Past and Future.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 13, 6 May 1914, Page 5

Past and Future.

INSTALLING THE IVIAYOR.

“LET BYCONES BE BYGONES.”

The ceremony 9! installing Mr W. P Kirkwood as Mayor of Stratford took place at the Borough Council Chambers this morning, all members of the Council being present except Cr. Dingle, who forwarded an apology for absence. Five members of the public were present. Proceedings opened with the making of the statutory declaration by the Mayor. Cr. King congratulated the Mayoi on his once more taking the chair. There had been a strenuous light m the Mayoral contest. The Mayor had been returned by a majority which clearly* indicated the confidence of burgesses, but as the Mayor’s major.ity was only sixty out of about 11UU votes it was also indicated that public opinion was fairly well divided. Personallv he was glad the contest was over. During the election many things wertf said which it was better to have left unsaid, but at the same time free, discussion let burgesses hear both sides of the question.' In the past he had acted in the best interests of the Borough and would continu© to do so. ’ Cr. Morison said that with the hard things said during the election the Council should now have nothing to do, and citizens should now sink their differences. The past year had been successful, but there was much work to be done still. Councillors should put their shoulders to the wheel. Especial attention should • be given to ‘street improvement and • street and footpath formation, of which there was much to be done in the outlying portions of the Borough.

■ “I wish to congratulate you on your return to the Mayoral chair,” said Cr. Masters, “though I confess I did all I could to keep you out.” (Laughter.) Any feelings, continued Cr. Masters, which had been engendered during the election should now be dropped and all Councillors should recognise the duty they owed to the Borqugh. He felt sure the Mayor would have the support of Councillors. Personally, he had no bad feelings towards the Mayor because he had been beaten, and he would endeavor to make the Mayor’s present term as pleasant as possible and would help him so far as he could.

Cr. Boon said that in the coming year it would bf necessary to do something about drainage, but he did not think a loan could be raised 1 for the purpose. A Voice: Oh, yes. Cr. Boon said no drainage work had been done for three or four years. There were no special funds left, and the work would have to bo done out of revenue. Cr. Arden also offered his congratulations. Cr. Fredric said other Councillors . had spoken of doing their duty, but he was sure he had also done his duty at the Council table. There were many unpleasant things to be done. If lie studied his own interests' he would not be on the Council—he would prefer to be off it. Cr. Thompson said the Mayor had had a good win. His majority was not large, hut it was a clean, straight fight. The election had been a strenuous debate and a little boat was quite excusable. Nice remarks wore made about the kerbing and channelling in Broadway, but there was miles and miles wanted elsewhere. There were a great many streets on which not a penny bad been spent since they were opened. Personally he intended to work in the interests of burgesses in all parts of the Borougn, Cr. .Richards said, in reference te the heat displayed in the election that m a neated conliict of opinion the real truth was liable to bo placed before the electors. In the past the Councillors Had given their best services, and he tnought the burgesses could confidently roly on them , tor the future.

•The Mayor said he heartily' reciprocated the compliments paid ixim and was particularly pleased that Councillors nad so generally expressed their intention to work smoothly witn him. A Mayor had no force or power uu-. less he had the co-operation of the • Council. Without co-operation not much progress could be made, but he hoped that m the coming year good progress would be made. Tlie history of tUe town showed a steady maroli of progress dnruig the twenty years since it was a little bush township. Everything considered, the progress of the town had been wonderful. Jn the coming year there was a good deal of work to do, but not much revenue to do it with. He could not see how drainage work could be done out of revenue. In the next estimates a sufai of £SOO should be set aside for kerbing and channelling. In the past year half of the Council’s revenue was spent on the roads, which indicated how expensive their upkeep was. He favored a loan of about £15,000 for water and drainage. He would not endeavor to force the loan

on citizens, but if they asked for it he would take the necessary steps. If the loan were raised he would favor about £2OOO being set aside to bo y loaned to those desirous of making sewer connections. At next Monday’s meeting a proposal would be brought down in an honest endeavor to acquire the Electrical Supply Co.’s business for the town. (Applause.) He would not outline the proposal, but he hoped the Company would be reasonable and work with th* Council for the acquisition of the busi-