THE MAYORALTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5411, 15 April 1929, Page 2

THE MAYORALTY.

DEPUTATION TO MR. MARSHALL

AGREEMENT TO STAND AGAIN.

On Friday afternoon a representative deputation, headed by Cr. E. Edwards, deputy-Mayor, waited on Mr W. Marshall, Mayor of Paeroa, and presented to him a memorial from the burgesses of the town couched in the following terms : — “This memorial of the undersigned ratepayers and burgesses of the Borough of Paeroa is tendered to you as an expression of the very high esteem in which you are held by the people of Paeroa. You are now approaching the end of your sixth year of service as Mayor of the borough. During this time it is no exaggeration to say that never a problem affecting the welfare of the community has arisen but it has been immediately faced, carefully considered, and finally solved and overcome to the lasting advantage and benefit of the town. Not content to wait for circumstances to create a necessity, you never missed an opportunity to divine the most effective means of adding to the corporation’s permanent assets and of providing those services which spell progress. This has been done in every case at a cost which must be the admiration and envy of other local bodies, and which has earned the gratitude of every ratepayer in the borough. It is realised that the low cost of capital works qnd the economical expenditure of revenue are due to youi' extraordinary sacrifice of time and energy on the borough works, and to the wonderfully able manner in which you have carried them out.

“We wish to place on record our sincere appreciation of the good work you have done, not only as Mayor of the borough, but also in the numerous sports bodies, the Beautifying Society, and the fields of public endeavour of every 'description in which you have interested yourself to such good purpose. If you can no longer continue in office, we must concede that, you have earned your respite many times over. We would not then burden the air with selfish regrets, but wish you the greatest happiness' and prosperity in whatevei' field of endeavour you may create. We realise, however, that there is still much work to be done, and there are many problems to be faced in the near future : although the borough has' passed safely through a very critical stage of its progress it still requires that careful attention and practical guidance which you are most fitted to give. We are accordingly loath to let you go without a final appeal to you to accept nomination for a further term.”

Mr Edwards, who read the .memorial on behalf of the.'signees before presenting it to His Worship, referred in eulogistic terms to the services Mr Marshall had rendered not only the borough, but the community as a whole. He had devoted a tremendous lot of time and energy for the benefit of the town, and through his efforts great improvements had been made in all directions. Some works which had been undertaken during his term of office were not quite completed, and Mr Edwards was sure that Mr Marshall would like to see them completed under his personal supervision. The memorial ahput to be presented had been freely signed ; there had been no hesitation in the matter, people being only too willing to set dowm their names, as everyone in Paeroa fully realised and was fully appreciative of, the great amount of work and good accomplished- by Mr Marshall. In hoping that the Mayor would see his way clear to continue in office the speaker said he fully realised the sacrifices gentleman would have to make, and fully realised, too, what sacrifices they were asking Mrs Marshall to make, as she would be denied a good deal of social life in order that the public might benefit by her husband’s services.

Cr. F. E. Flatt alluded specially to the fact that although Mr Marshall was firstly a mechanical man, he had keenly interested himself in the financial side of borough affairs and understood those matters thoroughly. As chairman of the finance committee he had always found Mr Marshall of the greatest assistance. In placing mechanical men and doctors in the same category in one respect, the speaker said they could not write or finance, but the Mayor had proved an exception to the rule. During his term of office Mr Marshall had saved the town a tremendous amount of money: In pointing out that the whole of the council had signed rhe memorial Mr Flatt considered that should carry some weight towards helping His Worship to make his decision. The council had always worked with the greatest of equanimity. In hoping that Mr Mars'cali would continue foi’ another two years be also realised the sacrifice called for from Mrs Marshall ; but if rhe looked at it from the same point of iew as they did she would no doubt try and persuade Mr Marshall to aeeept office for another term.

In the course of a short speech Mr C. N. O’Neill stressed the lacL that those burgesses called upon were unanimous in their desire to sign the petition. The unanimity shown was tangible evidence of the townspeople’s appreciative attitude towards Mr Marshall. He desired to explain that many ratepayers had not been asked to sign merely because ther- had not been time to get round them all. Mr O’Neill, in directly addressing the Mayor, said that if Mr Marshal: did drop out he would not be content to do nothing for the public. He had spent so many years in fitting himself for the position he now held that it was a pity to throw that experience away, and waste what he nad built up.

Mr L. E. Cassrels said that as a large ratepayer he was loath to see the borough lose the services of the present Mayor. Mr Marshall in his able administration had saved him pounds. At the same time, he had signed the petition with some diffidence, realising what sacrifices the

acceptance of another*~term of office would mean to Mr Marshall. At this Mr O’Neill remarked that on that score they had all signed with diffidence. Everyone realised full well what acceptance of a further two years would entail to the Mayor. The memorial was not so much an urge to do, as it was an expression of public opinion.

After Messrs S. J. Laughlin and D. Leach had spoken briefly, Mr Brenan concluded the deputation’s speeches by supporting the remarks of those before him and their well set out views. He was loath to lose Mr Marshall’s leadership, and although with a certain amount of diffidence, he had no hesitation in asking His Worship to stand again.

His Worship the Mayor, in replying, said that the memorial had taken him completely by surprise. If a petition were to be circulated he had hoped to keep on the track of it and quash it, but had failed, being aware of what was going on only a few days ago. First of all he wished to express his appreciation of the sentiments recorded towards his good wife, every word of which was deserved. A public man made many calls on his own family for sacrifices. He had expected as his only reward for public service was the knowledge that he had done his duty to the best of his ability, and if expecting appreciation of his services he was due for disappointment ; but the feeling in the town rather belied that. The past two years had been hard work, though at the same time he had enjoyed it, and it had given him satisfaction. The co-operation the councillors had given him he would never forget; there had been no controversy, no wrangles. As a result of the memorial he was giving deep thought to the question of standing again, although previously he had quite definitely decided to drop public life and take up other activities. If he had to decide that he was unable to take office again it would be only his private interests which would make it impossible to accede to the present request. He would give the matter his most earnest consideration over the week-end and let Mr Edwards know his decision on Monday. He greatly appreciated the expressions made with reference to himself that dify, and intended that, if possible, he would carry on.

As promised, His Worship gave his decision to Mr Edwards this morning. His decision was that while reluctantly consenting to the request of the deputation he would much prefer to be relieved. In accepting the invitation to stand, Mr Marshall said that he reserved the right to ask the council at the end of twelve months to relieve him of the position if he found that it was necessary owing to private reasons.