PLAINS CHAIRMAN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3269, 28 May 1943, Page 5

PLAINS CHAIRMAN

MR PARFITT RETURNED RE-ELECTED UNOPPOSED COUNTY FINANCES VERY SOUND At the annual meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council held at Ngatea on Wednesday, Mr C. W. Par- ’ fitt was re-elected to the position of chairman of the council. When the county clerk, Mr E. A. Mahoney called for nominations for the position of chairman for the ensuing year, Mr D. G, McMillan nominated Mr C. W. Parfitt, the sitting chairman, paying a tribute to the service rendered to the county by Mr 'Parfitt who was always calm, cool and collected no matter what the circumstances were. This was the type of man needed at the head of the county in the present difficult days.

The nomination was seconded by Mr C. W. Schultz and there being no further nomination the clerk declared Mr Parfitt elected. Settlement After Wai-

Mr Parfitt, in returning thanks, pointed out that at present the finances of the county were in very good order and he would strive to keep them so until victory had been won. There was still a long way to go before victory would be obtained but the Allies to-day were in a better position to obtain it than they had been for a long time, continued Mr Parfitt.

It is up to every person in the country to take an interest in public affairs to-day to ensure that the district will be ready to go ahead when the present conflict ends, added Mr Parfitt.

When the war ended there would be much land settlement and the Hauraki Plains was an area whiteh should participate to a large extent in this rehabilitation. The council would have to be ready with its finances in order to meet this development and he would do his best to see that the finances were in such order that there would be no hold-up in the settlement scheme. Worst Roads In County Continuing, Mr Parfitt said that with the present shortage of labour and materials the policy of the council was maintenance of what they had at present. “The worst surfaced roads in the county to-day are the State highways,” added Mr Parfitt, adding that possibly this was due also to war conditions. In conclusion Mr Parfitt expressed his appreciation to the ratepayers and settlers on the Hauraki Plains for the manner in which they had responded to patriotic appeals. The Plains had always found the quota asked of them and he was sure the appeal at present being made would meet the same success. * Most people responded very well to patriotic appeals but some unfortunately did not measure up to their obligations as they should do, continued Mr Parfitt. These people did not realise what they owed to the men in the Armed Forces who were making great sacrifices even to giving up their lives that they might live in freedom and comfort. Mr Parfitt referred to the Government’s War Loan, stating that in his opinion if the council had any funds to spare it should invest it with the Government to assist in the prosecution of the present fight against the Axis Powers. He considered the council could invest £sooo’ in the War Loan without in any way endangering the finances of the council. Appreciation of the confidence placed in him again was expressed in Mr Parfitt’s concluding remarks, assuring the council he would do all he could in the interests of the district generally in the days which lay ahead. Those present at the annual meeting were Messrs 0. W. Parfitt (chairman), J. F. Mayn, D. G. McMillan, C. W. Schultz, F. Pinchess, A. H. Sutton, W. E. Hale, J. W. Neate, the county clerk, Mr E. A. Mahoney and the county engineer, Mr J. C. Clarke. Leave of absence was granted Mr W. H. Cheale.