Onehunga Celebrates

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 35, 4 May 1927, Page 9

Onehunga Celebrates

BOROUGH’S JUBILEE NO “LISTLESSNESS!” new mayorTnstalled Onemmga is determined that its jubilee anniversary, should not pass “unhonoured and unsung.” The Manukau township is beflagged to-day in honour of this event.

Though some resentment was shown THE SUN’S charge that Onehunga was a little listless at one stage of the proceedings, local residents have made a determined effort to remove any such impression.

The new mayor, Mr. W. C. CoIdH cutt, was formally installed at a largely attended function at noon. The retiring mayor, Mr. J. E. Cowell, and councillors were present. All united in their praise of the borough’s development during the last half-century, and emphasised the fact that still greater progress would be evident. The first mayor of Onehunga was similarly installed in 1877. An enthusiastic band of citizens decided that Mr. Coldicutt’s assumption of office should be marked by a notable function. Success rewarded their efforts. CONSTITUTION OF BOROUGH The original letter notifying the constitution of the borough is in the possession of Mr. H. A. Yockney, town clerk. It is as follows: Colonial Secretary’s Office, Wellington, April 23, 1877. Sir, —Adverting to your telegram of the 18th inst., I have the honour to enclose for your information a New Zealand “Gazette” of the 19th containing a proclamation by His Excellency the Governor, constitut ing the town of Onehunga a borough under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876. —I have the honour to be, Sir,—Your most obedient servant, G. S. COOPE. J. D. Jackson, Esq., Onehunga. EX-MAYOR “VERY MUCH ALIVE!” The “Gazette” contains the usual proclamation in formal legal phraseology, and describes the district to be proclaimed a borough as being bounded on the north by Mount Smart Road; on the east by Section 17 of the Suburbs of Auckland; on the south by the Manukau Harbour; and on the west by Section 13 of the Suburbs of Auckland. This proclamation is signed by the Marquis of Normanby, Governor and Commander-In-Chief. It has been stated that Dr. W. G. Scott is the oldest surviving ex-mayor

of Onehunga; but such Is not the case. That distinction must be awarded to Mr. J. H. Waller, who is "till living at Belmont, Takapuna.

On March 15 last Mr. Waller wrote to the Mayor of Onehunga denying the published report that he was dead. He added: “I hope Onehunga will keep moving all the time, for I can assure you that I have never been dead—yet, and do not feel like it. Please withdraw the canard, for I can assure you I feel very much alive, though 89 years of age.” The fact that Onehunga has no mayoral chain or robes of office necessitated the retiring mayor handing merely a gaval to his successor. “I hope that you will have as little occasion to use it .as I have done,’’ declared Mr. Cowell. The new mayor regretted that he had been the greatest nuisance the ex-mayor had had to deal with. As a young and progressive mayor, and a native of the borough, Mr. Coldicutt promised to further the true interests of Onehunga. “And when I leave office,” he said, “and that, I hope, will not be for many years, I hope I will have as many friends as I possess to-day.”