SEASONAL GREETINGS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5218, 19 December 1927, Page 2

SEASONAL GREETINGS.

BOROUGH COUNCIL COMPLIMENTS).

THE MAYOR CONGRATULATED.

At the conclusion of business, at Thursday night’s meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council the deputy-Mayor (Cr. E. Edwards), on behalf of the council, said that in view of it being the last meeting of the year he desired to convey to the Mayor, Mayoress, and family the compliments of the season. There had been “brushes” round the council table during the year, but it was. particularly pleasing to lock back and know that differences of opinion had been amicably settled and the council was finishing up the year in peace and harmony. , Continuing, Cr. Edwards said he wished to again refer to the strenuous amount of work and splendid service the Mayor had given to the borough. In voicing his colleagues’ and his own sincere appreciation of the work of the Mayor he felt he was correct in stating that there was not another Mayor in the Dominion who had s given one-tenth of the time and service to municipal affairs that Mr Marshall had given. (Applause.) The year had been a. strenuous one, and in addition to the work the Mayer had done for the borough. he had been worried by the illness of the Mayoress. It was pleasing to learn that Mrs Marshall was now on the road to recovery, but again, only a few days ago, the Mayor’s eldest son, Leslie, had sustained a painful injury. In wishing the Mayor a Merry Christmas Cr. Edwards said that the members of the council joined with him in expressing the hope that with the advent of 1928 His Worship and family would meet with better luck, enjoy a bright and prosperous New Year, and be spared in health and strength to see the consummation of his borough reading scheme, which had. the approbation and support of the. council and ratepayers. ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY MAYOR. In acknowledging the greetings and eulogistic references the Mayor thanked the council and. said hei would have pleasure in conveying the kind wishes to the Mayoress. He was afraid, however, that Cr. Edwards’ remarks regarding his work were too flattering. He was. prepared to say that he did not expect ever to do so much- work again in one. year. In spite of the task undertaken and the difficulties that attended it, the work had given him real pleasure, and considerable satisfaction had been derived at seeing the many improvements that had been effected during the year. There was still a large programme of! work ahead of the council, .and he did look forward to seeing the work completed this season. If the bituminising of the roads was not completed this summer —and it was yet too early to state definitely that it would—the position would be. serious. With the possible exception of Puke Road, the highways would not stand up to the heavy motor traffic in their present condition. The bituminising would be pushed on without delay, but there were the elements to contend with, and other contingencies that might delay the work; but should it not be completed, the council and ratepayers could rest assured that it would not be for the want of trying. It would be a serious matter if the roads were broken up before winter, as they surely would be unless the work of scaling war steadily pursued. In his opinion the two matters of paramount importance were the steady continuance of the street work and the gaining of control of motor traffic within the borough. It would be unwise for the council to take further action under its by-laws until the Supreme Court case w.as disposed of. It was understood that the Government regulations dealing with motor traffic would be gazetted next week, and the council would then be able to take action under those regulations. He believed local bodies .had thd sympathy of the district magistrate, and he was confident the council would gain control -of traffic before very long. It was useless spending the ratepayers’ money in carrying out important works .unless there was some definite check and control of traffic. The Mayor said that at the present stage he could not say definitely, but it would probably be necessary to obtain an assistant to supervise the bitumen work. He woidd like the council to realise that me work in hand was important and be prepared to back up and co-operate with their executive head in carrying out the scheme.

After expressing good wishes to the councillors the Mayor said he wished to pay tribute to the good work and loyalty of the staff. The town clerk had had a strenuous year, and it was hoped that he would thoroughly enjoy his holiday. Praise was also due to the permanent outside staff, some of vzhom had been given a certain amount of responsibility and throughout had given of their best service. He trusted that all would appreciate the holiday and enjoy .a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. On the motion of Cu H. J. Hare it was resolved that the Works Committee be authorised to take such steps as were considered necessary to expedite the council’s roading scheme. When seconding the motion Cr. J. AV. Silcock said that the Mayor could rest assured that members of the council would back up whatever action was taken.