THE MAYORALTY.

North Otago Times, Volume 1944, Issue XXVI, 20 July 1878, Page 2

THE MAYORALTY.

(To the Editor of tho North Otaoo Times.) Sin, — I was disappointed at the resolution passed by the Town Council last night, relative to the Mayor. The only remaining Councillor -who had not signed tho requisition, evidently fearing that ho might not bo thought sufficiently appreciative of tho Mayoi's powers, came forward to do a little of the reciprocal back-scratching. This was to bo regretted. I should have preferred if cither Councillors Mainland or Headland had discharged tho duty of drawing up the valedictory addross, and speaking to it, as from a long experience in mourning tho loss of the retiring Mayors, they must have become oloquent. Would you kindly allow mo space for tho following extract from an old issue of your paper: — Councillor Mainland, as one who had been in tho Council for six years, including Mr Sumptor'a term of office, must express his great rugret that they should lose the services of the present Mayor. He felt cortain that all tho members of tho Council would join him in wishing that Mr Sumpter's health would io far improve that on a future occasion he would again be able to offer himself as Mayor. He thought the Council was tp bo congratulated on the mutual good feeling and harmony which had existed between his Worship and tho Councillors, and this was owing in a great measuro to the Mayor. Ho then moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Councillor Headland, and carried unanimously :—: — That a voto of thanks be recorded to His Worship the Mayor, Goorge Suinptor, Esq., in tho minute book of tho Council, for tho impartial and courteous manner in which ho has discharged the duties pertaining to his office during the past year, and to express the extreme regret which this Council feels that owing to his ill-henlth he has been compelled to decline to allow himself to be nominated for tho offico again, tho more especially as tho groat and important works that ho has inaugurated will possibly suffer for tho want of his large and extended' experience and management. This Council, in. bidding farewell to His Worship, trust that it is but » temporary separation, and that in a few months his health will be sufficiently restored to permit him to rcsuino his position as our Mayor again. It must, however, bo very gratifying to him in so much that during his term of office ho has assisted in the inauguration of the most important and extensive public works that have been undertaken in our Municipality, including the successful carrying out of tho Gasworks, the commencement of tho present water supply, and the bridging of the Oamaru Creek. The Council then adjourned. It seems that it is a weakness of some of our Councillors to dislike putting off the old and taking on tho new. T admit that there is some cruelty in breaking up so happy a party. I am told that tho reason that some of tho 'Councillors delight in tho v possession of our presont Mayor is that ho sates them a wonderful amount of trouble in having resolutions already prepared for ( them to propose and second, so that thon their strength might remain undiminished when the timo for advocating thorn comes. This is a great advantago, and no doubt we have roason to congratulate ourselves that our Council havo abolished the stupid old notions that out of diversity of opinion and debato truth comes. Let tho citizens therefore surrender to our Mayor and Councillors tho fullest and largest expressed power possiblo, and take their word for it that " all's well." It is a work of su-' porerogation for anyone to endeavor to throw any light on municipal matters. All truth has been obtained ; our present Mayor is tho happy centre of it, and tho Councillors are the reflectors of it. It would, I ngain say, bo cruelty to break up so happy a family. How unpleasant it would bo if any person was there whoso power did not overshadow tho lesser powers, and keep them in their right plac3S. What His Worship seems to riew as a calamity might occur if he is not electud. Some hot discussion might possibly take pUco. Lot us endeavor to avoid this calamity. I am, &c, Tax.