MAYOR'S TASK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 135, 10 June 1938, Page 8

MAYOR'S TASK.

IN SUNNY HONOLULU. REST AFTER EIGHT YEARS. BRIEF AUCKLAND VISIT. Mr. George F. Wright. Mayor of Honolulu, was not at his desk this morning, but reclined comfortably in a deck chair a.s the Mariposa came into Queen's wharf at Auckland after the trip across the Pacific. He was having- a rest after eighi years in the mayoral chair, and oast an approving eye shorewards. "You seem a bit congested, though," he said., as he looked at the business centre. Then, on being informed that the population of Greater Auckland was nearlv a quarter of a million. 'That's about "the same as Honolulu," he remarked. But he omitted to add that the area over, which he exercised Mavoral powers was ten times as large as Auckland eitv and suburbs. He stated that with the assistance of seven councillors he governed a territory of 604 square miles which compares with CO square miles m Auckland city and the surrounding boroughs. ° His was a dual position he explained and combined the duties of governing an urban and rural community. The area was that of the citv and coiintv. When he returns home after" completing the round trip to New Zealand and Australia. Mr. Wright will prepare for the next Mayoral election, for he intends to offer his services for a further two years as chief citizen of Honolulu We have been very fortunate." he said, and have had our full share of prosperity, but the drop in the price of sugar lately has begun to have its effect on business."

Although Honolulu was now an important airport on the trans-Pacific air route, this had not produced anv marked change in the city, he concluded, but had brought Honolulu much closer to the I mted States by reducing the trip from one of several days by steamer to le*s than a day by Clipper ship.