COUNTY COUNCIL FUNCTION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 714, 21 October 1914, Page 5

COUNTY COUNCIL FUNCTION.

RETIRING COUNCILLORS ENTERTAINED. The data of the forthcoming elections for County Councils in the Dominion having been fixed for Kcverobar llth, Monday evening's meeting of the Waitomo Council was the last ordnary meetiing of that body The opportunity was take for the stair of ths Council and the County solicitors to entertain the retiring councillors at u dinner at the Hotel Gianda, In addition to the councillors a large number of guests from both town and country attended. Mr G. P. Finlay occupied the chair. A highclass menu wa3 prepared by the hoßt, Mr G. Home;-, and after full justice had been done to the good things provided a number of toasts were honoured.

In proposing the "Navy and Army," Mr N. G. Matthew referred to the duty nobly being done by both branches of the service at the* present time in the cause or civilisation. Captain Barry, in responding, referred to the readiness of the Pominion at all times to assist the cause of the Empire. The fact that the Maoris were sending a contingent to the front indicated the loyalty of the native races. The toast of "The Retiring Members of the County Council" was proposed by Mr G. Elliot, who referred to the progress mads in the local Council during the last few years. He paid a tribute to the work of councillors in the early years of eet tlement. Mr J.P . Walsh also spoke to the toaat. Mr Scholes in replying t»aif! ha trusted the efforts of the Council had been appreciated. He would like to place on record his appreciation of the manner in which the councillors had worked together for the advancement of the district and their loyalty to their brother councillor*. Some idea of the manner in which the Council had progressed mighS be obtained from the fact that during the past three years the Council had handled loan money for permanent work to the extent of nearly £55,000. This had carried a Government subsidy of £ for £, and thus a sum of nearly £IIO,OOO had been expended in permanent work in the County at a very low coßt to the settlers. The system of setting aside tha thirds on Crown lands to meet interest and sinking fund on loans htd been adopted, and this, he had always contended, wa3 the best method of promoting roading schemes. An a result the ssttlers in the County had only found about £I3OO by way of special rates to meet interest on tha amount borrowed, while the eubsidy granted by the Government reduced the inter«st by half. Continuing, the speaker said they had got early to work this season, and already had contracts let for over forty mile's'of metalling, while a considerable' amount of work had already been got through, his,showed that the councillors wsra alive to the necessity for progresß and it was fortunate the contracts had been let so early in view of the. war conditions, otherwise they "would have had to b3, content with a considerably restricted programme for the season. Messrs Johnston, O' Dwyer and Smyth also replied on behalf of the Council. 1 The toast of "Kindred Local Bodies" waa proposed by Cr Pottß, and responded to by Mr W.'H. Sandison, chairman of the Ohura County Council, and Mr Kelly, an Ohura councillor'. Mr Sandison paid a tribute to Waitomo Council and expressed appreciation of the assistance received by the Ohura Council from Waiiomo. ■''The County Ratepayers' Association" was proposed by Cr Smyth who referred to the assistance it was possible for tha Association to render to the Council. Mr R. B. Webber, on behalf of the Association, responded in excellent style. "Our Allies" waa proposed by Cr O'Dwyer, who referred to the eontest at present being waged by the Allies against Kaiserdom. Mr Howarfch in reply spoke in a isimilar strain emphasising the fact that tee it was the life and death struggle of civiliastion. "The Allies had gone into the struggle in a calm, determined spirit, without hatred or passion, They became honourably involved and would emerge with honour. Tii9 attitude of the non-combatants waa a reflex ofi the spirit of the men in thß trenches, and't'he war would bewaged to the bitter end. During tha evening, the County chairman made a presentation on behalf of the retiring councillors to Mr P. Mora, clerk and Mr E. K. Gould, snpiiiSSP to tno Council, of two handsome silver inkstanos. In making the presentation, Mr Scholes paid a warm tribute to the officers mentioned for the work done in the interests of tha district.. The County clerk waa the financier of the Council, and had during his term, handled the amount of £77,000 and the Council had only paici £2l in interest to tha Bank on account of overdraft. This showed careful and efficient management, and in other respects Mr Mora had shown remarkable aptitude and initiative in promoting and carrying out progressiva schemes. It was to Mr Gould'B credit that he had since March 31st last got contracts let and the work in hand for over forty miles of metallinn. He had to handle the work of a big'" County, and his capacity bad been thoroughly proved Dornig the evening a number of vocal items wera rendered by tha following in really high-class style:— Messrs N. B Lusk, Blackman, Prescott Pattison and Conway. The gathering conlcuded shortly after eleven o'clock by singing "Auld Lang Syne" nnd the National Anthem.