RINGING DOWN THE CURTAIN.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 21 April 1917, Page 4

RINGING DOWN THE CURTAIN.

At th e conclusion of the ordinary business at the meeting of the Taihape Borough Council last .’night, the Mayor said he would like, a s this was the last meeting of the old Council, to say a few words before they parted. He wished to express his appreciation of the actions of the councillors during the past year, who had assisted and seconded his efforts to advance the welfare of the borough. He expressed his disappointment, he had almost said disgust, at the actions of some of the councillors, who by not seeking re-election had practically deserted them. However, he hoped they would all meet again. Cr. Healey congratulated the Mayor on being re-elected unopposed to the Mayoral chair, and bore testimony to the patient and able manner in which Mr. Arrowsmith had filled the position during the past year. The old councillors had done their best, but there was still a bit to be done. There evidently was a fight on, and he for one was not going to shirk it. Cr. Somerville said he was not seeking re-election simply because at the present time he could not devote the necessary time to council matters, and it was useless to take'up borough obligations unless one could do the work, which was not wholly confined to attending council meetings. He thanked the Mayor for his courtesy in the past.

Cr. Joblin: This is not a self-ad-miration society; it is not what we think of ourselves, it is what others think of us; anyhow, we would know very shortly. I am the leader of the Opposition in the Council —an opposition of one. I have always had a square deal from the Mayor. I have also frequently—very frequently—differed from him. No doubt I have always been in the wrong. (Laughter). He thanked the Mayor for past consideration, and congratulated him on his re-election.

Cr. Cunninghame also congratulated Mr. Arrow-smith on his re-election. Cr. Wrightson said he would like to express to the Mayor his pleasure at being associated with him as a councillor. Of course, they had had differences of opinion, but those differences ended where they should—at the Council table. The finances of the borough were now on a satisfactory footing. He was in favour of the burgesses knowing all about the work of th e Council during its term of service, and for that purpose he suggested that a resume of the year’s operations should be compiled and laid before them. If he were elected, he would do his duty as zealously in the future as in the past.

His Worship considered Cr. Wrightson’s idea of issuing a resume of the Council’s operations an excellent one, and one that ought to be favourably considered in the future. The meeting then terminated.