Installation of the Mayor.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4050, 21 December 1881, Page 2

Installation of the Mayor.

The above ceremony took place this morning in the Borough Council Cham* bers Albert street. Present—His Wor« ship the Mayor, Crs McCullougb, Speight, Mennie, Marshal', Osborne, Wilson, McGowan, Veale; Alexander Brodie Esq, (County Chairman), Alex. Aitken, Esq., (County Engineer), Cr Fraser (Thames County), A. J. AUom Esq., and L. J. Bagnall Esq., (Chairman Harbor Board).

Cr McGowan was voted to the chair.

The minutes of last annual meeting were were read and confirmed.

The Town Clerk read a notice from Mr W. Davies, .Returning Officer of the Borough of Thames, notifying that as only one gentleman was nominated on the day of election for the Mayoralty, and that gentleman was William Wilkinson Esq., the said gentleman was declared elected.

Cr McGowan said : You are all aware of the object for which we meet. It is to install Mr Wilkinson to the office of Mayor. He has during his late term, filled the office with satisfaction to the burgesses, as clearly shown by his re-election without opposition.

His Worship the Mayor then took the necessary oaths. He said : Gentlemen, —I have to thank you once more for being placed in this position. I did not seek re-election | because I thought I had a remarkable fitness for the office, but I have always held that it takes a Mayor fully threequarters of his term to become acquainted with his work. I have not, as I said, sought re-election because I considered myself a heaven-born Mayor. I have not devoted myself to the work as I should have done, but as you are aware, I have a business of my own that requires looking after. I may say, however, tbat I have done my best, and shall endeavor to do so in the future,. The past year has been a most remarkable one. Mr Dean informs me that we have spent £10,000, or more than double the amount expended in any corresponding length of time in the past. I think it only fair that as I have helped to spend this money, I should, at any rate, remain in office, and endeavour by some means to recoup the Borough. In addition to this, £2,0C5 has been expended upon the water, and the expense is daily becoming a matter of concern. The system wants remodelling. (Cr Osborne: ''Try whiskey.") We must find some means of paying this money off. Besides these there i* a £1000 that has been set aside for a special work, and that £1000 must be kept for it. At present we have a deficit of £5,000, and our duty now is to reduce that deficit. The great expenditure was caused by the flood, which none of us could forsee. I again thank you for the honor you have done me. (Cheers).

THE BANQUET.

His Worship tho Major then invited the Councillors and other gentlemen to a handsome spread laid out in the Kelieving Officer's quarters. After full justice had been done to the excellent repast, Mr Ehrenfried said he should propose " The health of the present Mayor." He himself had occupied the position, and knew full well what a responsibility rested on the shoulders of the Mayor. He might say that Mr Wilkinson has been a credit. In him the burgesses have found a thoroughly good man, and he only hoped the Councillors would pay that respect to the position of Mayor that it deserved. He would ask the gentlemen present to drink to the health of Mr Wilkinson.

The health was drunk with enthusiasm, and was accompanied with cheers for the Mayor and Mayoress. .■ Mr Wilkinson said—lt affords me great pleasure to respond to the toast of the ex Mayor, who piid me a very high com* pliment. Mr Eurenfried, like myself, has served a term, and has some knowledge, of the qualifications required. I feel it the more pleasure in responding to Mr Ehrenfried, in-as much as his words carry weight. With regard to tjho Councillors, I must thank them for the assistance they have given me during the past twelve months. Indeed I could have done little without their assistance. In the Council Chamber I gave some figures which I find to be erroneous. The amount we have spent during the year is £15,000, but I am happy to inform you we have a credit balance at our bankers. We believe in being out of debt. I made one important omission in my speech which was to thank the officers for the large amount of valuable assistance they have given me. lam qaite sure we could not find better officers in any local body than we have on the Thames. In conclusion, I would move " The health of the Council and the Officers."

This toast was well received

Cr J. Wilson responded. He was one of those who said little, but did a lot. (Laughter.) , Cr Osborne said he had always found the last Councillor a batd worker, and he was convincedHhere was not such a good worker anywhere as Cr Wilson. We hare often in the past taken pert in this little affair, but to-day what had His Worship brought them to see P (A. roice: " The table.") Yes, gentlemen, and there is no doubt that the table shames the building. (Laughter).

Cr Veale said he was only a young member of the Conncil, but a better lot of men to work with he had never found. He had done the best he could, c id no man could do more than that.

Cr Marshall also spoke. '" Cr McGowan proposed the "Local Bodies," and in doing so paid the highest eulogiums upon the County Council, saying he had not the least doubt that the County had done its work well. The Government, he thought should be thankful to them for having settled several important points with the natives, and made accessible the hills at.the back of the Thames, and he considered that through the County much had been done to lessen any feeling on the pare of the natives that was antagonistic to Euro* petns. The County Chairman, in responding, referred to the fact that they could now diive to within three miles of Tapu, whereas the whole of the surrounding country was inaccessible previons to the energy shown by bis Council. Mr J, L. Bagnall, Chairman of the Harbor Board, elso respond-J, as did several other gentlemen. Cr Mennie proposed " The Officers of the Municipality." Messrs Decj aud Fleming returned thanks.

The other toasts were "The Foreman of Works," proposed by Cr MoCdlongh, " The Ladies," and «* The Press."