MAYORESS HONOURED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 February 1941, Page 8

MAYORESS HONOURED

I MRS J. W. ANDREWS. FORMER MASTERTON RESIDENT. A sincere and spontaneous tribute , was tendered to Mrs J. W. Andrews, Mayoress of Lower Hutt City, and formerly of Masterton, by the citizens on Friday evening. The idea had been launched little over a week earlier, and those responsible were most gratified at the desire shown in all circles to lake part in the compliment. The wish of the organisers to make the tribute a spontaneous one prevented a public appeal, but in spite of this St. James’s Hall was filled to overflowing. Mr W. T. Strand, an ex-Mayor. who presided, said that last Saturday citizens had the opportunity to show how they respected and honoured the first Mayor of their city. They were now gathered to pay their tributes to one of the best Mayoresses in this Dominion. who was loved by all the women and respected by all the men in the district. The Hon. W. Nash. M.P. for Hutt, said it was a privilege and an honour to pay a tribute to Mrs Andrews. He questioned whether any other lady had ever won the hearts of Lower Hiltt citizens as she had done. He was at a loss to put into a few words his appreciation of her work and her personality. “1 have,” said Mr Nash, "probably come into contact with as many citizens of Lower Hutt as anyone, and I have never heard other than good spoken of her.” “I feel it a great honour to have the privilege of speaking on behalf ■ of the women and saying what a marvellous Mayoress we have had in the borough, now the city, of Lower Hutt." said .Mrs J. Mitchell, wife of the deputy Mayor. Mrs Andrews was at the shortest notice prepared to carry out efficiently anything she was asked to do. She not only woked, but was a great leader.

Mrs Mitchell then asked Mrs Nash to hand Mrs Andrews a silver tea service, engraved as a gift from the citizens, an Ainsley china tea set, and a cheque. As a persona! gift from the citizens. Mrs Andrews was handed a string of pearls.

Mrs Andrews said she was taken completely by surprise, for she had not the slightest hint of what was in

store for her when she hud come io the gathering. Every day she had been "cadging” from someone; and how the people could do wli.il they had done on top of their rales and

taxes she was at a loss to know. She felt that the compliments and gif's she had received were far more than she had deserved.