THE MAYORALTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4823, 16 March 1925, Page 3

THE MAYORALTY.

DEPUTATION OF COUNCILLOBS.

REQUEST TO HIS .WORSHIP. A deputation comprising Councillors E. Edwards, F, E. Flatt, G. P. Lamb, H. M. Shand, J. W. Silcock, and T. P. Vuglar' waited on His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) at his office on Thursday afternoon with a request that he consent to stand for a further term. The following petition, signed by thb whole of the council, was then presented by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr E. Edwards): — "We the undersigned members >f your Council whose term is now drawing to a close respectfully rejques: that you will allow yourself to be again nominated for the position o." Mayor of Paeroa. We, and we think the ratepayers of Paeroa, fully realise and appreciate the splendid and untiring work you have -so freely given in public interest. The results of your efforts during the past two years have been gratifying to us, and we fee! that it would be a great loss to Paeroa were you not to remain in office , for at least .another term of office and carry to completion the many works which you have so successfully inaugurated. The duties of office, we fully realise, have made a heavy call on your time, and we appreciate the manner in which you have so willingly given the time. Without going too deeply into details, we earnestly request that, you again consent to nomination, and we can assure you of the loyal support of your colleagues in all matters pertaining to the wQ'lfare and advancement of our town.”

In handing over the petition to Mr Marshall Cr. Edwards said that it had been unhesitatingly signed by the councillors. He wished to apologise for the absence of Crs. P. E Brenan and W. Bain, who. had been prevented at the last moment from attending.

Cr. Silcock said it was desirable that the Mayor should accept office for a further term, and thus bring, to a successful conclusion the undertakings that he had inaugurate)]. Cr. Flatt said it would be a difficult matter to adequately praise the Mayor for the many important, progressive works he had instituted, and it would be a serious setback should he resign now and not see such works through. The speaker said that whilst he did not always, see eye to eye with the Mayor, there was no gainsaying that His Worship had proved himself a thoroughly capable and enthusiastic person who had the progress and development of the borough at heart, and he was justly entitled to a further term oi’ office. Cr.' Flatt said he was prepared to support the Mayor, aud felt sure that it was in the best interests of the ratepayers that he should continue in office.

Cr. Vuglar, in voicing his opinion, said that Mr Marshall was the man for the job, and he had nothing but admiration for the manner in which He: Worship hdd carried out his arduous duties during the last two years. He thought iti would be a severe setback for Paeroa at tne present if the Mayor resigned.

ti! reply to the deputation His Worship thanked the members' for their expressions of praisa and support. He said that it had given him great pleasure to receive such a unanimous petition, and he realised the responsibility that the request entailed. H was impossible for one man to see every phase of a question, and he was always willing to learn from his colleagues and not necessarily be in disagreement with them. The council was not a “one man show,’ and cooperation and loyalty must be predomlnent if the affairs of the town were to be satisfactorily handled. The petition had put the matter in a very different light to the way it had been put forward at the council meeting. That he could be of real service to the burgesss was the only consideration that would induce him. to accept a further term of office. The neglect of his private affairs was becoming a serious matter, and one that required careful consideration. The Mayor paid that he did not put himself up as being a better or more capable being than his colleagues, and any success achieved during his term had been due in no small, measure to the help and co-opration he had received. The petition would considerably influence him in arriving at a decision,- and he would earnestly consider the request o f the deputation and give his answer in tiie course of a few days.