MUNICIPAL AMENITIES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 85, 10 August 1915, Page 2

MUNICIPAL AMENITIES.

PRESENTATION TO MR N. J. KING

A pleasant little function was experienced at the Borough Council meeting last evening, when Mr N. J. King, ex-mayor ami councillor and citizen of Stratford, was presented with an illuminated axluress signed by Ithe Mayor, Councillors, Town Clerk, 'and Chairmen oi' the Chamber of Commerce and the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. ! In making the presentation, the Mayor said he had very much pleasure in presenting the illuminated address to Mr King- Since the inception of the Borough in 1898, with the exception oi 2 years, Mr King, who was Mayor for lour years, and Councillor for eleven years, had served the citizens well—(Applause). With his knowledge of the building trade and sister work, he had been able to do a great deal lor the town. When the matter of the formation of the Main Trunk branch line was in the air, and there was a great deal oi' wire-pulling horn Eltham-way and also in connection with* the Opunake-Stratford railway, Mr King had been untiring in his efforts. He had also been a member of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and had taken a very great deal of interest in all public functions, and ivas always ready to help in whatever direction lay in his power. I'ersonally, the Mayor said, he had had great pleasure in sitting for five years at the Council table with Mr King. At times they had disagreed, but away from the table all friction had disappeared. In r_e- ■ tiring from public life, it was fitting [that some token of respect apd esteem should be given to Mr King by ithe citizens. To Mr King, the Mayor 'said: "In presenting you with this illuminated address, we ask you not to look upon it from the point of its monetary value, but as a token of esteem and thanks for your long services to the town. We hope, when you look upon it, you will be reminded of the pleasant and, perhaps, the hard times you spent in serving the Borough." On concluding the reading of the address (the text of which has already been published) the Mayor was heartily applauded. Mr J. B. Kichards. who was present, said he would like to add his tribute to the Mayor's remarks as President of the Chamber of Commerce and ex-councillor. He bad worked with Mr King as a councillor and in other directions, and he could say Mr King had always worked with a will. Not in all cases did Mr King and he se o eye to eye. but he (the speaker) was certain Mr King always endeavoured to make the town progress as he considered proper. Mr Richards joined with the'Council in wishing Mr King many happy years in the town of his adoption, where he had given such good'services—(Applause) . Cr Thompson, as a fellow-councillor and citizen, with whom he had been connected for several years, said Mr King was no time-server whether he was in a minority or not. There was no doubt the address was a genuine token of respect and esteem. There were many institutions which could still do with Mr King's services. The day would come, Cr Thompson hoped, when Mr King would he seen in "prominent positions as of old.—(Applause). Mr King, who, on rising to reply, was received with applause, thanked the Mayor and speakers sincerely for their kind remarks, and also for those who had signed the splendid address which they had presented to him. He assured them that such a thing as this presentation he had not expected. Not until lie saw the notification of same in the Stratford Post had he any idea of such a proceeding, but he felt very proud that the people of the town should show their appreciation of his services in such a tangible man-

uer . —(Applause). One "was apt at times to think hi* services were not appreciated, but.f/n an occasion such as this it came home very pleasingly and made him feel that alter all the people had a warm corner in their hearts lor him. Mr King admitted he had heen always outspoken in his opinion on public matters often, perhaps, to his own detriment, but it was his rule to go for his point straight out. He came to Stratford 23 years ago, when it was a very small place indeed—when there was only a 12-foot track, with high banks on both and very few shops. In fact, at first he thought it was one of the last places the good Lord had made.— (Laughter). They would understand this when he told them that he had then come straight from Melbourne to the place, deferring to the matter of the line and the part Eltham had taken to obtain the junction of the line,- Mr King said they held many meetings aud had worked well, one of the chief supporters among the citizens heiug' Mr (now Colonel.) W. G. Malone, who had headed several deputations to Wellington on the subject. Mr King said he was pleased to say they had made a success of their efforts, and he was quite certain Stratford was entitled to same.—(Applause). Mr King pointed out that the project was started some years before he was on the Council. As to the Opunake railway junctioning at Stratford, Air King said a number of the citizens had worked well lor their

object, and it was not their fault they had not not succeeded. It was a great pity this was so, as he believed j it would have been one of the greatest assistance the town could possibly 'have had. He did not think the pre- ' sent position would do Hawera or Eltham very much good, but he was sure the junction at Stratford would have done immense service ior us. As to a branch line with Kaponga, he thought they would yet get it.—(Applause). The Commission had recommended it, and if the agitation was kept before the Ministry, there was still the hope of being successful; this, he felt, would be almost as good as the junction with the Opunake line. JJr King thanked Mr Richards and Or. Thompson for their kindly reference to himself, stating that he was pleased to say that despite all small differences of opinion they were still .rood friends. During his time he had fought a good few elections, Among others, he had aspired to parliamentary honors ,but it appeared "they were not having any."—(Laugh'ter). He had contested the mayor•alfcy with Mr W. P. Kirk wood, and ' it had been a very strenuous election—.still they were good friends. Also he had a stiff friendly fight with Mr Jonas Masters. After four years of the mayoralty, be believed the burgesses had had enough of him.—(Laughter and applause), but the handsome address be had been presented with showed that the people had, after all, really appreciated his services, and | what he had tried to do.—(Hear, 1 hear). In conclusion, Mr King wish- ' ed for the Council a prosperous time : in office, and assured them he believed 1 the affairs of the Borough were in j good hands.—(Loud applause).