First Mayor remembered
Southland District Council's first Mayor, John Casey JP, has died.
Mr Casey had been a councillor on the Southland County Council since 1974, before becoming Mayor in 1986 for the last term. He was elected Mayor of Southland District Council after amalgamation in 1989, and stood down at the end of that term in 1992.
Mayor Frana Cardno, who was the Te Anau councillor in Council's first term, said she was deeply saddened by the news of his death.
"My condolences go to his family. John was a very proud Southlander who held dear the values of Southland," Mrs Cardno said.
"He was a very well respected Mayor, full of integrity and always had the best interests of Southland in mind."
Toetoes councillor Paul Duffy said Mr Casey was also well respected in the Otara district where his family has farmed for generations. Mr Casey was involved in many organisations from church to Lions in the area.