THE MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 343, 18 December 1879, Page 2

THE MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The installation of Mr Feist as Mayor of Masterton took place yesterday at the Council Chambers at noon, all the Councillors being present with the exception of Councillor Woodroofe, After the formal meeting the members of tho Council and one or two invited guests sat down to an excellent luncheon riven by the Mayor elect in honor of the retiring Mayor, Mr D, McGregor. The Mayor occupied the chair, and Mr • McGregor the vice-chair,' After the usual loyal toast of the Queen and Royal • amily, and the Governor had been duly honored, The" House of Representatives" was proposed by the Chairman, coupled with the name of Mr Renall. Mr Renall, in response, said it was many years since lie sat in the House, He did not know whether the House or the Borough Council m the better behaved, but he thought the latter. He referred to the old members of the House of his day, such as Mr Fitzgerald; claiming that they were superior to the younger men who had followed them. The Chairman proposed the health of he retiring Mayor, Mr D. McGregor. (Applause.) He lwd always found him straightforward, faithful, and efficient in the administration of his duties. That day lie severed his tio with the Council, and they were met to say good-bye to him. lie felt sure that it was unnecessary for him to say more 011 a subject upon which they were all agreed. Mr D McGregor returned thanks for the enthusiastic manner in which the toast of his Health had been received. His connection with the Council had been 011 the whole a pleasure to him. Though they had not pulled 0110 and all together in minor matters, yet in any matter where the welfare of the town had been at stake they had been loyal to their duties. Though he severed his connection with the Council he did not sever his connection with Masterton, which he regarded as his home. Masterton was rapidly becoming a place of importance, and it was necessary for its Mayor to reside, as Mr Feist did, within the town. Ihe anticipations ho had formed prior to taking office had been realised. He did not expect to do great things, only to administer the affairs of the BomHi faithfully and economically, and this he claimed had been done. During the past year all current claims had been met and no glaring wants had remained unsupplied. This, considering the depression which had existed, was all that could reasonably be expected. He advised a similar prudential course in the future and deprecatod founding the progress of Masterton in the present state of the country on foreign capital. His connection with the Council had been beneficial to himself, and if at any time lie could do anything to promote its interests lie would not be found wanting. (Applause.) Mr McGregor proposed the health of the new Mayor-Mr Feist. He had known lum for a long time, and considered that the Council was to be conoratulated on securing so much practical and business-like talent in its president. Mr I eist was a man of few words, but when he did speak, he spoke to the point. He had a speaal fitness for the office to which he had been elected. Mr Feist, in reply said that when he came to Masterton, 15 or 16 years a»o he little thought of occupying the position which lie held that day. He could only hope that his connection with the Council as its Chairman would be a pleasant and satisfactory one. Mr McCardle proposed success to the Borough of Masterton, pointing out the sources of its future prosperity, and predicting that its progress in the future would be as marked as it had been in the past, Mr Russell responded by an interesting sketch of the earlier history of the neHb borhood. 0 i The next toast was " Banking institutions, proposed by Mr Vile, who asserted that much of the progress of Masterton was due to the liberality of the banks which had been established in the town. Mr Carr, in returning thanks for the Bank of Australasia, expressed the pleasure he felt either officially or privately in promoting the interests of the town. Mr Boddington, of the Bank of Now Zealand, was glad to hear the proposer of the toast speak so well of banking institutions. He was but a recent arrival in the town, but had been wont to hear the banks abused somewhat. As an old Wellington settler it had been a great pleasure to him to come up from the other Island into this district. He thought that the loan, coupled with a ?ood harvest and a better price for wool, would tend to make things pleasanter for all of them.

The agricultural and pastoral interests of the district were then proposed by Mr Boddington and responded to by Mr Gapper, the latter taking a somewhat gloomy view of the future, based on the argument that the railway and taxation would injure farmers. Mr McGregor proposed the health of Mr R. Brown, the Town Clerk. He had every opportunity of judging of the faithful, intelligent, and energetic services of this officer, and very much of the efliciency of the Council was undoubtedly due to them.

Mr R. Brown said lie was taken by surprise by the compliment which had been paid to him, and could only thank them, and express his sense of the kindness and consideration with which lie had always been treated by the Council. Mr Renall proposed the health of the Press, speaking .in kind and flattering terms of thu Wairakapa Daily,

Mr Payton responded to the toast. Mr Ilenall proposed in a friendly but humorous speech the health of an absent Councillor, Mr Wrodroofe.

Mr Russell returned thanks, pointing out the services Mr Woodroofe had rendered as a conservative member.

The toast of the Ladies, proposed by Mr Carr in an able speech, was responded to with equal ability by Mr Bish,

A vote of thanks to the chair concluded a very enjoyable reunion.