THE MAYORAL INSTALLATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9083, 7 May 1908, Page 5

THE MAYORAL INSTALLATION.

MR P. L. HOLLINGS ASSUMES OFFICE.

REMARKS BY HIS WORSHIP. SPEECHES OF WELCOME. There was a full meeting of the Masterton Morough Council, laot evening, when the installation of Mr P. L. Hoilings as Mayor took place. The Councillors present were —Crs J. H. Pauling,,J. Elliott, J/Hunter, A. Haughey, W. Morris, W. Pragnell, J. C. Ewington, J. Prentice and J. Yarr. The retiring Mayor, Mr J. M. Coradine, was unable to be present. FORMAL PROCEEDINGS. There was little in the way of ceremonial about the installation proceedings. The Acting Town Clerk (Mr W. T. Mansfield) walked into tha Chamber followed by His Worship, the Councillors rising as they entered.- "His Worship the new Mayor, gentlemen," intimated the Clerk, and Mr Hoilings took his feat in the high-backed chair on the dais. Councillors then resumed their seats. Cr J. Hunter had also to be sworn in, and while these proceedings were in progress he stood near the table. The Mayor-elect then took the customary oath, as follows: — "I. Philip Luscombe Hoilings do hereby declare that I will faithfully and impartially and according to the best of my skill and judgment execute the power and authorities vested in me as Mayor of the Borough of Masterton, by virtue of Municipal Corporations Act, 1900." l'o this His Worship subscribed his name, and Cr Hunter followed by signing the usual declaration made by a Councillor. HIS WORSHIP'S REMARKS. The Mayor said that before resuming hi 3 seat he would like to make a few r?rmrks. t Ki first expressed regret that his predecessor, Mr Coradine, was unable to attend the meeting, and then said that it caused him great pleasure to again preside over the deliberations «.f the Council, more especially as several Councillors were Dresent who ha.l previously sat with him. There was, he said, a very hard year's work ahead of the Council, work requiring a great deal of thought and consideration, and he asked individual Councillors to remember that the rasponsibility of the work rested as much with them as with him. It was very necessary for Councillors to recognise this fact if they desired to promote the interests of the borough. He would, for his part, do his best to be fair and impartial to all, and he hoped on the other hand, that personal feeling would not enter into the Council's deliberations. He looked to all to uphold him when right, and correct him should he be wron£, and reminded them that he could do nothing unless he had the support of the Council. As all were elected to work for the good of the borough he hoped all personal considerations would be dropped, and the proper carrying out of the work first considered. He was proud to preside over such a Council, composed as it was of men of ability and honest and straightforward motives. He was the youngest of them all, and as such any mistakes on his part might;, bo looked upon indulgently by them, thoUfoh, of course, he had two years of. previous Council experience to guide him. During His absence from the Council table he might have got somewhat out of touch with Council matters, and he trcsted the Council to assist him in again getting thoroughly into the working. CDNGRATULATORY SPEECHES.' Several short speeches of congratula ion were then made by the various Councillors.

Cr Morris said that as the oldest membar of the Council he had pleasure in offering His Worship congratulations on his election. He had worked under His Worship before, and found Council business under Mr Hollings to be a pleasure. The Mayor hern interposed that he had omitted to welcome Cr Hunter to his seat as a Councillor. They were all very pleased to see Cr Hunter, whose experience would be of valuable assistance to the' Council.

Cr Pauling said that though he had ■ been "on the other side" during the election he was pleased to congratulate His Worship 011 his accession to office. The speaker would always be found supporting him when things went in accordance with his (Cr Pauling's) ideas. Ho had never been a party man, and believed his actions in the past would show that he always adopted an independent attitude. Cr Yarr offered the Mayor congratulations on his taking the chair. As one who had actively opposed His Worship at the election he neverthe-' less would, when in Council, continue to act as he had done in tha past —in the interests of the ratepayers. He was pleased to hear the. Mayor's remarks regarding personalites, and held with His Worship that the Council Chamber as not the place for such. In this matter the Mayor would have his support from the jump. (Hear! hear!). Cr Pragnell, in a speech of welcome, said the Council had a big year ahead of it, and he would accord the Mayor loyal support to carry the work through in the best interests of the people. Cr Haughey expressed views coinciding with those of the previous speakers. Cr Ewington said it seemed that the Mayor had struck a little paradise, ft 1 d at the present tone were observed throughout the year the financial result would be most satisfactory for the ratepayers. He urged upon the Mayor the necessity of pushing on with the drainage proposals. The speaker concluded by giving Cr Hunter a welcome. Cr Elliott regretted very much that Mr Coradine could not attend, as lie wished to thank that gentleman for the extreme courtesy shown him during the late Mayor's term of office. Though ranged on opposite sides on many Mr CoA'adhm had always shown him the greatest courtesy, and for that he now thankQi him. The speaker looked forward with pleasure to the year's work, though it might be a hard one, and he believed the Council wcukl get through it very well. Cr Hunter briefly thanked His Worship and Councillors for the kindly welcome extended him, ar.d expressed his belief that at the end of

twelve months the Council would show a good record. THE RETIRING MAYOR. Cr Pauling then moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded the retiring Mayor for his services. There bad, he said, been ups and downs in the Council, but he felt that Mr Coradine bad striven to advance the interests of the town, and it had been a hard year—harder than even the coming one wa3 likely to be. Cr Pragnell seconded the mocion, which was carried unanimously, the Mayor instructing the Town Clerk to record the vote on the minutes and forward a copy to Mr Coradine.