The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1885

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 5476, 6 February 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1885

For tho cause that lacks assistance. For the wrong that needs resistance. For tho future in the distance, And the good that wo can do.

The action of the City Council last night in 1 ejecting the Chairman of the Harbour Board as thoir representative was too pointed to be the result ofmero accident. The charge made by Mr Aickin that a canvass had taken place with the object of securing his exclusion is no doubt true, and we have no hesitation in saying that the result does not reflect much credit upon the arch-con-spirators. The motive seems to have been twofold—that Mr Aickin has trodden on the corns of some members is, no doubt, partly the reason; but there is, we believe, also some scheming for his office in the Board, in the expectation that it will shortly be made a paid appointment. However, intrigues of that kind, dishonestly pursued, usually fail of their object, and in this instance the Harbour Board and the shipping interests will not readily forgive the insult which has been deliberately offered to them by the Municipal Council. That the gentleman whom the Board had chosen for its Chairman has been forced out of office by the action of a kindred body will not tend to increase the cordiality prevailing between the two local governing authorities. . State the case in another way ; What would have been thought in the Council of the removal of the Mayor by a vote of the Harbour Board ? Unquestionably the members of Council must have, regarded such an act as one of gross discourtesy towards them, and would have felt bound in honour to support their chief executive officer. The action is unfortunate in various ways. For many years a conflict of interests existed between the Council and the Boardi and the feeling prevailing between the two was the reverse of cordial. Both bodies seemed occasionally to forget that the good management of the city of Auckland and of its harbour are of equal importance to the citizens. Tn the election of Mr Aickin there was a happy recognition of this identity, and the success which has attended his administration —the friendly arrangement of works of mutual interest such as the Emily Place and Hobson-street' cuttingsmarked the inauguration of a healthier state of things. Some difference, it is true, arose a few months ago over the Harbour Boatd Bill and the liability of the Board for roads laid off on future reclamations, but there has been none of that old acrimonious feeling—Council and Board have worked harmoniously together as the representatives of the same community. It was neither a graceful nor a judicious act, therefore, for the Council to deal" out this etwpid and unmerited snub to a member who has been conspicuous for his deyotjon to public interests both in the Cojinei} and Harbour Board, and who has always tajj.en &n enlightened and public-spirited view of questions coming before those bodies. We agree with our contemporary, however, in regretting that Cr. Aickin should meditate resignation. His first duty is to the ratepayers of East "Ward, who have certainly not lost confidence in him. We believe, also, that some of the Councillors who gave their votes against his election last night sincerely ! regret what has happened, and would gladly see the false step retraced. There seems a possibility of doing this, either by the retirement of one of the representatives elected last nigh.t, or by Mr Aickin becoming a candidate for the Board at the elections next Monday. The shipping community is well satisfied with Mr Aiclcin's representation of their interests at the Board, an,d >y.e are confident that if he chose to offer himself he would . receive a substantial support from the payers of harbour dues. We hope Mr Aickin will stand his ground, and not deprive the citizens of his services. There is no member of the Council whose retirement would be more universally regretted,