THE FINAL FLUTTER

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 72, 27 April 1929, Page 8

THE FINAL FLUTTER

MAYOR EXTERTAINS COUNCILLORS. PRESENTED WITH GOLD MEDAL. At the conclusion of the ordinary ' business of tlie Hastings Boroual) I Council last night, the Mayor, Mr ! G. A. Maddisou, entertained at sup- ; per the members of tlie council, heads ! of the departments and the press. • Procedings commenced with the Royal toast,,after which His Worship congratulated the councillors on their verv successful tcrm of offic-e. Denling with the future. tlie Mayor regretted the absence of co-operation of sucli organisations as progressive societies and beautifying leagues, etc., which could be of wonderful lielp to the town. Amongst matters which would have to be considered in the future wns the revaluation of farra lands in tlie borough- » There was also tlie future policy of the electrical position. Tlie 'contract with the Government would operate for another tliree years, and then be reviewed. Although His Worship agreed that the country sliould be assisted lie saw no reason wliy Napier and Hastings sliould have to bear the burden of losses in othcr parts. A fair thing was acceptable but it sliould not be made a burden. The question of new by-laws would have to be dealt with as the present set was out of date and tlien therc was the Women's Rest. It was absolutely essential that this sliould be extended for it was absolutely overcrowded. What was needcd was new buildings for tlie Plunket Society. Getting back to electricity, the council would have to consider whetlier it was going to maintain an efficient stand-by plant or tlirow itself on the Power Board. Continuing, His Worship said that septic tanks for the sewerage system at the Ngaruroro would have to be installed and in a few years the

borough would be faced with the :enewal of the greater part oi tlie town's present sewerage. In this connection, lie suggested that the incoming council sliouid set aside a small amount of its surplus each year. His Worship referred to tlie apathy shown by the public in connection with its civic afi'airs. After several other toasts had been honoured, Cr. McKee, as deputy ]Mayor, proposed the toast of "The Mayor." He said that Hastings was losing the best Mavor who had sat in ihe chair, and it was only at the last minute that the people realised what a valuable man they were losing, buc the gi'eatest tribute that could be paid Mr Maddison was for him to know that his retirement had caused honest and genuine regret througliout the wliole comniunity. Gr. McKee, on behalf of t'he councillors, then asked His Worship to accept a gold medal as a xnark of affection and esteem from the members of past and tlie present councils. He wisbed the Mayor the best of wislies and hoped tliat he would in the near future come back in the service of the borough. It wns not given to manv men to be a leader of men and l\Ir IMaddison had proved himself a leader of men. The medal. which was faced with the Hastings BorougTi's crest, hore the inscription : — "Presented to 'G. A. Maddison, Esq.. by the Hastings Boroush eouneillnrs on his retirement from the Mayoralty, 1929." All the councillors present eulogised the services of Mr jMnddison, and His Woi-shio, in reol.v. said that if all went well, it was "his intention to re-enter public life. Tlie gatherino; coneluded with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."