Dundas Council. - Re-election of Alderman Neil. - The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950) - 6 Feb 1909 (original) (raw)

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Sat 6 Feb 1909 - The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950)
Page 12 - Dundas Council.

Re-election of Alderman Neil.

A special meeting of the Dundas Council

was held on Wednesday evening, for

the purpose of electing a Mayor for the

current year. There were present: The

Mayor (Alderman J. Neil), Aldermen

Wakely, Franks, F. Spurway, Midson,

Henson, Sonter, Catt, and Pettet.

Alderman Spurway rose and said he

had much pleasure in proposing that the

present Mayor retain the chair for

another term. He had done a lot of hard

work, in getting matters into good going

order under the Local Government Act,

and he thought it only right and fair

that he should be given another year in

the position. They would all agree that

he had carried out the duties of the office

faithfully and well. (Hear, hear.) Of

course, there had been differences of

opinion on matters of administration, but

that could not be helped where each

exercised his own judgment as to what was

best in the interests of the municipality.

They gave the Mayor credit for the opinions

he held, and expressed, and he was

sure that the Mayor gave them credit

also. The past year had been one of

progress, and they had all worked well

together to advance the interests of the

municipality. He trusted the year they

had entered upon would be equally

prosperous. (Hear, hear.)

Alderman Henson said it afforded him

much pleasure to second the proposition.

He recognised that the Mayor had had a

severe and anxious time in getting the

council safely through the initiatory

stages of Local Government. They had

has a hard tow to hoe, and it redounded

much to the Mayor's credit that the council

had passed through the ordeal so

successfully. It was only fair now that he

knew the ropes so well, the council should

confer upon him the honor of the

position for another term. (Hear, hear.)

Alderman Sonter said that, to his mind,

the Mayor had discharged his duties in

a very fair and square manner during

the two years he had held office, and he,

for one, would like to see him placed in

the position. for another year.

Alderman Pettet said no doubt things

had been done during the yenr that had

not pleased a number of the ratepayers,

but that was sure to be the case when

they strove to do their best for the

municipality as a whole. No matter what

they did, they could not hope to give

satisfaction to all. (Hear, hear.) He

recognised that there was no one more

able to fill the position than Alderman

Neil, and he had much pleasure in

supporting his nomination.

Alderman Franks said that whilst Alderman

Neil was able and willing to occupy

the position, he did not think that

any one else would be anxious to have

it. At least he was not. He supported

Alderman Midson believed that Alderman

Neil was the right man in the right

place, and he felt sure he would continue

to fill the position with credit to himself

and the municipality. He was

indoubtedly the best man at the table at

There being no other nominations,

Alderman Spurway's motion was put

and carried unanimously, amid applause.

The Mayor returned thanks for the

honor the council had again conferred

upon him, which was a proof that they

appreciated the services he had rendered

in the past. In regard to a certain matter

in which he had to study the interests

of the whole community, he had not

succeeded in giving satisfaction to all.

That could hardly be expected, but time

often brought with it enlightenment,

and he believed those who were

dissatisfied with their efforts to improve

the sanitary condition of the municipality

would in the course of time admit that

the step taken by the council was after

all, the correct one. He had endeavoured

to discharge the duties of the office to

the best of his ability, and he sincerely

thanked his brother Aldermen for the

assistance they had given him in the

administration of the Local Government

Act. The work had been done in a manner

all. Things had gone along nicely, and

not much trouble had been experienced.

A little inconvenience had been felt by

the late clerk resigning after being

broken into the work, and by again

working with a new clerk, but with all

respect to Mr. Carson, he felt sure that

he would acquit himself creditably. One

thing, this year would not be as arduous

as the past. He again thanked them for

the honor done him, and assured them that

as in the past, he would render the best

service he was capable of. (Applause.)