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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9467, 11 September 1889, Page 4

Within the last few days we have published several letters on the important subject of who is to be our next mayor, and whether Mr. Devore should be asked to accept a fourth terra As to this last part of the subject, we are authorised to say that Mr. Devore will not be a candidate. We are not aware of Mr. Devore's reasons for coming to this determination, but we may say that we quite believe that he is taking a wise course. There is a danger in any man taking a second term, and there is very great danger in accepting a third. A fourth term is absolutely hazardous. A man who reluctantly agrees to accept a fourth term is apt to discharge the duties of his office in a somewhat careless manner. He is wearied of it. Oil the other hand, the very people who have begged him to accept a fourth term begin to think that they have conferred a favour for which the recipient can never be sufficiently grateful, and for which he can never sufficiently show his gratitude to them personally. There are other considerations, such as that when an able man has been Mayor for several years, he becomes really too powerful in civic matters ; but those reasons we have lirst stated are, we think, sufficient, and no doubt have weighed with Mr. Devore in coming to the decision at which lie has arrived. We have no doubt at all that if he had cared to accept a fourth term he could have got it. He has been a very good Mayor, and has discharged all the duties in a most satisfactory manner. These duties in a city like Auckland are varied—so varied, indeed, that it is very difficult to get one man who can fulfil them all iu a becoming and suitable manner. Our Mayor has to receive distinguished visitors, such as the Governor and Admiral, and has to take a leading part on many occasions of ceremony. He has also, on the other hand, to oversee the whole work of the civic officials, and to be master of all the details of streetmaking, drainage, cleansing of the city, etc. In all departments Mr. Devore lias shown himself rnost capable and painstaking. He has had constantly to guard against extravagance, and in that task he has succeeded admirably. The whole arrangements connected with the Library and Art Gallery have been perfectly carried out by him. Most of his reign has been during a period of depression, when money was not so plentiful as it has been, but still nothing has boen allowed to go to tho bad, and in many respects the city has made great advances. There is considerable difficulty as to a successor. The law gives the ratepayers full liberty to elect any citizen, whether or not he may have served in the Council. No doubt it is expedient to get a man who has made the acquaintance with civic affairs which ho can only obtain in tho Council, but such an apprenticeship is not necessary. Several names have been mentioned, but the person who is most in favour, both in the Council and out of it, is Mr. J. H. Upton. That gentleman has been in the Council, and has obtained a competent knowledge of city affairs. He has been for some time chairman of the Board of Education, and in that capacity has manifested great administrative ability. Mr. Upton, il he can be induced to come forward, would in all probability be elected without any contest.