Second Edition MAYORAL INSTALLATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2, 7 May 1913, Page 6

Second Edition MAYORAL INSTALLATION.

—W.. —. ■■ 1 SPEECHES AT THE LOCAL ' 5j .CEPEMONY.' i The formal ceremony of the installation of -Mr W. P. Kirkwood' as Mayor of Stratford, and Messrs N. J. King, J. Masters, F. Arden, R. Dingle, J. Boon, 11. McK. Morison, J. W. Fredric,, and J. 13. Richards as councillors took place in the Borough Chambers this morning. On former occasions the public have taken some interest in this little function, but this year no “ode to the conqueror” was presented, and the chairs prepared for visitors remained vacant. Cr J. H. Thompson was unavoidably absent. THE MAYOR’S ADDRESS. Having duly read and signed the declaration, His Worship the Mayor briefly welcomed the new Councillors, —Messrs Richards, Fredric, and Arden, and said he had no doubt but that at the end of the Councillors’ term of office the electors would feel justified in their choice. Councillor Richards, he knew as a very energetic man, and one full of ideas; Councillor Fredric was a level-headed business man, and he felt sure that the bringing to bear of this Councillars business capacities on the affairs of the Borough would do good ; in Councillor Arden, they had a rno&t popular citizen. Mr Kirkwood went on to’say that be had not included Councillor Masters’ name among the new Councillors, for that Councillor’s municipal carreer was too well known to dilate upon. He was very pleased to have Mr Masters on the Council, and thought the position was rather unique that they should have two ex-mayors occupying seats on the Council. It seemed to him to show that there was not that lack of interest in municipal affairs that some people might think existed. Speaking of the future, Mr Kirkwood said that during the year they would have a great deal of work before them; though thorfe would he no loan money to he spent, they would have to do their best with the revenue at their disposal, and would have to go very care|pj)y. It appeared to him that Stratford had got to that stage when its revenue was not sufficient to do Work of permanent nature; loan money was really required. Howevei, he was not quarrelling with the ratepayers in their treatment of the loan proposals, though there appeared fa him to he very little possibility for some years of carrying a loan for any large amount. In such works as duplicating the water pipe line, he was not prepared to go to any expense without first obtaining a mandate from the electors as to whether they favored the expenditure or not. His Worship concluded that he hoped

during tiro year Councillors would be prepared to abide by tho majority rule; the Council would not go very far unless they were fully prepared to accept this. (Applause). Short speeches of congratulation were then made by all the Councillors. Councillor King referred to tiie very pleasant time they had had during tiieir past year’s service on the Council. He trusted that tho year would be a very prosperous one for tno whole of the Borough, and that the business would be transacted as it had been done in the past. He welcomed the new Councillors, and said that he felt sure that they, one and all, were actuated by a desire to do their level best for the good of tho Borough as a whole.

Councillor Masters spoke in similar strains, and stated his willingness at all times to abide by the decision of the majority. It had been evident, he said, that for some years parochialism had been present on the Council, which parochial spirit lie thought it was the desire of all level-headed men to crush. It was not in the best interests of the town that there should be any party feeling. Let every man work for the benelit of the Borough as a whole, because progress and parochialism were directly opposed to one another! The town must suffer when such a spirit was abroad, and it did suffer. (Applause). Councillor 11. McK. Morison, in extending congratulations to His Worship on his return unopposed to the office of Mayor, referred especially to the unanimity of the people of Stratford in desiring that Mr Kirkwood should again be their chief citizen. No doubt this year they would have to go slow, but slow and steady might win the race in the long run. Referring to the subject of parochialism, Mr Morison said he did not think that spirit ever emanated from the Council table. A voice: Oh. get out!

Councillor Morison: It had been abroad that that spirit existed among them, but those in the know knew otherwise. The south end had not been neglected to the extent that some would appear to make out, and he knew that in the future they could and would work amicably. Councillor Boon and Councillor Dingle also spoke words of welcome and of congratulation. The latter, in replying to Councillor -Masters’ remarks, said that he was sorry that there should he any feeling out north, south, east or west. Though there might have been a little feeling on this question in the.past, he was firmly of, the opinion that at this stage they should drop all that, and try and work together for tlm general good. (Applause). Councilor Richards spoke, feelingly on his thoughts as a new Councillor “1 feel,” he said, “somewhat like a child digging his feet into deep watei', and hot knowing the depth or what is before.” Continuing, the Councillor said that he trusted they would be able, to work together in the spirit of amity. Touching on the sentiments expressed by Councillor Masters, he drew .the attention of Councillors to the njottp of the Borough—“Kia PiPiri,”; ; which, be understood, meant, “Shoulder to Shoulder.” , Before he came to Stratford he was told that there was a spirit in Stratford winch bound the people together for the good of the Borough, working as a wedge. Councillor Morison; So tlieio is. Councillor King: So there used to

Councillor Richards went on to say that that reputation still lived, at least iii the minds of the people abroad, and he trusted that they as councillors would continue to justify that reputation. Bearing in mind the achievements of previous members of the Stratford Borough Council, it gave him . much pleasure to have the opportunity of in their lootsteps. (Applause.) Councillors Arden and h redric spoke in similar strain. In reply, His Worship thanked the councillors for their expressions of good-will. The word parochialism, he thought was not used in its right sense in the way it was used-by councillors. He did not think that on any occasion there should lie any other feeling hut that they were one body, and that the Council represented the whole. Ho felt that the spirit mentioned by them would die out, if it was not dead now. ft was only in heated moments that this spirit crept in, and all they had to do was to guard against it in the future.- (Applause.)