THE MAYORALTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5100, 14 March 1927, Page 2

THE MAYORALTY.

DEPUTATION TO MR. MARSHALL. LARGELY SIGNED PETITION. Further pressure was brought to bear on the Mayor of Paeroa (Mr .W. Marshall) on Saturday morning, when a large deputation, representative of all classes of the community, waited on him at the Council Chambers. From among the large number present Mr E. W. Porritt was selected to present tiie petition. Mr Porritt explained that they had come forward that morning for the purpose of asking Mr Marshall to consider again accepting nomination for tlie office of. Mayor 'for a further term. It was admitted that in municipal matters all sections had not always seen eye to eye with the Mayor, but discussions in which expressions of opinion were offered were a benefit to the town, and showed that people were taking an interest in local affairs. It had always been found that when differences of opinion cropped up the matter under discussion had received full consideration by the Mayor, and not infrequently it was found that those who disagreed were later on prepared to admit that their Mayer was right. It had been noticeable with the sitting council that when an agreement was reached matters went well and were carried to a successful conclusion. Jt was evident that the councillors had confidence m the leadership and integrity of Mr Marshall by the fact that they had already requested him to stand for a further term. It was also clearly evident that tlie Mayor had the confidence and backing of the ratepayers by the 'fact of the largely signed petition which he (Mr Porritt,) was privileged to present. It was the wish of practically all the ratepayers that the Mayor should carry on for a while longer in view of the important borough matters in hand and contemplated so that they should be carried to a successful conclusion. Bveiyone. realised that it would be almost impossible to select a man who could oi- would devote .the t,ime and energy to borough affairs as had Mr Marshall. In the interests of the town tlie ratepayers earnestly and Sincerely beseeched him to make an endeavour to carry on for a further term. Mr Porritt then presented t.he following petition, which bore the signatures 0f*285 burgesses : — •

“We, the undersigned burgesses of tlie Borough of Paeroa, having full confidence in you as Mayor, in your wise and careful administration of tlie finances o'f this borough, and in your sound progressive policy for the advancement of Paerta, earnestly request you to again accept, nomination for a further term as Mayor. We are somewhat diffident in making this request, as we are fully aware of the arduous task you have had and the many calls which have been made on your time and liberty during the period you have held the office of Mayor, and that you, having more than done your share for t.he good of the community, are now entitled to a well-earned rest. We also feel, however, that this is a critical time in tlie history of our borough. A definite’ step on the road to progress has been reached, and with it the expenditure of the balance of our loan moneys and the supervision and organisation cf the many works now in progress or contemplated. With your excellent record before us, with proved capacity, and with the expert knowledge which we know you to possess, we feel that y°u are eminently suited to further guide our destinies, and that we can ill-afford to lose your leadership, your knowledge, and your service at the present time. We trust, therefore, that you will give this request your earnest consideration, and that your reply will be favourable, and that ,we may feel that for a further term our interests will be safeguarded in the hands of one in whom we have the fullest trust and confidence.” Mr L. E. Cassrels supported the petition as one <>f the largest ratepayers in the borough, and eulogised the sound business acumen, integrity, and foresight of the Mayor. He said that in his experience he had never known any man in whom the public spirit was so highly developed. THE ECONOMIC ASPECT. Touching on the economic aspect, which he said was so importent-.in public affairs, Mr D. Leach pointed out that he was afraid the deputation was acting on selfish motive* ’ asking Mr Marshall to carrt - 111 was fully realised and amount of time b' . the work of adv**" e had given to the teiests, ' -mcing thje borough’s inper' 1 - and the work lie had already .ormed would be a lasting memorial to his efforts. Paeroa had reached a stage of responsibility, and it was a time when the services o'f a man of the Mayor’s calibre should continue to rule tiie destinies of the borough. Wonders had already been accomplished in a few short years, but much more remained to be done, and he knew of no other man locally who could hold the office with the credit and merit of Mr Marshall. BUSINESS MAN’S VIEWS. Speaking as a business man, Mr J. P. Gamble said that he would earnestly request the Mayor to continue to lead the municipal affairs 'for a further term. Sound men imbued with a public spirit were at a premium, and lie ventured to say that it would be nothing short of disastrous to allow the Mayor to retire at the present stage of the borough’s career. Mr Marshall was a man qf high ideals and firm opinions, and was. recognised and admired for having the courage of his convictions. The speaker said he trusted that the hope of reward, —and that there was a duty to the ratepayers—would sweeten the labour and assist Mr Marshall in reaching a favourable decision. THE FARMING INTERESTS. Representing the 'farming interests, Mr G. Buchanan stated that he had every confidence in the Mayor and admired his actions and tenacity of purpose from beginning to end. It gave him pleasure to endorse the remarks of the previous speakers. He wished to add, however, that Mr Marshall had worked for the welfare and advancement of the. community as a

whole, and not for any particular section.

THE MAYOR’S REPLY. In reply to the deputation Mr Marshall said that he hardly knew how to express liis thanks and appreciation. What lie had bebn able to do had been done without thought o'f reward. If it should be thought that any reward was due, then he felt that he was amply repaid by the fact that, he had apparently earned the respect and esteem of such a large and representative number of burgesses. He informed the deputation that it was exceedingly difficult for him to entertain their request, as he hail already seriously neglected his business affairs and his home life. Were it not so he would not wait to be asked to accept nomination 'for a further term. He fully realised the state of the bQrougn affairs and he had never been a “quitter,” for it, had been one of tiie aims of his life to do thoroughly- the j b in hand and complete whatever he started. The work of the borough teak up a lot o'f time, and meant sacrifice, and it was difficult to go on neglecting his own private affairs, as had been necessary in the past. It was not quite the position to state that the council had requested him to stand, and tlie paper report was a litt/e misleading. Tlie members, had said that if he did nominate they would support him. To be quite candid, continued Mr Marshall, he had informed the council that he was not to be manoeuvred into a position where it could be inferred that he was seeking the honour, for he was seeking to avoid accepting the responsibility of municipal office for a further term. Possibly he had a duty to the ratepayers, and as the head O'f the council he was prepared to accept a large share of the responsibility for the present position of the affairs of the borough, particularly so as he had assumed somewhat unusual duties in the public interest. This had been stressed by a large number of bur-, gesses. and it had given him cause for serious consideration of the position. He wished~however, to make it quite clear that it was his earnest desire to retire at. this juncture if lhe could do so without being conscious that he would not be doing his duty to the public, and if tlie right man was offering/for the position, so that the affairs of the town would proceed wit,nout serious detriment, nothing would induce him to stand again. If that frank statement offended anyone he trusted they would produce the man to meet the need. After all, His Worship said, the affairs of the borougn were as much the concern of eachratepayer as they were of the Mayor or councillors, and he thought the public could take more interest in its own affairs. He had faith in the public being capable of judging and deciding wisely so long as it had possession of the facts, but that was the difficulty. Certain men were elected as councillors, and no doubt they did their best according to their interpretation of affairs, but generally matters rested there. He believed much good would come of it if an active ratepayers” association was formed. By such an institution the public could keep in close touch with municipal affairs and have better opportunities of knowing ah that was going on. Mr Marshall said that lie had faith in Paeroa, and believed it was a good town wit.li a bright future, but undoubtedly there were dangers and difficulties'to be 'faced. It was the duty of ratepayers to take more intelligent interest in the affairs of the borough, and not content, themselves by delegating tlie responsibilities to a few councillors. He wished to thank sincerely the deputation for the kind sentiments expressed and also the burgesses for their generous and eulogistic references contained in the petition. Their would have very careful consideration, and he regretted that he could not give his reply that day. However, the petition would be taken ho.me, and after consultation with his family, to whom lie also had a dtity to perform, he would give his decision on Monday. In conclusion the Mayor stated that in tlie event of his reply being favourable lie would ask the deputation to make an effort to return councillors who would be supporters of the telle spirit of co-operation and who would put their shoulders to the wheel an-3. push for the good progress town. It was necessary ♦ ' . tlie council’s delih r ’ L ° bring i phere o'f ha’- -rations an atmcs.mony, good will, and cov- ->>n, irrespective of personal . unity or individual efforts fCT particular section. After heartily applauding the Mayor’s reply the deputation withdrew.