GREETINGS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4793, 24 December 1924, Page 2

GREETINGS.

goodfellowship prevails. EXPRESSIONS BY COUNCILLORS. At Monday’s meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council the opportunity was taken to express seasonal greetings. Die chairman (Mr A. R. Robinson) said that the past year had been a particularly arduous one. The county had experienced three floods of unusual severity, and well on into late spring tlie settlers had had a very trying time, but he had every reason to believe that matters had brightened up considerably during the past few weeks, and even those who were inclined to be downhearted and pessimistic were now looking forward joyfully to better times. He expressed appreciation of the way the settlers had met their liabilities to the council, and the way they had borne with the council in its endeavours to do the best possible for its ratepayers. In extending greetings to his fellowcouncillors and staff Cr. Robinson said that the Government audit of the council’s books had just been completed, and a very fine report had accompanied the auditor’s certificate. A special word of praise and congratulation was due to the clerk, Mr R. W. Evans, and his assistant, Mr A. A. Jenkinson, for the faithful services rendered. A tribute was also paid to the engineer, Mr E. Shaw, and his staff. The chairman said that an enormous amount of extra work had been thrown on the engineering department by the damage caused by floods, as well as an exceptional amount of constructional and maintenance work. The staff had worked -loyally and well, often long hours, and under heavy difficulties, and lie feh sure the council, as well as the ratepayers, appreciated their efforts.

A weed of appreciation w is also exextended to the Hauraki I lains “Gazette” for the fairness and accuracy of its reports on the council’s doings throughout the year. Cr. H. M. Corbett replied, thanking the chairman for the kind wishes, which were heartily reciprocated. On behalf of the councillors he congratulated the chairman on the various works and improvements that had been carried out under his able direction. He said that the councillors peinaps had differed on some of the policies, but the differences of opinwere not carried farther than the council chamber. Each councillor was out to fight for what he considered was fair and right for his particular riding, but he felt sure they were always prepared to bow graciously to the wishes of the majority of the council. The speaker endorsed the remarks of the chairman with reference to the staff, and said that it was very gratifying to the councillors to enjoy the co-operation and loyal help of the staff. He, too, believed more prosperous times were ahead for farmers in the Dominion, and he felt sure that in the fertile an:l progressive Ohinemuri success would crown their efforts.