THE MAYORALTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4825, 20 March 1925, Page 2

THE MAYORALTY.

DEPUTATION FROM BURGESSES.

MR. MARSHALL TO STAND.

Yesterday afternoon a deputation comprising Messrs H. Poland, M.P., H. E. Butler, P, Williams, E. A. Porritt, S. J. Hedge, and the Rev. A. Morgan, waited on the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) with a petition signed by 104 burgesses requesting him to accept nomination for a further term as Mayor of Paeroa The petition, which was presented by Mr Poland, read as follows :—

"Whereas it is reported that you are undecided whether to consent to nomination for a further term of office as Mayor of Paeroa, and whereas your work has been of great and lasting benefit to the borough, we feel that the undertakings now in hand require your capable and energetic guidance. We, the undersigned burgesses of Paeroa, hereby earnestly request that you will make the necessary sacrifice for Paeroa again and accept office,” In handing the petition to Mr Marshall Mr Poland said that he had been asked to apologise for the absence of Messrs E. W, Porritt, president of the Chamber of Commerce, E. V. Slyfield, L. E. Cassrels, G, P. de Castro, and C. N. O’Neill. The speaker said that as some doubt existed as to whether the Mayo: would carry on for a further term it had been unanimously agreed that a petition signed by burgesses should be presented, in the hope that Mr Marshall would realise that the public was appreciative of his efforts and good services rendered to. the town and desired to secure his return to office for a further term as Mayor. Mr Poland said that Paeroa could consider itself particularly fortunate in having a man possessed oi marked administrative ability and foresight as had Mr Marshall. It was in the interests of the whole of the borougn that he should accept office and carry to fi uition the many progressive works that lie had' instituted during the past two years. He (the speaker) was not prepared to say that it would be impossible to replace Mr Marshall, but he would say that in his opinion it would be a decidedly difficult matter to find a man so capable and with such enthusiasm and ability. He had been closely associated with the council and particularly the Mayor, in connection with the borough’? finances, and he had formed great admiration for Mr Marshall’s keen foresight and sound business acumen. The financial position of the borough was difficult to handle, but he was satisfied that its Mayor was uiidoubterly the man for the job. - Continuing, Mr Poland said that although unkind criticism might have been heaped on Mi Marshall, his keenest critics were numbered among thqse who 'were keenest to secure his return to the Mayoral chair. He assured Mr Marshall that the deputation fully realised the time spent and the sacrificing of private interests which the position entailed, and the burgesses werej appreciative of his services and particularly desired that he should hold office for at least the 110x1 couple of years.

Replying to the deputation, Mr Marshall thanked Mr Poland for hfcs kind remarks and said that he was proud to receive such a largely signed petition from the ratepayers, and lie much appreciated .the thoughts that had prompted its preparation and the sacrifice of time given in obtaining so many representative signatures. He had had a hard term of office, and at times had found it a difficult problem to carry on, which he could not have done’ without very often sacrificing his private interests. There had been no local election for two years, and it had been a difficult matter to gauge any real indication as to whether the public was behind him or not. He said that he .had certain fundamental principles which he was not prepared to sacrifice, and very often he hiid felt that he was ploughing a lone furrow. It was very heartening to receive a petition from the burgesses, as it conveyed to him an indication that he bad not laboured in v.ain. Continuing, the speaker said that the joy attached to the office lay in public service and duty well done, and to that end he had constantly striven. . The last two years h,ad certainly been difficult ones, and the financial position required constant supervision and conservation. Any attempt at. effective administration in a borough such as Paeroa could only’ be brought about by means of an executive head. The borough had not been in a position to pay for the services of such a person, and he had done his best to shoulder the burden. He found thar there had been a certain course to follow, and he had pursued .that course as he considered was in the best interests of the ratepayers, and had not stopped to consider whether he was going to increase the number of his friends or make enemies. It had been necessary to devote an enormous amount of time to municipal affairs, which meant that his private business had been sadly neglected, which position he was not able; to permit to continue. However, he said, in view of the unanimous petition presented by the councillors, followed by the petition received from the ratepayers that afternoon, he w'as. forced to the conclusion that he had a public duty to perform in accepting office for a further term, and in doing so he could assure the deputation that he would studiously further the progress and development of Paeroa. The decision of Mr Marshall was received with hearty applause, and after thanking the Mayor the deputation withdrew.