COUNTY CHAIRMANSHIP

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 193, 24 November 1910, Page 7

COUNTY CHAIRMANSHIP

MR. J. BROWN RE-ELECTED. The annual statutory meeting of the Taranaki County Council for the election of a chairman was held yesterday. Before vacating the chair, the chairman (Mr. J. Brown) thanked the Councillors for the assistance they had given him during his term as chairman. He had done his best, according to his lights. He may possibly have made mistakes, but they were honest mistakes, not wilful ones. He had done liis honest best, and he felt that his successor would do the same. With regard to his continuing to hold the position, he had gone fully into this at last meeting, and would not say much on the question now. He took up the position now that lie"did at last meeting. He could not do the work and be out of pocket thereby. It cost him at least 15s per week travelling expenses. This did not include travelling expenses to bridge and road commissions, stamps, telegrams, telephones, etc. He did not wish to make a milch cow of the Council, but he was not a millionaire, and could not afford to be out of pocket, and, moreover, was not going to. If iiis successor was willing to do so, that was his own lookout. He then vacated the chair, which was taken bv the clerk (Mr. R. Ellis). Or. Carter moved that the Council place oil record its appreciation of the services rendered to the Council by Cr. Brown, during his four years as chairman. He thought that he (Cr. Carter) had been as outspoken as any member at the Council table. He had not waited to say outside what he wanted to say. Whatever happened inside the Council chambers made no difference to him outside. He referred to the fact that though he was there as a representative of the Hurworth y riding, he considered it his duty to be interested in the whole county. With all due deferens to councillors, he considered there was too much parochialism, viz., one riding against another. As chairman, Cr. Brown held the balance between the ridings, and there was no doubt lie had always acted fairly and impartially.

C'r. J. R. Hill, in seconding the motion, said he had alwavs admired the firmness and amount of backbone displayed by the chairman, who, if he said a thing, generally meant it. The motion was carried unanimously. Cr. Hill asked if the present chairman (C'r. Brown) had definitely made up his mind to decline nomination.

Cr. Hopson remarked that the chairman had come to that decision on account of insufficient remuneration. Personally, he thought a compromise might be effected by voting the usual £SO per annum honorarium to the chairman, and also allow him travelling expenses for attending meetings, the same as ordinary members received. He had ascertained that other councils acted in this wav.

Cr. Brown said he was prepared to again accept nomination with that understanding, if Councillors considered him worth it. He thought he was, if no one else did. He had received considerable '"bully-ragging" from people, because he was retiring from the chair. They said: "You have got the bridge loan through, and now you are going to desert us and not look after our interests.-'

Cr. Carter moved that the Council go into committee to discuss the question J of travelling expenses. They could then talk more freely. Cr. Andrews seconded the motion, which was carried. On resuming. Cr. McAllum moved that Cr. J. Brown be re-elected chairman. Seconded by Cr. Andrews, and carried unanimously. The chairman thanked the members for re-electing him. What little discussion they had had cleared the air, and th in as would probably go on better. He could assure them that he would. a,s in the past, continue to do his best for the County Council.