COMPLIMENTARY DINNER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5025, 10 September 1926, Page 3

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER

gathering at te aroha.

MR CLAXTON HONOURED.

Mr F. H. Claxton, who for a number of years was; chairman of the Thames Valley Power Boa,rd and only ■recently resigned, was entertained at a smoke concert given in the Masonic Hall, Te Aroha, on Tuesday evening. The gathering was a large one, and numerous local bodies were, represented. Among those present wWe those who had come from as/far awdy as Wellington and Auckland. Mr F. M. Strange presided,.and Mr Claxton occupied the place off honour at the table. Mr Strange, in proposing the toast of the gu«st of the evening, said that only those who had beedi closely associated with Mr Claxton knew how mtich work he haff put into the Power Board. There was no country in the world so free from graft as New Zealand. ' There were two reasons for this. With such services as water and electricity the control was in the hands off those who we the direct representatives of the people, and -not in the hands,-of powerful corporations. Another reason was that they had men of executive and financial ability, like Mr Claxton, who were willing to give their time to the affairs of the people. During the time Mr Claxton had been chairman of the board he had interested himself not only in the Thames Board, but in electric power throughout New Zealand. He was chairman' of the South Auckland League and a member of the Ne.w Zealand Power Boards’ Association. In this way he had done more for getting electricity in every home than any other manjn New Zealand. (Applause.) Mr Strange said he had also another duty to perform, and on behalf of the Power Board and.Mr Claxton s many friends he had much pleasine in making Mrs Claxton a presentation of a silver tea service In returning thanks Mr Claxton expressed his delight in meeting so many with whom he had Worked so long on public bodies. There had been great pleasure in meeting many of the, men with whom he had been brought in contact. He had been for 19 years in public life, and ample repayment 'for all he had done was found in the expressions of the good opinions held of him. If he had don e . anything during his eight years on the- Power Board which they had appreciated he was fully rewarded by that appreciation. They were all cogs in the big wheel of local body government. - Some peope said, “Why bother about local body work ?” but if a man had any knowledge, or experience that could be useful to a local body he should place it at the service of the local body. If he had been any help there was ho obligation to repay him. He wanted to express; his sincere- thanks on behalf of Mrs Claxton for the very fine mark off their regard for her. A project might be carried • through without much trouble, but whether you get there soon or late, there was the satisfaction of getting through. The wife and family often had to make the sacrifice while the man was pursuing his public work. He felt sure Mrs Claxton would think kindly of them for their thoughtfulness.. They would treasure, the gifts that had been received, but these gifts were not needed to convince them of the goodwill towards them. He had had nothing but warm-hearted symypathy in connection with his work. He’did not think it likely that he would be out of the collar very long, and he would ever retain the kindest of memories of the good feeling extended towards him, nbt only of members of the board, but those he had met throughout the length ahd breadth of Ne.w Zealand. He assured all of his keen appreciation of their goodwill anef the culmination of that goodwill in their presence there that night.