AFTER FIFTY YEARS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 40, 10 May 1927, Page 5

AFTER FIFTY YEARS

A MAYORAL CHAIN PRESENTED TO ONEHUNGA During the jubilee festivities at Onehunga on Wednesday last, regret was expressed that although the district had been a borough for the full halfcentury, not the least semblance of regalia or insignia of office had ever been provided tor the mayor. However, at the Foresters’ Hall gathering pleasurable intimation came along by Air. William Alorton, a popular citizen, and brother of the new deputy-mayor, had decided to remove the cause for complaint by presenting to the incoming mayor, Mr. W. C. Coldicutt, the first mayoral scarf and the first lime in the chain that will subsequently become an interesting historical possession of the borough. At last evening’s meeting of the Onehunga Borough Council the town clerk, Mr. H. A. Yockney, produced the promised gift, with which he duly adorned the shoulders of Mr. Coldicutt immediately the mayor had taken his seat to conduct the proceedings of the council. The regalia is a handsome work of art, an amber-coloured broad silk ribbon upon a foundation of black silk. In front, on opposite sides, are fixed two medallions, one denoting Mr. J. D. Jackson as the first Mayor of Onehunga, in 1877, and the other signifying the similar honour conferred upon Mr. W. C. Coldicutt in 1927. These are attached to an auxiliary suspending tablet, and depending therefrom is a large medallion encircled with the words: “Borough of Onehunga, founded 1877.” On a large medallion are inscribed the

Maori words, Kei Ahau te Mana. This sentence can be translated as: “I hold the key of the position,” “I am the man of the hour,” or “I am the big man.” The whole of the tablets are splendidly moulded in chased gold, altogether making a decidedly imposing badge of office. A number of ratepayers were present, and they finally assisted the plaudits that greeted the mayor’s happily-phrased expression of thanks to Mr. Morton, and the townsman’s neat, if modest, response.