NEW MAYOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26630, 28 November 1947, Page 3

NEW MAYOR

Mr Cooney Installed

There was a large attendance of the public at the Borough Council Chambers yesterday afternoon for the installation of Mr M. F. E. Cooney in the office of Mayor of Oamaru. Mrs J. Branthwaite presented bouquets to Mrs Cooney, the new Mayoress, and to Mrs A. R. 'fait. The retiring Mayor, Mr J. C. Kirkness, expressed pleasure in installing the re-cently-elected Mayor to office. He congratulated Mr and Mrs Cooney on their re-election, and conveyed good wishes for a happy term of office. Mr Cooney had served before as Mayor, and knew his duties. Mr Kirkness wished Mr Cooney and the new council good luck. He said he hoped that the borough would prosper under his leadership for the next three years.

Mr Kirkness also congratulated those councillors who had been re-elected, and paid a tribute to the services given by the retiring councillors—Messrs A. R. Tait, D. V. G. Smith, W. R. Williams, and H. S. Stevens. He said that Mr Tail had given long and faithful service to the borough for 161 years, as well as serving on other bodies, on one of which he was chairman. He thought it was a pity his services should be lost to the community. Referring to his term of office, Mr Kirkness said that it included four years o) war, which was a strenuous period. Oamaru and North Otago had taken a worthyplace during that time in the nation’s affairs, and he thanked the people for

their support. He also thanked the councillors and staff for their co-operation since July, 1943. The sum of £2750 had been given from the Mayor’s Relief Fund to needy cases, and he left to the Mayor £750 in the fund. Mr Cooney thanked Mr Kirkness for arranging the function and for his good wishes. He said that no Mayor had worked harder than Mr Kirkness, especially during the war years, when he met returned soldiers, sick and wounded at all hours of the day or night. Under his leadership in patriotic work Oamaru had attained a high place in New Zealand, this being attributable to his enthusiastic and hard work. His daughter had brought charm and dignity to the office of Mayoress. There had been a big change, Mr Cooney said, since he was first installed in office 14 years ago. Oamaru had progressed and the citizens should all be proud of the town and inculcate a high civic pride. He hoped the Municipal Library would function as soon, as possible, and said that the borough finances were never sounder than to-day. In 13 years the annual payment of £17,500 on the borough debt would be wiped out. He promised that anything his wife or he could do to further the interest of the borough would be done, and he sough, their co-operation.

Special Council Meeting. At a special meeting of the council held subsequently, Cr J. Meikle was appointed Deputy Mayor. Cr Meikle said that he had been elected at the top of the poll on three occasions, and he felt it his duty to accept the position. The Mayor’s honorarium was fixed at £250, the same as in the past three years. The appointment of committee chairmen resulted Finance, Cr J. I. McEwan; Water, Cr A: E. Hodge; Library Cr A Wilson; By-laws, Cr F. J. D. Blackgrove, Milk Cr A. Hamilton; Town Hall Cr E. S. Stubbs; Works, Cr D. S. Bain; Gardens and Reserves, Cr B. Steven; Lighting, Cr H R. Wise; Abattoir, Cr T. R. Beatty, Eaths Cr W. R. Laney; Gas, Cr J. Meikle.