CITY MAYORALTY

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 52, 25 November 1930, Page 10

CITY MAYORALTY

Request to Mr. Troup RECONSIDER DECISION Civic League’s Appeal 'JL'ho Civic League waited in force upon the Mayor, Mr. G. A. Troup, yesterday and appealed to him to reconsider his decision not to stand for the Mayoralty next April. This Mr. Troup promised to do, not hopefully, however, but he said ,at the same time if it were not for his rheumatism the announcement that ne would not stand again would never have been made. Mr J H. Whittaker said that at a recent meeting of the Civic League when the mayoralty was discussed the comrnittee had declined to consider anything other than trying to get Mr. Troup to reconsider his decision. They expressed their deep appreciation of the manner in which he had carried out the duties of Mayor of this city. They were indeed gratified to have him in that position, and could not view lightly his reported decision not to stand again. If he would reconsider that decision the Civic League would work solely in his support. Mr. Philip Myers endorsed all the previous speaker had said. During the last few days he had spoken to many people on the subject of the mayoralty and the proposed effort to get Mr. Troup to reconsider his decision, and in not a single instance was there any difference of opinion. If there was a rise.in the rates the Mayor was always blamed for it. There were some men who only saw the increased rates they had to pay withoof looking at the rents they received. When Mr. Troup had taken office four years ago there were many works necessary which should have been undertaken previous to that, and these had to be done. Wellington was a city of progress—it simply had to go ahead or go back. But the next year would be comparatively easy, as on account of the prevailing conditions no more would be spent by the city generally than was absolutely necesSnl ‘Wou are going to stand for Parliament next year,” continued Mr. Myers, “and that you will be returned I do not doubt. There are some citizens who hold that a man cannot hold a dual position and do both thoroughly. In your case it will be twelve months next June before you would be called upon to take up your parliamentary duties in earnest. In any case you can do more good for the city ns Mayor than you can ns a member of Parliament.” ' Deputy-Mayor Suggested. Mr. W. A. Andrews begged Mr. Troup to give the matter his most careful and earnest consideration, and become once more a candidate for the Mayoralty. They only had to look round ami see the big works he had instituted to realise how much Mr. Troup was interested in the beautifying and advancement of the capital city. In his work as Mayor he had not spared his health or his‘resources, and they earnestly desired his continuance in office as they were convinced that no one could carry on as well as he. Those works he had commenced he should be prepared to carry forward to a finish. Mr. Andrews suggested that a deputy-mayor should be apnointed. to relieve the Mayor of much of the worry of small things .and help him generally. Mr. A. C. Blake said the Mayor would appreciate the difficulties which confronted the league in getting a good Mayor and council. Tn looking round they could not see anyone in sight for the office of Mayor but' Mr. Troup. He had all the desired qualifications, and should he refuse. it was going to make it very difficult to fill the position. “In three words,” concluded Mr. Blake, “we want Troup.’ Mayor in Reply. Mr. Troup said he was. much touched by the references made to himself and h’v the request that he should again offer himself for the high office of Mayor of the city. The position was an arduous one to fill, but not too arduous for a man in perfectly good health. Some nine months ago he had been troubled with rheumatism, but this had left him for a time when he took a long sea trip to Vancouver. During the past two months the trouble had recurred, causing not only pain during the day but sleeplessness at nights. He was glad on the whole that his term of office had met with general approval, but was equally glad that he had not pleased everybody. ■ City’s Finances. During the last nine months he had realised that the city was going to be up against it in common with the rest of tiie Dominion, and had made up his mind that ns far as he was concerned there would not be another loan. That attitude he had adhered to. and the one loan raised since had not been with his acquiescence and in his presence. It was done while he was absent in Vancouver, and since he had been back he had been under the necessity of killing another loan proposal brought before the council. With regard to the loans raised during his term of office, Mr. Troup said he had no apologies to make, for there was always a time to press on, and a time to call a halt. Right through his period he had been against any increase in expenditure. “I will certainly give the matter you have placed before me all consideration,” said Mr. Troup, “but I will not say hopefully. I would like to say it hopefully, but it is too serious a question to dismiss at a moment’s notice.” He promised to talk it over with Mrs. Troup. Subsequently, it was agreed as between Str. Troup and the members of the deputation, that he would defer giving an answer to its request until after the holidays in January.