THE MAYOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1915, Page 8

THE MAYOR.

INSTALLATION CEREMONY. All:. I;! KiiKSNS TAki'/s c: ! Hi'!. FC'ITRK OF NEW PLY .Mi >l' I 11. The installation of Air. C. 11. Ilurge.-s a- Mavor of New Plymouth. Look place at the Tow n Hall last night. .Mr W. A. Collis (the Deputy-Mayor), uniipicd the .Mayoral chair, and seated by him were Mr. C. 11. Burgess, the Mayor-elect, and Air. J. K. Wilson, the e\-Alayor. The following councillors were present: Crs. L. A!. Alonteath, J. S. S. Medley, J. Harden. A. TT. .Johnstone. W. F. Short, F. ,J. Hill. A. F.. Svkes, .1. T. Mannix, and A. E. Watkins.

The Deputy-Mayor said tliat on behalf of the Council hp had <4r■ -at pleasure ill welcoming Mr. Burgess as Mayor of Xew Plymouth. The borough was lucky in that in Mr. Burgess it had a gentleman who came into ofVue with experience as a councillor, and lie thought that this was an advantage botli ways. Mr. Burgess came into oflice with a knowledge of Council work, he knew quite well what was before the Council, and he felt assured that whatever Mr. Burgess undertook to do he would do to the best o( his ability. Mr. Collis said he knew that -Mr. Burgess tlid not want to take office, as it meant a great sacrifice, but lie felt confident that Mr. llnrgess would carry out his duties with credit to himself and to the borough. 111 all the work of the Council they were bound to to have differences, and possibly at time? there might be more or less hot discussions, but 011 behalf of the Mayor-elect lie would ask councillors that when a course of action had been decided 011 councillors would do their best to assist the Mayor in carrying out what had been decided upon, and would not ask for divisions to take place 011 questions which had already been decided. Mr. Collis said lie was sure all the councillor* would suport the Mayor in his arduous duties. There was 11 great deal of work to do in finishing up schemes now in hand, and the Mayor would need hearty co-operation. If this were done, the work of the borough would be carried out in a manner that would give satisfaction to the burgesses.

Mr. Colli* then rend tlx l formal declaration, which was signed l>v Mr. Burjjess. Mr. Colli-s vacated the Mayoral chair, and amidst applause, Mr. Burge« formally took office.

THE MAYOR'S Ft'jTURE TASKS. Mr. Burgess thanked the Council for the hearty reception given him. He did not think that at that stage it was necesasry to go into the town's position. Before his retirement. Mr. Wilson had put the position of the Council very plainly, and from Mr. Wilson's remarks councillors and the public were able to understand it. He had been asked what his policy was to be, but lie wanted to say that he had no policy, except that he was going to carry out the work of the town from the points where his predecessor had left off. There was plenty to do. They had to complete the electrical sub-station, and they had to complete the tramway system. As the councillors knew, it was hoped to lmve the trams running before Christmas. There was a sum of about £13,000 left of the £42,000 loan, and there -was the £22.000 loan, a portion of which had been spent. It would be necessary to provide a destructor, at a cost of £IOOO or more, and new borough offices and a new museum were to be undertaken . As far as the museum was concerned, it was absolutely necessary to make provision for this work in order to comply with the conditions under which tlic Council had accepted Mr. Skinner's collection.

'1 think we will do very well if we get these matters through before we think of any progressive policy," added Mr. Burgess. "In fact, I think we have just progressed a little too quickly, and we might go a little slower. We Ifave been drifting financially for several years, and I think we must, if possible, try to stop this. I know it is easy for one to preach economy, but I hope that if the occasion arises when we must stop drifting, I will have every assistance from councillors. Some people seem to take a very pessimistic view of tlie borough, but I really don't think there Is any good reason for this. We have borrowed freely, but a great deal of tlie work done out of the loans will be revenue-producing." Tlie electric liglit, he said, is paying, and he hoped that in time the tramways would pay for themselves. Under Mr. Wilson's administration the policy of putting down permanent streets had been adopted, and by this the Council would save a great deal in maintenance. "We will have to go along very carefully; we will have no money to splash about. The town has great prospects before it, and I don't see why New Plymouth, with its natural attractions, should not compare favorably —in fact, more than favorably—with anv town in the Dominion."

Mr. Burgess concluded by stating that he would attend at the Mayor's office tietwen ten and eleven o'clock every morning, and appointments for other trmes could be arranged through the Town Clerk. He intended, with the permission of the Council, to continue as chairman of the Works Committee, and of the Trainwavs Committee.

RETIRING MAYOR'S REMARKS. Mr. Wilson said he was very .pleased to be present, to see Mr. Burgess take the Mayoral chair. It was an honorable position to occupy, and he knew Mr. Burgess would feel that in taking office. There was also very heavy responsibility. Mr Wilson said he was the only representative of the burgesses present and he thought he could, on their behalf, congratulate Mr. Burgess and express their pleasure at Mr. Burgess taking office. Everyone knew the sacrifice of time that was entailed,

and the ])i:l!i.' ap<>r«/aUJ very much [lu f.ict ,i Uu-.ii.ess m.ui should come forward uii,l take over the duties ul' ilic buroiejti in addition to those of his hu-hie-s .Mr. Wii-on c\pressed the hope that Mr. BiirgesV period in the M:iyorul chair would be. pleasant. and ihat tin' result nf his i Iministration would I" 1 i;eue!icial to the borough. .Mr. Uiirgej-j. briefly thanked Mr. W: 1 - -on. and lile function concluded.

I.ater. the councillors. borough ollicers and represeutatievs of the Press were entertained by the .Mayor. After refreshments were partaken of a siiort toast list was honored. ''The Kins," W:ls Imposed by Mr. Burgess. and tlien -Mr. Wil-t-on proposed ■'The .Mayor and Councillors." ,1 ii doing so he paid a tribute to the work done by ex Cr. S. .T. Smith, anil expressed regret that he had resinned. In replying to the toast, C'r. L. it. Monteath expressed the regret of the Council at losing Mr. Wilson as Mayor. For the future they had a hard row to hoe. but the Mayor could rely upon the councillor* for every assistance in the Council. Mr. Burgess also briefly replied. He said as they all knew he did not seek the position, and in view of this he hoped tlicv would be lenient with him in his shortcomings. As far as the Council was concerned, lie was satisfied it wus a very good Council, in which there were men of various qualifications. Tf he could leave matters a little better than they were when lie took up office it would be something achieved. Tn conelusion, Mr. Burgess hoped the councillors would thinlc just lis well of him when he retired in l!)i7. "The Retiring Mayor," was proposed by Cr. A. E. Watkins, and responded to by Mr. J. E. Wilson : "The Press" was proposed by Cr. W. A. Collis, and responded to by Messrs \V. -T. Penn (Taranaki ITerold). and Mr. A. We ller (Taranaki Dailr Xe\vs): "The Borough Stall' and the Borough Solicitors," was proposed by Cr. A. H. .Tolmstoiie. and responded to bv the Town CWk (Mr. F. T. Bellringer)', and Mr. J. 11. Quilliam.