LONDON'S LORD MAYOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 2, 3 January 1934, Page 5

LONDON'S LORD MAYOR.

AN EXPENSIVE HONOUR. COSTLY ENTERTAINING. London's Lord Mayor, Alderman and Sheriff (.'. 11. Collet, who was recently "elected" at the Guildhall, is the head of a 'arge hosiery firm and a wealthy man. He will need his income, for holding the office of Chief Magistrate of the ancient city of London is a costly privilege. "Is he rich enough to be Lord Mayor of London-" is, in fact, a question that the Court of Aldermen must answer before the appointment of a new Lord Mayor. The City Corporation allows the Lord Mayor £10,000, but this does not cover the expenses of the year of office, which may run up to £30,000. Mr. Collet's inauguration on November 9 meant an outlay of about £4000 for the procession—the famous Lord Mayor's Show — an d the banquet. Of this the Lord Mayor pays half, the other half being borne equally by the two Sheriffs, as part of their outlay during the year, generally amounting in all to £4000 or £5000. The Lord Mayor's allowance was fixed at £10,000 more than sixty years ago, and there has been no increase since to meet the increased cost of entertaining, a very heavy item, especially in connection with national and international conferences and visits of foreign royalties and other celebrities.

The cost of every official luncheon, dinner and entertainment given by the Lord Mayor is paid by him. He has to find his own horses, pay his servants and coachmen, provide their expensive livery and also his own gorgeous robes. His hand is always in his pocket,