course followed by the other speakers and expressed bis opinion. He considered it an honor to sit at the Council table and confer with the other members. He would like it to be pointed out any other similar local body that bad been able to reduce the rates by one third, as this Council bad clone during the term of the present Chairman. He hoped the ratepayers would give the Council credit for this rate reduction.

Air Chcsterinan congratulated Mr Senile on his term of office, during which everything bad passed off so successfullv.

Air Houston joined in congratulations to the Chairman. The year bad been a very pleasant one for him and lie was glad that his term had been such a successful one.

Air Keenan endorsed previous reip(irjs's, congratulating the Chairman of Ins term of office.

Air AYolls also jojned in conveying hi s appreciation oT“tli<r-Chairman’s -good work during bis term of office. The Chairman thanked members for their kind expressions of appreciation. He especially thanked Air AA'ard for the assistance given;. ELECTION OF '-CHAIRMAN. The Clerk (Mr Evans) took the chair and mentioned that 'this was the 41st annual meeting that be binl presided over. lie linvited nominations or tho position of Chairman. Mr AVe/Js nominated Mr Keenan, seconded by Air Houston.

Mr AVard nominated Air Chesterman who declined to stand.

There being no further nominations Mr M. Keenan, (Central Riding) was declared elected Chairman unopposed. 'Air M. Keenan took the chair and stated lie. was very pleased to have been elected, He* appreciated the honor that had been conferred, one be bad looked forward to. He would do, bis utmost and trusted to have the' full support of members and the staff during the year, which promised to be a difficult one. Air AYolls ’congratulated the Chairman im his election. He thought the year would be a trying one. but be lelt sure lie would ably fill the position. 1

Mr Chesterman congratulated the Chairman on bis election. He wished ‘him a very successful year of office. Mr AVard congratulated Air Keenan and hoped that the coming year would bo one of the happiest of bis life. Tie was glad to have beard the statement of Al> Evans that this was hi*, 41st year of office. He assured the Chairman that- be would have very valuable assistance from .the Treasurer in the coining year which would prove of great value to him. He personally would give the- new Chairman every assistance in bis, power.

Air Murdoch joined in the good wishes .at th 0 election as Chairman, ft would he necessary to give every attention to the welfare of the funds of ( t|ie Council.

AH Senile Said be felt that the. Chairman would find that, during bis term of office lie learnt a great deal. He urged every attention to economy. Mr Donovan joined in the expressions of good wishes to the Chairman on his election. Air Houston was glad to promise every support to the new Chairman during bis term of office* in the com-ing-year, which promised to be a difficult one. He fejfc sure that be would bnvc the full support of the Council. AIY Jeffries supporting, said he.was convinced if lie followed the course advised by Mr AA'ard that morning, then the Chairman would not go far wrung. Flo felt sure he would give everv possible attention to the duties of his office. Afr Keenan said he would tabs the

advice given him and would do his best to carry out the duties of bis office for th© advantage of the County, Air Chesterman said he was pleased that his standing down bad met with the approval of members. He felt he had done tltg right thing.

ROLL OF COUNTY CHAIRMEN

1876 John McAVhirtei 1877 H. L. Robinson 1878 J. Grimmond 1879 John Lang 1886 R. J. Setldon 1881 P. Dungan 1882 Tohn MoAA’hirter 1883 P. Dungan 1,884 J. Grimmond 1885 James Clarke 1886 T. M. McGoldrick 1887 MeL. AV. Jack 1888 J. M. McGoldrick 1889 A. Camming 1890 John McAVhirter 1891 John McAA 7 hirter 1892 Thos 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. Northeroft 1901 T. V. Byrne 1902 ......... A. Clifton 1903 ...... . J. Grimmond 1904 ......... T. W. Duff 1905 T. J. AlcGuigan 1906 T. V. Byrne 1907 T. AV. Bruce 1908 ■ SwG. Ferguson 1909 J. vA. Murdoch 1910 T.“ AV. Duff 1911 T-.-AV. Bruce. 1912 ; Ja Grimmond 1913 S. G. Ferguson 1914 A. Clifton 1915 J. A. Murdoch 1916 H. Norman 1917 B. AVard 1918 T. W. Duff 1919 T. AV. Bruce. 1.920 J. A. Murdoch 1921 B. Ward 1922 AV. Jeffries 1923 T. W. Duff 1924 E. A. Wells 1925 T. R. Chesterman. 1926 AV. Jeffries. 1927 -T. A. Murdoch 1928 E. A. Wells 1929 ......... B. AVard. 1930 .......... AV. Searle 1931 M. Keenan.