Exchanging Compliments.

Patea Mail, 23 November 1881, Page 3

Exchanging Compliments.

At Monday’s meeting of the new Borough Council, all the members being present, The Mayor said : Allow me to congratulate yon on having once more met around this board those who have been much associated with public matters ; and also to welcome two gentlemen who arc new to municipal matters, but not new by connection with various public bodies in the district. It is a matter for us to congratulate ourselves upon that no less than seven members of the late Town Board here have been returned by the public to seats on this Council, and we may take that as a guarantee that the public are satisfied with our past actions. I have been associated with eight of those present in various public capacities, and the best guarantee we can have for future harmonious working will be the fact that those members have previously worked harmoniously together. I do not say we always agreed, but where we differed it was on principle, yet we worked harmoniously for the common good. I must inform you that it is quite competent at this meeting to transact any business ; but this first meeting is usually considered as merely formal. I thoroughly believe we shall work together for the good of the public. We have perhaps bad little differences in the late election, but I hope all feeling will now cease. I am sure it will bn my side. I shall on all occasions use my best efforts to discharge the duties fairly and impartially. I intend to ask you to form at least two committees. There will be important functions to be carried out, and I think the working of those functions should be practically in the hands of committees—Public Works and Finance. I do not intend to seek a seat on those committees, because I intend to ask you to return me to a very important office as a member of the Harbor Board, which will involve a deal of work. The Borough is now represented by two members on the Harbor Board. I believe the municipality will never lose sight of the importance of the harbor, but will at all times be careful that they are well represented on that Board ; and I think the time has come when this Council should be there represented by some one who lias intimate acquaintance with the working of the Harbor Act. I do not contemplate any interference with the gentleman who now occupies the chair on the Harbor Board. It will be my object to assist him. It will also be my duty to oppose any illegal acts, or any acts calculated to injure the interests of the harbor, which are so much identified with the interests of the town. I have learnt with regret that a tax has been imposed which I do not consider necessary-at present; and that works are contemplated which are not in accordance with Acts under which the Board is woi-king. It is as well to be plain on these points, and to impress on you the importnnee of being represented on that Board. Let me allude to the worthy Chairman of the late Town Board. I have had differences with him. Perhaps they have gone a little too far on both sides in the late contest. I am willing to be his friend if he is willing to be mine. I do not seek to have one single man in this Council or outside to sink any of his own independence. The Mayor made other remarks, and asked the Council to assist him in the work before them. Councillor Milroy moved that the ordinary meetings of the Council he the first Monday in each month, at 7 p.m. Seconded by Councillor Taplin, Councillor Milroy: Your Worship, I think this is about the first step we have to take. The place of regular meetings I will leave an open question. Motion agreed to, the next meeting to be at Mr Harris’s office. BYE-LAWS. The Mayor said he would bring forward bye-laws for consideration at next meeting. Bye-laws of other Councils are to be obtained. NEW OFFICES. : Councillor Taplin gave notice of motion that steps he taken to erect suitable chambers on the late Town Board’s section, to hold Borough Council meetings in. , CONGRATULATION. Councillor A. Black, as the member lowest on the poll, congratulated the Mayor on the position he had attained. The future working of the Council will depend principally on the Mayor, and he hoped the Council would join in making

this a Borough second to none in the colony.

The Councillors adjourned, at the Mayor’s invitation, for a social glass of wine: He regretted to have to omit the more substantial ceremony usual on such occasions, but on some future occasion he hoped they might fittingly celebrate their inauguration.