THE RETIRING MAYOR.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9603, 18 December 1896, Page 4

THE RETIRING MAYOR.

We entirely agree with the remarks which were made yesterday at the installation of the new Mayor, as to the capable manner in which the retiring Mayor has upheld the dignity of his office during the year in which the honour of the city has been in his hands. Mr. Bjjswiok has

not descended to any of the means for obtaining cheap popularity whioh arc sometimes resorted to by occupants of the civic chair, but he has been conscientious in the discharge of his duties, has at all times upheld the credit of the city, and has conducted the deof the Council with dignity and decorum. He has been exposed to attack on account of his action in regard to the unemployed, but the nioro thinking portion of the community, who have taken the trouble to understand the rights of the case, approve the stand which he took on that occasion. Not only was he carrying out the expressed wishes of the Council, but there is no doubt that in seeking to bring the Government to a sense of their responsibility in this j matter he was acting in the true interests of the working classes ot Christchurch. Nothing could have been more likely to increase the pressure of competition against which they have to strive than making Christchurch a centre of attraction for the unemployed in all parts of the colony. It is to Mr. Beswick's credit that he stood firm on this point, and we are sure that the working men of Christchurch will yet feel that they owe him a debt of gratitude on tbis score.