THE COUNTY CHAIRMANSHIP.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 71, 24 November 1887, Page 2

THE COUNTY CHAIRMANSHIP.

Contrary io expectations, goo.l*fa*te, and o d sense, Cr J. Clark has been elected Chairman of the County Council. Combined with the office of Chairman is the appointment, ex officio, to a seat on the Harbor Board. We are, to say ths least, astonished it the result of the election, and surpris’d hat Or Clark has allowed himself to b placed in such an irrelevant position. Of 4r Clark as a Councillor we can speak in the highest terms. He has his faults, some of wnich have been previously pointed out, bu l aken all round he is a good, conscientious Councillor. Yet he has become a party to a move the depth of which he himself may b unable to fathom. Anyone who has the least knowledge of the courtesies that each member of a body of this nature is expected o extend towards his fellow members will be greatly taken aback by the course which the majority of the County Council adopted yes terday afternoon. Indeed it is almost beyond conception- of course this is only looking on the face of things, which makes no small difference—that Cr Gannon could have been treated in the discourteous way in which he has been, and being proposed, too, by Cr Wallace, an old and tried Councillor. On the other hand Cr Clark was proposed, seconded, and supported by new Councillors. Cr Clark cannot claim great experience or bdity to fulfil the duties to which he will be called upon to attend, while Cr Gannon has had over seven years of the experience best fitted to qualify him for the position—his ability must be acknowledged. We expressed surprise at the result, but that must be qualified, though it may seem incongruous, with the statement that it was all a previously concocted scheme. The fact of the matter is that if Cr Gannon were elected Chairman of the Council, he would have to resign the dual seat on the Harbor Board, and that would give the ratepayers a chance to show how lheir feelings run in connection with harbor matters. This a certain party dare not do, for they know the result would be contrary to their wishes. It was a clever artifice, but we again express regret that Cr Clark should have given his support to it. However, as Cr Clark has accepted ih? position, he is on* titled to every support, and we feel sure that the commendable spirit which Cr Gannon displayed will be reciprocated by the other Councillors.