INSTALLATION OF MAYOR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1394, 6 May 1915, Page 3

INSTALLATION OF MAYOR.

The Mayor elect, Mr AU. Fraser, was installed into th office at noon yesterday, by the retiring Mayor, Mr G. FI. Stiles. Mr Stiles congratulated Mr Fraser upon having received the highest honour in the power of the citizens to confer, and said he was sure the work of the Council, in Mr Fraser’s hands, would not suffer. Personally he was sorry to give up the Mayoral duties, as the borough work during the time be had been connected with the Council had been very pleasant duties. He desired to express his thanks to the public for the confidence they had reposed in him during the 14 years he had represented them as Councillor and Mayor, and also to thank the Councillors who had been associated with him during that time, the Town Clerk (Mr Kent John ston), and the Mayor (Mr Fraser) during the lime he occupied the position of Town Clerk, for their assistance and kindness, without which he would not have been able to successfully carry out the duties of his office. During the past few years there was no doubt the borough had made substantial progress, and while it was impossible to do everything that one would like to do, he had no doubt all would agree that they had during the past few years done all possible with the means at their disposal. He congratulated the old Councillors on their re-electiou, and welcomed the new Councillors to the table, and said the Mayor should be glad to have such an excellent Council to work with. If the Councillors carried out their duties conscientiously and faithfully he felt sure they would be again honoured with the confidence of the electors at future polls. In conclusion, Mr Stiles said he had pleasure in vacating the chair for Mr Frrser, and again congratulated him and Mrs Fraser on occupying the positions ol Mayor and Mayoress of Foxton. Mr Fraser then made the statutory declaration, and took his seat. He thanked Mr Stiles for his kindly references to himseif and Mrs Fraser. R derriug to Mr Stiles’ connection with the Council, he said he knew, perhaps more than anyone, the great sacrifices made by Mr Stiles in order to serve the electors. The position of Mayor called lor a good deal of time, which Mr Stiles had ungrudgingly given, and during the long period he had been connected with the Council his only desire was to further the interests of the borough, and he no doubt deserved the thanks of the electors. He congratulated the old Councillors on their re-election, ami welcomed the new ones. He knew they were all there to further the pro-> gress and advancement of the borough, and although there was no doubt they would not see eye to eye on all matters tnal came up for consideration, they would all do what they considered best in the interests of the borough as a whole. He asked the n .-w Councillors to make tbemse.ves conversant with the Standing Orders, as he intended to conduct the business in strict conformity with same. Personally lie was a long way from perfect and bad many faults, and affred Councillors to bear with him and give him all the assistance in their power to uphold the dignity of the position, and he felt sure the business would be transacted in a manner satisfactory to the Council and. the electors, He thanked Mr Stiles tor his expressions ol good will. All the Councillors, with the exception of Cr Whibley, we e present, and made the necessary declaration.

Cr Henderson said he was sotry they were losing their old Mai or, but he hoped it would not mean good bye, but that some time in the future they would again see him occupying the position. In their new Mayor they were iortuuate iu having a man who had everything in connection with Borough matters at his huger ends, being thoroughly conversant with all municipal matters. He thought that in the new Council the Mayor would find a body of men that would work well together. Cr Freeman congratulated the Mayor upon his election, and also the five new Councillors. He ielt sure they were all there to do their best for the borough. He was glad to see vouug business men on the Council, and considered that business men should lake au interest in the welfare of the town in which they live. Cr Simmons said as one of the five new Councillors he wished to express his thanks for the welcome extended, and expressed the hope that their actions would justify their election.

The Mayor thanked the Councillors for their welcome. He agreed with Cr Henderson that they would all work well together, as their only object was to further the interests of Foxton.