HONOURING THE MAYOR.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 211, 10 July 1914, Page 3

HONOURING THE MAYOR.

Presentation to Mr C. K.

Lawrie.

The Premier Hall was packed on Tuesday night. Not only was it Impossible to get a seat, but standing room was at a premium. The promoters are 10 be congratulated upon the idea of amalgamating the presentation ceremony with an entertainment. Pictures dramatic, comic and topical—constituted tht first half of the r,rcgramme. The second portion was opened with an overture by the Pukekobe orchestra, and sulis queutly the Lyric Four with "song and story" provided an excellent entertainment. Midway through the pioceedings the cresertation to the Mayor, Mr C. K. Lawrie, was made. Mr J. Roulston, who was chairman, in a very britf speech asked Mr A. B. Barter to make the presentation. Mr Barter, in his opening remarks, apologised for anv shortcomings in his speech and in the event ot his voice failing to be heard throughout the hall. The placard which is said to have ornamented a Western dancing hall in the United States, on which were ths words: "Don't shoot; the man at the'piano is doing bis best," should have been placed as a motto on the stage. He would do bis best. He first of all wished to congratulate Mr and Mrs Lawrie on the birth of a dsughter. He was i.ot going to make a great many very flattering remarks about Mr Lawrie; he was net gowa>to say that he had risen to the height of fame that Mr Parr had, but he thought they would all agres with him that for kindliness of heart, selfsacrifice in the public welfare and attention to his duties Mr Lawrie was on a par with the Mayor of Auckland. (Applause). Two years ago, when the Town Board rose to the sphere of a borough, one of the first duties was to elect a Mayor. A gentleman was elected, and to the surprise of the ratepayers resigned Bix months after being placed in office. The councillors then put Mr Lawrie at the head of affairs, and at the ntxt election he was returned unopposed. At the last election a councillor thought he could manage affairs better than Mr Lawrie, but the electors left Mr Lawrie in office. He congratulated Mr Patterson on the excellent fight he had put up and on having the courage of his convictions to come before the public. Mr Lawrie had, be believed, gone through an anxious time at the election. He could sympathise with him because he (the Bpeaker) had had the same experience at the election for first Mayor. But there was this difference. "Mr Lawrie was deadly scared he would not get in; I wasjdeadly scared I would." (Laughter.) The spontaneous recognition of the presentation initiated by the committee proved that the public agreed with their action. He did not think the work done by the Mayor and councillors was fully appreciated. Many people thought all they had to do was to meet once or twice a month to decide how the ratepayers' money was to be spent. But this was the easiest part of the work. Councillors were usually members cf two or three committees and the duties of these were onerous. Thsy even necessitated that should go to Auckland and have trips in motor cars and motor launches to discover some suitable material to pave "the grand canal of King street." (Laughter). Councillors had to frequently put their hands into their pockets-"they will this year to provide a silver cradle for the addition to the Mayor's family." They might not all see eye to eye with the Mayor, or agree with all the Council did, but it was only fitting that they should recognise Mr Lawrie's . services to the borough and the energy he displayed. Though the presentation was made to the Mayor as the head of the Council some of the glory must reflect on the councillors. He hoped the presentation would encourage Mr Lawrie to go on with hia public duties and be an incentive to others to come forward and offer their services to the boroußh. He did not think Ml Lawrie, during his term of office, cculd make Pukekohe a garden suburb or a model city, but when Pukekohe became a place they would all have reason to be proud of Mr Lawrie and the councillors could look back with satisfaction on the share of the work tbey had done. "Mr Lawrie, I now beg to present you, on behalf of the public of Pukekohe, with this gold watch snd chain as a slight token of their esteem and appreciation of your efforts, and may you live long to do service to the citizens of this town." Mr Barter then handed Mr Lawrie the gold watch and chain, the watch bearing the following inscription: "C. K. Lawrie, Esq., Mayor. Token of esteem from residents of Pukekohe. 7th July. 1014." "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," three hearty cheers for Mr Lawrie, and three more for Mrs Lawrie and the baby followed. Mr Lawrie, who was loudly applauded on rising, thanked the committee and subscribers for their kindness, and the public for coming forward in such numbers un this occasion. He felt that the honour was not only to himself, but to the Councillors. Without the co-opera-ton of the Council he could not have carried out the little l,e had done. He could aisuie them they had a good Council, and he asked the public to co-operate with the Council in pushing Pukekohe ahead. Two loan proposals had been brought forward at the lait meeting, ot the Council and he trusted that the ratepayers would support the Council in these. In concluding, he thanked the public of Pukekohe for their very handsome gift and fur the splendid reception given him that eveniDg. (Applause)