EX-COUNCILLORS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4498, 1 December 1922, Page 2

EX-COUNCILLORS.

ENTERTAINED TO SMOKER, At the Coronation Chambers on Monday night e'x-Councillors F. ABalcke and W. H. Taylor were entertained to a smoker, by His Worship the M.ayor and the members of the Borough Council, Apologies for absence were received from Crs'. Marshall, Flatt, and Lamb, and Messrs W. J. Towers and Q. E. Allen. In extending a welcome to the guests of the evening His Worship said that the Council decided to adopt the same procedure as on former occasions and to express the goodwill and appreciation to those who had worked hard in the interests of the town. After the toast of “The King’’ bad been duly honoured Cr. Bain proposed the tbast of "The Sports Bodies.’’ Tn •doing this lie said that the town of Paeroa had nothing to complain of as regards sports. All. the various brandies of sport wore well represented and .he had found that there were real good "sports” in tlm town. Sport, lie considered, was absolutely essential to Ufa, for without it things would lie dull and monotonous'. The two guests were “sports.” Both were bowlers and 'ex;prosidents of the Bowling Club, while Mr Taylor had flew equals as a supporter of football. Tn responding Cr. J. W. Silcock said lie had been connected with sport in Paeroa ever since he was a boy, toddling about, especially in football, tennis, and cricket. In the football field Paeroa has had exceptionally good teams at times. Although only runners-up this’ year they hoped for better results next year. He had always found the sporting element the backbone of; politics in later years. With regard to the guests, their public life has been, a credit to them, and it was looked upon that they had done a very great deal for Paeroa, Mr Taylor as an old cricketer and Mr Balcke as a bowler, and both past presidents.

In proposing the toast of "The Beautifying Society” Cr. T. P. Vuglar thought that it had done credit to the town. Mr Hanna, the president, was tb be Complimented. He often thought that the society did not get the assistance it deserved. There were many things that went to make a town. He considered that the business men were lacking in' business methods. It was certain that if the town was made attractive visitors would feel that there was Ufa in. the centre. He paid a high tribute to the work done by Mr Hanna, who, he said, deserved all the credit for the work done.

Mr Hanna, in replying, said he felt grateful for the remarks made, but disclaimed being solely responsible. “It is the committee’s work, gentlemen,,” said Mr Hanna. The public contributed £4OO, which was practically 5s per head for men, ‘-women, and children in the town. The committee had been backed up by the public-spirited citizens'. For the last work done at the station Mr Aickin, of Karangahake, had given the piping for railing, the carters carted the material free of cost, and Mr Ratliffe gave the metal for the paths. When the people helped the work was fairly easy. The incoming point—the entrance to the town—has had a very good effect already. Many people had remarked, “What a fine thing has been done at the railway station.” In pushing the town ahead we were helping Ourselves 1 . The work accomplished was a telling advertisement. The members ofl the committee had worked hard, and especially so the Rev. Enticptt ,and Miss Dutton.

“We now come to the purpose for which we have met this evening,” said the Maybr. It was his job, he said, to adequately present to Messrs Taylor and Balcke a mark of esteem from, the old members of the council. Firstly, Cr. Balcke, who has' left Paeroa for pastures new. He was one of the promoters of tiile borough, and a member of the first, second, and third councils. He was attentive to his work, filled with the desire to do what he thought to be beneficial to the place, and a gentleman, with the courage of his convictions. During the life of the first six years tlhe work was hard and thorny, and there were no results to show for what had been? done. A tremendous amount of work had been done, but there was' no money to pay for it. When the Borough Council took the reins of government of the town, there was ■ possibly 20 years of backward work to fete pulled up, but during the time the borough had administered its affairs it had progressed. Both the guests had contributed in no small measure to the advancement. Personally, ne regretted it when Cr. Balcke retired, as he was always a. worker. The Mayor said he would be failing in His duties if he did not pay a high tribute to Mrs 1 and Miss Balcke, who were always' there to do their work, and never in the limelight. During the “flu.” period, all those who worked know what these ladies did. He extended to them on behalf of the townspeople their best wishes for future prosperity and happiness. The Mayor then presented a photograph shield of the councillors as a token of the esteem in which Mr Balcke was held and as a slight memento of his former colleagues, and trusted that it would tend to remind him of the days spent in Paeroa and of his former colleagues. (Applause.) His Worship also presented a photograph shield to. Mr W. H. Taylor, who had also been connected with the bprough from its inception and was also one of the promoters. In doing so His V/orship said that it was not ='o much its value, but it would remind him that his services rendered to the borough were appreciated. Mr Taylor, he said, had been connected' with all local matters for many years, and the able advice tha.t had been extended to men who were now trying to do their share was a tremendous help to the borough.

Cr. E. Edwards, in speaking of the guests, said that -on being -elected <.O the council the advice first given by Messrs Balcke and Taylor Was invaluable and had assisted him materially. He had known both from Ms boyhood, and knew Ike good work

done by Jlhem oh. the council. Mr Taylor was chairman of the school committee,, and was also a “live wire” in the Chamber of Commerce, and he thought that they could not do less than meet them and thank them for the work done far the town. , Cr, Vuglar endorsed the sentiments expressed by the previous speakers. Mr Balcke, he said, had conscientiously done what he .thought was for the benefit of the town. As a neighbour far 17 years lie regretted Mr Balcke’s leaving the town, as they had always got on well together. With regard to Mr Taylor, : he had found him to be a man to further the interests' of anything he took in hand. He was sorry that Mr Taylor had not sought le-elcctloh. Since the inception of the borbugh he considered both the old and new councillore had done everything for the advancement of the Lown. He hoped that the next council would do as well far the town as the old councillors, and then it would not be long before Paeroa would be one of the most progressive (owns in the Dominion. He trusted that Mr Balcke would meet with the result that he deserved in his now home. Mr W. J. EHis said that he had always found the guests jolly good fellows. Cr. W. Bain congratulated the guests on their enterprise,. and said that be. like other citizens, knew of the work they had done far the benefit of the town. Cr. D. Leadb in adding his quota, said that by living so long in the town the guests .were looked upon as landmarks ,and had helped to build up the town, which was well On the road to prosperity. He trusted that Mr Balcke and. his family would have health and prosperity in their new field, and-would look back with kind thoughts of Paeroa. It was nOt the intrinsic value of the memento but the spirit in which it was given that held the bonds and ties of friendship together. Cr. J. W. Silcock said he was sorry that he was not a member of the council, during the time the guests were members, but he hoped they would be spared long to look back on a prosperous city and think of the work done by them- in the initial stages. Mr P. C. Furley, town, clerk, said, he summed up the guests as being straightforward and solid men. He gave both great credit for the work they had. done on the council. Mr W. Neil,, borough foreman, said he had worked under both, gentleineti and could not wish fpr. better , men. Mr Balcke On rising was greeted with enthusiasm and said that it was the proudest moment of his life. He did not know he was so much appreciated in Paeroa, and thanked all for the kind remarks made about his wife and daughter and also fpr the handsome presentation. It would always occupy the premier place in ’his home. It had been a pleasure to work with the members of the council and also his good fortune tp Work with His’ Worship. While chairman of the works committee he had always got a, good bearing from the councillors.’ There were at times nasty .things said, but he was positive that not one single action could be brought against His Worship to his detriment, and this was a great thing to be able to say. In Regard to borough. matters, he had the honour to be one of the prime movers. They all fei; that Paeroa had a future and that with a little push it would come into its own. He felt that the Bprough. Council was justified in spending the money it did in forming footpaths and cleaning up the town when it first took over control. Now that a move had been made tlie ratepayers realised that the towh~had progressed, and was still making progress'. The ratepayers were to be congratulated on the personnel of the present council, and they were now waking up to the fact that if they want a decent town they must pay for it. He con?sidered the town fortunate in having Cr. Marshall as a councillor and chairman of the finance committee. There was a certain amount of regret at receiving the presentation, and Paeroa would always have a soft place in his heart. He hoped to visit the town and renew his old associations from time to time. Mr Taylor was also greeted with applause, and he said he did not know that lie possessed so much virtue until that night. He thanked all for the handsome present, and also for. their very kind and sincere, words. He always regarded the man who did not take an interest in his own town as being one not worth his salt. Ha had always taken an interest in the place, and naturally was keen in advocating a borough, and along with others ihad tried to dp his best. He assured all that fie would hot be leaving Paeroa if he could help it. He added his quota of praise to Mr Balcke, and as one of the council, with him endorsed what had been said. He again returned thanks for the handsome present, and said he would always look back on the pleasant times spent. If he had a duty tp do he would do it, even at (lie cost of causing offence. The toast of “The Paeroa Borough Council” was' proposed by Mr Balcke. In his remarks he said that the council consisted Of a really good body of men, and a body of workers who were ou,t to do thein best for the town. The ratepayers were fortunate in having such a council. A decided progress was noticeable during the last three years. In a short time the whole of the drainage system would be completed to the credit of the town. Paeroa was more progressive than Huntly, which place had neither a water supply nor drainage. He thought Paeroa was fortunate in having such progressive men and men of ability on the council. The Mayor, in responding, thanked M’- Balcke for his kind remarks, and said it was refreshing to know that Paeroa was at least not the most unprogressive town in the North Island. Paeroa could cl,aim that it had made some progress. The fact that there was no antecedent liability was a good and healthy sign. When he took over the reips of office there was a debit of £3406, and In three years it stood as one of eight loc.al bodies in

New Zealand, with revenue and expenditure “all square.” They were now able to spend about £lOOO extra a year on necessary works. The council had succeeded in raising £23,000 out of the £63,0000 at 4Y 2 per, cent., out of the £63,000 at 4% per cent., but, like Other bodies, was finding it difficult to get money at that price, x , and at present they were, awaitipg developments in the money market. It was for the council to decide whe- . ther or not they would go into the open market for it. If they did the interest would be higher, and„ consequently, the rates would be heavier. He thought that it was the duty of a local body to see tluat it did not burden the ratepayers with a greater rate than they could stand. They were all. looking forward to miore prosperous times .and to getting more money to push on with the sewerage and reading. Thb securing of the ■water supply was a distinct advantage to the ratepayers, and he thought the water rate would compare more than favourably with, that of any other town. The lighting was' also a • valuable asset, and a good deal of credit was due to Cr. Flatt, who had worked hard. Paeroa was the first! town to get electric light from Hora-_ lio'.’a under the Power Board. This ' he thought, was not, a bad record for a place that was reckoned to have been asleep for 20' years. The staff had also contributed to the progress of the town by the faithful services rendered. Or. Edwards, in responding, said it was a' pleasure and an honour to be a member of the council. During the whole life of the borough the council had been “up against it” owing to the stringency of the money market. He considered it the council’s duty to do the greatest good economically for the greatest number. Every member of the council was doing his best for the town. The Borough Council was in a sound financial position, and could now go on and do penpanent work out of revenue. The toast of “His Worship the Mayor, Mr P. E. Brenan,” was proposed by Mr Hanna, who said His’ Worship had filled the position us mayor in a most creditable way.' Like some others, he had had to carry the bogey of youth, but iliad carried out the dignity of the office in an able manner. Tn acknowledging the toast His Worship said that he h.ad been able to carry out his duties chiefly by the help of those who had Worked with him. It was due to the support and co operation of the councillors that the council had made some progress’ ,in the town. Public matters certainly took up a lot of time, but one got compensation by improving one’s education and improving one’s mind. He had done his best, and that was all he could dp. U The toast of ‘-‘The Staff” was proposed by Mr Taylor and responded to by Messrs Furley and Neil, and the' “Press'” by Cr Edwards and ed to by “The Hauraki Plains Gazette” representative.