BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1542, 25 April 1916, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

APPOINTMENT OF TOWN CLERK.

A special meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday evening last, for the purpose of appointing a successor to Mr C. J, KentJohnston. His Worship the Mayor and all Councillors were present with the exception of Councillor Simmons, for whom an apology was received owing to having to leave suddenly for Wellington. The report of the Selection Committee submitting five names out of the 44 applicants was adopted. The applications of these five with their testimonials were then read. While this was being done a letter was received from the gentleman who was recommended for first choice withdrawing his application, so this left only four in. The Council then appointed the gentleman second on the list, viz , Mr R. H. Irwin, of Remuera, Auckland. Mr Irwin is a married man of 48 years, and has five children. From 1902 until 1909 he was town clerk of the Grey Lynn Borough Council, and Irom 1909 until 1914 he was secretary and treasurer of the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board. Since leaving the latter body Mr Irwin has been and is at present employed in the capacity ot accountant in a solicitor’s office.

Before the meeting terminated the following resolution on the motion of Cr Freeman, seconded by Cr Coley, was carried unanimously ; “That the Council accord a cordial vote of thanks to Mr C, J. Kent-Johnston for the very efficient way in which he has dis charged his duties as Town Clerk and Borough Treasurer during the past two years and nine mouths/’ In moving the resolution Cr Freeman said he thought it only right and fair that the Council should place on record their appreciation of the manner in which Mr KentJohnston had carried out his duties- Month alter month whenever they came to the Council table, every thing was in proper order and they knew how well he had everything up at the end of the financial year. He had always found him obliging and willing to supply himself or any one else with whatever information that was necessary, He felt sure he was voicing the opinion of the Council when he said he was very sorry that Mr Kent-Johnston had tor family reasons lound it necessary to resign the town clerkship.

Each one of the Councillors then spoke in terms of appreciation of the way in which Mr Kent-Johnston had discharged his duties, and their regret at his departure.

In putting the resolution, the Mayor said, that on the night that they dealt with Mr Kent-John-ston’s resignation he had spoken of his appreciation of the very efficient manner in which the Town Clerk had carried out his work. He would like to say again what he had already said : that he as well as all the Councillors, was sorry Mr Kent-Johnston had found it necessary to give up the town clerkship, for as an accountant himself he knew that Mr Kent-Johnston was a thoroughly competent accountant, and one who was well up in local body book-keeping and understood local body work all through, and he could say that he was quite sure that the Council could not get a better town clerk, or one that could do the work better than Mr Kent-Johnston. Mr Kent-Johustou briefly thanked the Councillors for their expressions of appreciation, and' stated that if he had “bumped up against” some, well, it was nor done intentionally, but ior the good of the Council. His first aim all the time was to do what was best for the Council, and if he had given the Council the satisfaction as stated by Councillors, then he was satisfied, as he did not go by outside criticism, but by the opinions of Councillors. In con elusion he would ask Councillors to make themselves really acquainted with the amount of office work, let their clerk show them the real work. He instanced the increase in the amount of office work since he took up the town clerkship, pointing out that in the gas works ledger alone now the office has to keep more than fifty accounts more than when he took it over from Mr Fraser, the late Town Cierk. Mr Kent-Johnston wished the Council and the borough every prosperity. Mr Irwin will take up his duties as Town Clerk on May ist.