SALARY OF MAYORS. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7158, 24 January 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

SALARY OF MAYORS. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—On the 22nd September' last, in the City Council, Mr Councillor Cairns moved — ■' That in the opinion of this Council it is not desirable that any salary should ba attached to the Mayoral office during the coming year." This met with opposition—among others, from Councillor Murray. As reported in your paper at the time. Councillor Murray opposed the motion. " The mover had referred to Edinburgh and Glasgow; but in th 9 former placa a salary of £1000 was given, and in tho latter £350." Being a citizen of Glasgow up till so late as 1874 (indeed a native), I was frequently appealed to obout this. I replied that it was not the case up till that time, and that if it had been introduced more recently I surely would havo heard of it. However, I wrote Home, and this is the reply, received a few days ago: " Neither the Lord Provost, bailies, nor councillors get a single farthing for their services to this city, nor does the Lord Provost of Edinburgh. The statements mado, as you say, are without foundation." Mr Murray, I understand, has long been aware of hia error, and I expected that he would have confessed it publicly. If a fittiug opportunity did not occur earlier, surely at tho meeting of Council on the 17th of this month he might have made the amende honorable, and as publicly contradicted the statement that he so publicly made. But he haa not thought proper to do so. At the meeting mentioned both he and Mr Cairns were present, aud the salary of £400 to the Mayor is said to have beeu voted unanimously.—l am, &c, John Crawford,

William street, Dunedin, January 21,