RESIGNTATION OF CR F. W. TEMPLE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9042, 18 March 1908, Page 5

RESIGNTATION OF CR F. W. TEMPLE.

HE DECLINES LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

EULOGIES PROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

Cr F. W. Temple, who leaves Masterton on Friday on a trip to the Old Country, in company with his son, tendered his resignation as a member of the Borough Council at the ordinary meeting last evening. The Mayor, after reading the resignation notice, said he felt'that in the special circumstances attaching to Cr Temple's departure for Home, the Council would be justified in asking him to reconsider his decision to resign, and instead take leave of absence for six months, which could be renewed if occasion required, ihe Mayor stated that it gave him particular pleasure, being, as he generally was, ranged on the opposite side, to say that Cr Temple was one of the best Councillors round the table, and or.e whose fearless and candid criticism was productive of good work. Further, Cr Temple was one of that invincible kind who, when beaten, came up again smiling, and never allowed a defeat to trouble him. He had spent a very large amount of time and trouble as chairman of the Gas Committee, and had accomplished magnificent work. (Hear! Hear!) Now that important work was contemplated in the shifting of the carbonizing plant to the station, and in other directions, it was to the interests of the Council and the Borough that C>* Temple should assist in the fruition of his work. He moved that six months' leave of absence be granted Cr Temple. Cr J. Pontile seconded the motion, contending that the least the Council could do was to adopt the course proposed. CrJ. H. Pauling supported the motion, paying a high tribute to Cr Temple's work on the Finance Committee also. Cr W. Morris moved an amendment that Cr Temple's resignation be received. He said that much as he respected Cr Temple, he considered the amount of work the Council had now in hand demanded that the seat should be filled. The amendment was not seconded. Crs W. Pragnell, A. Haughey, J. Yarr, and J. Elliott all heartily supported the motion. Cr Temple, in thanking the various speakers for their kindly references to him, said that he was placed in a somewhat awkward position. He would be away eight months at the least, and perhaps nine, and the Council had some work ahead of it cf supreme importance. For one thirg, he said, there was the appointment of a Borough Engineer and thereorganisation of the offhe staff. These were matters which had to be faced very soon, and it was only a question of a very short lime at that. 'Cr Temple said he would very much like to see the Gasworks policy brought to finality, and there was no denying that he had the interests of this branch of the municipal department deeply at heart. However, putting all things together, the speaker considered he was,only doing his duty in resigning his post, which-he regretfully decided to do. The Mayor said that it was' to be regretted that Cr Temple could not alter his decision, and he repeated that in losing Cr Temple the Borough was losing an able Councillor who could ill be spared.' He wished Cr Temple, on behalf of the Council and ratepayers generally, a successful and happy trip. His Worship said it was not necessary to have a resolution on the macter of the resignation. Cr Prentice moved that a record be placed on the minutes of the valuable services rendered to the Borough by Cr Temple. This was carried unanimuosly.