THE MAYORALTY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 18 April 1914, Page 3

THE MAYORALTY

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Though "Ratepayer" is apparently writing on his own on this oc casion, having left out the "We;" ye. it is very clear that his sole object is t damage our worthy Mayor in the eye cf the public. I hold the opinion tna the Mayor has carried out the duties pei taining to the office in a capable man ner ; and so far as 1 can see, has al ways given his vote in the direction c judicious economy, and it is grossly un fair cf "Jtatepayer" to endeavour t. make your readers believe that th Mayor is the whole Council. It is wcrs than piffle to say that the Mayor i. wholly responsible for the administra tion of the Council; he is responsible only for his own votes and actions. Ye. "Ratepayer" is satisfied with the Coun cil, but has no' time for the Mayor; per naps he would like to take on the Mayor's job? Well, let him. have a go and he will find he has a very tougl. proposition to face. 1 very much ques- ! tion if the Mayor ever made the state irent about reducing the overdraft b) ' -f 2000. I am sure lie never said so a. his public meetings. He did promise, s< tar as His own vote was concerned, t reduce the rates ; and I contend that h. has not yet had an opportunity of do ing .so, and will not until the next esti mates are framed, when the votes will b struck. Surely it would be scarcely straight or honest to attempt this dui ing his first few- weeks of office, withou having hSd anything to do with th previous administration. No, Mi Editor, I don't think our Mayor wouh take a mean advantage of this kind "Ratepayer" wants a better busines man, and says the present Mayor is no sufficiently alive to have fortnighth meetings of the Council. As a businesi man. I should say he is above the aver age, but fancy blaming our Mayor fo: the Council meetings once a month when, according to your paper, he op posed such an innovation. and latei tabled a notice of motion to rescind it. This motion was not carried, but a kinx. of compromise arrived at, by whicl urgent business could be taken at fort nightly meetings of the Council (in committee). I clearly showed where ; large amount of extraordinary expendi ture was made, and I hope to be abh later on to show the amount of legacy left bv the previous Council. Sir, I d< very little letter writing—it's not in m> line; but I am quite satisfied that thr administration of the present Mayor anc Council will compare very favourably with that of previous Councils, and tha. the Mayor has devoted as much tim< and given more personal attention to th affairs of the city than any previous occupant of the position. I am, etc., ' -^ SMALL RATEPAYER. (To the Editor.) Sir,— "Ratepayer" reminds one of the blackbird that sits behind the hedge anc. chirps. Why not come out m the opet and let's see who vou are? and I think. if vou are worth powder and shot, oui present Mayor will bag you fast, shot: quick and lively. In "Ratepayers first letter he said : The former Mayor gave us a statement of the Council s finance /•very quarter, and the present Mayoi has kept us entirely in the dark. Now what do we see in his second lettei Why he gives us the exact figures what the last Council spent and what this oneis spending. Now. his first statement Pbout being in the dark must be wrong ■ he has not been in the darlt. I want to know why "Ratepayer puts all the blame on the Mayor only if theie is anything wrong ; don't you think the Councillors are U> blame as well. Wh> pick out the Mayor for a target ( Ratepaver" must have a small axe to There is one thing I do know that the last Mavor and Council let the pavilion at the Park remain a wreck for sever, or eUt months. But the present Mayor and Council soon put it right. 6ur friend says the streets are Nov I have been in Nelson over 20 dears', and they have "^fYCConn thine else but starved, and if the Coun. ci takes our friend's advice «k>ing the Sreeta on a large scale-money is was ed o n . patching). I should like to leimnd our friend that a stitch in time, etc Zi a Patch is better than a jok » a verv t?ood policy to follow. Our pie ent Mavor has not missed, one or Committee meeting during his pie. sent term of office, that is sure proof that he is alive to do his best for us If "Ratepayer" is the expert that lie tries to make out he is, why not stand for Mayor? and if he got • in (I don t think) we would have, .after, all hi* ad vice etc.. Mavor, Engineer, and Town Clerk all in one. What, price reducu g the overdraft, we would "be out of debt £ a few years. In conclusion. 1 should I; :sss cou^;

me and us working chaps can have a I /arii to him. (He don't put On side). I am, etc.. WORKER. fTo the Editor.) Sir.—The Mayoral election is in sight, ind,'apparently, the present Mayor is o have a walk over. May I a?k the ■lectors if they consider it a matter cf mportance that we should have as Mayr of our city a man not simply a figureead—but one capable of dealing with nunicipal affairs and of giving a lead i the Council —in fact .« man with some •f the qualities that go to make a sucessiul leader? If the electors think the iresent Mayor is the. right man for the "josition they fhould return him unop>osed, and save the city the cost of an lection. But I think, in fact I know, hat there are many who are not satisied. They give the present Mayor creiit for carrying out his duties honestly, nd 1 think* we all 'agree that he is not i plunger. But, what has he done? Veil, he has simply done nothing, and Jone it ivell. Nelson at the present noment needs a man as Mayor who will ,ive a lead to the Council, as during the oming year there will be some tough natters to face. Can -we secure a randi- ' late to contest the election t I hope that i the interests of the city a strong man .vill come out. I am, etc , ALERT.