VALEDICTORY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 275, 11 April 1911, Page 5

VALEDICTORY.

THE RETIRING CITY FATHERS. At the conclusion of the ordinary business at the Borough Council meeting last night, the Mayor said that that) would probably be their last council mieeting, as next meeting would see the new Council elected. He took the opportunity of thanking the councillors fas the support they had given him u chairman. He knew they had had difc ferences of opinion, and quite rightly* too, for he recognised they were au working in the best interests of ratepayers, fie also thanked Mr, Bell- ; ringer, the town clerk, and referred, to the fact that for three years all rates and rents had been collected—an achievement few towns in the Dominion could approach. He was personally indebted to the town clerk, whose courteous assistance had made the duties pertaining to the office of Mayor much lighter. He considered that Mr. Kendall, the engineer, was a capable and obliging official, in fact—as he had told him—sometimes too much so. He had at times tried to please everyone, and perhaps pleased no one. He (the speaker) had made light of the crack in the Powderham street bridge when it firs* appeared, and his view had proved correct. The bridge was strong, and would last. He complimented the electrical engineer, too, stating that he did not consider there was any similar plant that worked so well and produced so much revenue. He moved that this Council pla«es on record its hearty appreciation of the services of the town clerk, officials, and staff. In concluding, he said he hoped to see as many of the old councillors returned as stood for reelection. Cr. Hartnell, in seconding the motion, stated that he was only a young member, but in his short experience, he had seen that being in the Council required considerable time, thought and trouble, and a councillor needed all his wits about him; Cr. Wilson, as a councillor who was not returning, said that he must say liovv much councillors appreciated His ' Worship's courtesy in the chaii;. There had often been differences of opinion ill the Council, but never a row or any unseemly conduct, due to Mr, TiscH's nn- < , failing courtesV, even when his own pet scHemes and theories had been palled to pieces, No ratepayer, unless he had sat on a council, had nnv idea of the work councillors put in for them. Even a return of the number of committee meetinert attended would be an eve-opener, and perhaps, instead of earning faint praise, councillors would be more highly esteemed by their constituents. Personally he was sorry to leave the Council, every member of which he esteemed as a personal friend. Cr. Browne endorsed the remarks, and stated that a pleasant feature was that it did not matter how councillors opposed each other at the meetings, as soon as they left the room all opposition ceased. The motion was carried. Mr. Bellringer, on behalf of the staff, thanked the Council for the resolution, saving it lightened the work when one felt it was appreciated. He trusted that the cordial relations existing between the Council and the staff would long continue. Mr. Tiseli then thanked the Press for the full reports published of all meetings.