MR CARO INSTALLED

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20502, 19 May 1938, Page 8

MR CARO INSTALLED

MAYORAL INVESTITURE NEW COUNCIL SWORN IN INAUGURAL MEETING HELD With traditional ceremony, Mr H. D. Caro was installed, In the borough chambers last evening, as the new Mayor of Hamilton, the ceremony being performed by the retiring Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, while at the Inaugural meeting of the new council which followed, councillors were sworn in for their new three-years’ term- “ The position of Mayor carries with it great and increasing responsibilities, but the Mayor-elect is not new to borough affairs. He can walk straight into harness and do well,” said Mr Fow, speaking prior to the ceremony, “and I have no misgivings about the future- I predict for him a successful and expansive period of service.” For over 30 years, continued Mr Fow, he himself had served upon the council and he was thankful to say that during that period he had never had to miss a meeting. Again, he could congratulate councillors on the fact that, during his office as Mayor, the meetings of the council had never been delayed and he had always been sure of a quorum by 7.30 p.m." The punctuality of councillors had been most marked and the borough had a record for promptitude and despatch in dealing with borough business which was to be envied. The debates had also been of a very high standard. Term of Great Expansion Looking to the future, the ensuing term would undoubtedly prove one of great expansion and progress in the borough. The twin projects of the railway lowering and Garden Place \vould have to be considered by the new council and all things considered they could look forward to a busy three years. Mr Fow then invested the new Mayor with the robes of office and the chain, handing to him the mayoral gavel, symbol of authority at the council table, and his Worship, the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr H. D. Caro, signed the statutory Mayoral declaration amid applause. Upon taking the mayoral chair, Mr Caro welcomed both the new councillors and those of the old council who had been returned. Fuller Chairmen’s Reports ‘‘ln appointing the committees this year,” he said, “I would like chairmen to make more detailed reports than in the past so that councillors taking part in debates may have a better and fuller knowledge of the subjects under discussion. There has been a certain amount of criticism about the committee work of the council, but I would like to point out to new councillors that the only successful and speedy way to cope with the business is to deal with it in the committees. Whatever is decided there has to be confirmed in open council.’’ It was his intention, the Mayor continued, to have again a General Purposes Committee, to which all councillors would belong, for discussing any subject which would take too long in open council. More Publicity “It is my intention.” said Mr Caro, “with the consent of the council, to invite the press to be present at all meetings of the General Purposes Committee so that the public will have all possible information on what is being done by the council.” Mr Caro, in concluding his brief address, made eulogistic reference to the work done for the borough by’ Mr Fow. Few towns in New Zealand had been as fortunate as Hamilton in having at the head of civic affairs a man of the ability and integrity of the retiring Mayor- Throughout his long term of office Mr Fow had lived up to the principle that his word was his bond and in offering his services again to the borough as a councillor he had shown that unselfish spirit which had endeared him to all citizens of Hamilton.