MUNICIPAL MATTERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 83, 15 April 1913, Page 2

MUNICIPAL MATTERS.

LAST MEETING OF THE YEAR. Tho Borough Council met hist ( veiling half an hour earlier than usual, and after disposing of a little routine business, there was an hour or so, which was devoted to reviewing the work of the year. Speeches were made by all present, and compliments were flying. His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. P. Kirkwood) read his annual report, which was published in our columns yesterday, and supplemented his remarks by referring to tho capable manner in which the Town Clerk (Mr P. Skoglund) and the Borough Overseer (Mr T. D. Sullivan) had performed their arduous duties throughout the year. A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. Cr. N. J. King congratulated His Worship on being able to bring down such an excellent report of the year’s working. He considered that Mr Kirkwood acted throughout in the best interests of the ratepayers, and if he had not pleased all, he had..at least pleased the majority. Cr, King then went on to discuss the matter of a working foreman, and said he thought Stratford had outgrown the staged when it required such a man. Mr Sullivan had done excellent service this year, had saved tho borough a great deal of money, and ho could only congratulate their overseer on tho working of the borough throughout the year. Speaking of himself, Cr. King said he had not yet decided whether he would again 'contest a seat on tho council. In conclusion, he paid f tribute to the ability and courtesy of the borough’s officials and staff. Referring especially to, his Worship, the speaker said that though he had sat under a good few Mayors, he had never during the ‘course of his experience enjoyed him'self better than under the present Mayor. (Applause). Tho matter of a working foreman having been mentioned, his Worship took occasion to remark that Stratford had outgrown the time when a working foreman was required. It might be conceded that up to a certain point a working foreman was desirable, but beyond that the borough needed an overseer. Mr Sullivan was tho right man for Stratford. Although not a certified engineer, Mr Sullivan knew his work, and was very close to being a fully qualified engineer. In taking leave of the Council, Mr Kirkwood said that he hoped some of the old Councillors would he returned with the, new Council. Ho understood that t Cr. Healy theonly one so far who -Iktd definitely,, de-i cided .not, to again offer his servicesto the electors. pHe very mjiich re-| gretted that Cr. Healy had madebthis decision, and hd wVnSild like to'‘see. placed on record hi ; s i; approciati(ln of J Cr. Healy’s services to the borough. The Councillor had done.,very good work,.-and he knew .that, the ratepayers fully appreciated that work. His Worship, in remarking that Cr.. Healy had attended.‘to las work, as a Councillor diligently arid Jv, read a list of the of the councillors. During the year.thirtythree Council meetings had he£n called, and of these His -Worship Bad attended the whole number. Councillors Healy and Morisoir had attended 32 meetings each, then came Crs. N J. King, T. Lawson and J? W. Boon, with 30 each; Cr. Ward, 28 (leave ol

absence for five); Cr. J.. McAllister. 23; Cr. Dingle, 21 (called to 23); Cr.. J. H. Thompson, 18 (called to 23); Cr. Sangster, 7 (8); and Cr. Paget. 6 (8). His Worship concluded that it was in the very best interests of the borough that the best talent available should be obtained, for the Council table, and ho hoped that the best citizens would allow themselves to be nominated during ,ne next unction. (Applause.) Cr. Healv briefly thanked his Worship for the kind remarks he had made, and for that courtesy v.’ncli Mr Kirkwood had always extended to him. He regretted other duties made it imperative for him to relinquish an activp interest in the affairs of the borough. Cr. Healy made special reference to the Town Clerk’s ability and courtesy.

The reference to Mr Skoglund drew forth 1 many complimentary remarks as to that officer’s ability, Cr. King stating that in his opinion Mr Skoglund was quite as good an officer as his predecessor.

‘ Cr. Dingle, in thanking his Worship, the Councillors and the staff, for their general courtesy, defended his statement made previously with regard to a working foreman, and said that if returned to the Council he would use his best to have that s'ystem instituted. He might lose votes, if the ratepayers were perfectly satisfied with the present system, but he wished it plainly understood what his views were on this subject. In conclusion, Cr. Dingle referred to the pleasant time they had on the Council. He had understood that the Council was a bear-garden, but he had found it a hard-working body, and one on which they had had a very good time.

A voice: AVo got rid of the Dear! (Laughter.) Councillors R. McK. Morison, J. W. Boon, and T. La wson also spoke, and added their quota to the general tribute. The Mayor was voted his usual honorarium, and a special honorarium of ten guineas was voted to the Town Clerk in recognition of the thorough manner in which Mr Skoglund had got through a very heavv vear’.s work.