THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 9779, 14 January 1901, Page 4

THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF HIM.

It would soarcely be possible to give any adequate idea of the arduous duties devolving upon the lord Mayw, says a writer in "Caosell's Magazine;" evory hour of eyery day is crowded out with business. Tho correspondence, which is heavy, varied, and even amusing, is gono through at a very early hour, for- by ten o'olock his Lordship holds himsolf in readiness to receive visitors and deputations. Then comes the business of the Court, and after that is over he has demands on his time which are so numerous that it is an utter impossibility for him to accede to them all, In his official capacity he ii conneoted with a legion of schools, societies, and hospitals, many of which he periodically visits. The Court of Aldermen and the Court of Common Council each make inroads upon his time, and being the Chief Commissioner he must attend the Central Criminal Court on the opening day of each sossion, the "Sword of Justice" being placed behind him. Here 1 may say that there are fou. iwtirds appertaining to the Mansion House regalia; fheone just mentioned; the'" Sword of State," which is borne in front of him as an emblem of his authority; the "Black Sword," which is used during Lent and for tho death of any member of the Boyal Family; and the " Pearl Sword "—presented by Queen Elizabeth-whlch is carried beforo him On all State occasions. Different silken gowns are also worn for different dcoasions. For festivities the colour is scarlet; on the occasion of the Boyal Audience the lord Mayor iB resplendent in a gown of goki, while for occasions of mourning black is worn. His Lordship enjoys the right of private audience with the Queen should public affairs demand it; he has also the privilege of entree to Levee or DrawingKoom, and, to save time, uses the Ambassador's entrance, instead of falling into the usual loag line of carriages. In the City he takes the precedence of all, even the Sovereign, it being customary for him to meet Her Majesty at Templo Bar.

_ A great inroad on the lord Mayor's timei is mado by the public meetings held at the Mansion House, oyer which he must preside; and beyond all compute is the great amount of Work entailed by, the " Mansion Hontd FandS" on behalf of sufferers by Various calamities at home and abroad. .

All this does not by any means represent anything like the amount of work to be gone, through, necessitating that each Lord Mayor must possess more than the usual amount of DUBiness energy, and more than the usual amount of adaptability to the variety of circumstances in which he may find himself placed. Added to this;, he must be prepared to disburse ft la#e amount of money from bis own pooket, fjor if ho is a good Lord Mayor, bis salarv of £IO,OOO is only about one-third of what he will expend during the year.