THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Issue 349, 20 November 1882, Page 3

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

To the Editor of the Star.

Sib, — It has been stated that the oflices of Road Board Clerk, and Clerk of County Couucil will not clash with that of Mayor of the Borough, by which these districts are surrounded. One fact is worth a dozen arguments. The boundary roads of the Borough comprise nearly one-half of the roads of the town. In the event of any dispute or misunderstanding between the two bodies, would the Clerk go with his masters or the Borough ? Seeing that the Road Board is supposed to pay half the cost of the boundary roads, it is a most important question. No necessity for misunderstandings to arise, say some. Disputes have arisen between publio bodies before this. The most simple case in such a case, is to appoint a committee from either body to adjust the matter. The Mayor would be a member of the committee for the borough, and at the same time clerk for the other body : would he not occupy an anomalous position ? If proof is wanting as to how one aspiring Mayor would act, take the following. The three auctioneers' licenses were paid into the county fund iv error. Instead of being at once handed over by the clerk (who is also a councillor), he Bought on behalf of the Road Board to retain the money : and to that end procured the best legal advice in Wellington. The lawyer stated the retention was illegal ; even then the whole of the money was not paid, lawyer's expenses were deducted, and the balance only paid over to the borough fund. What ho would do as councillor he would do to a greater extent as Mayor. The question arises : do the burgesses want clerk-government intensified ? If so, make the Road Board clerk Mayor, and, with our present Town Clerk, they will get it with a vengeance. —I am, &c,

Burgess.