THE MAYORAL HONORARIUM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14440, 5 February 1909, Page 3

THE MAYORAL HONORARIUM.

I SiK,--.\\>t ;i salary for work done by the .occupant of the chair, but rat her a payment . allowed by ihr c-cuncil at its own pleasure jUi enable. tlu> *cat to ho tilled wit.lt liberal. I no! pKisiinmiiotfi, dignity befitting the | status of the r.-liief otlu-ia! rpprest'iitiiiK the cttvMiis for din time being. .Such ti the I idea generally hold. | believe, of the r«a----j suns lor granting the honorarium to the j mayor. 'J'|i ß honour of ibc position is, • nml ought to bo, considered ample reason I for his services, but it is fell- that sometimes it -would press too nniuli on a mayor's private resources to meet all the domumls made upon him because he happens to be mayor, ami, therefore, the lioiiornrium is set. aside for him to do his j duty _ properly in, Bay. eiilarlaining disi tingitished strangers, and in making. navmonts for other (including beneficent) purj JJ0369, etc., etc. But rumour has it that the Mayor makes no such disbursements out of his £400. and simply leaves the council to pay the bills—complaisant, council! Tlk> money tloes not come out of the, pockets of its mem!>ers, but out of the pocket* of the ratepayers. For instance, it is a fact, not to he gainsaid, that: bis Worship has definitely refused, to meet the expenses connected with the admiral's visit, the opening of tlie Free Library (a small bill, about £7), and oilier minor charges, which clearly fall within, the scope of the mayoral honorarium. and so the whole £400 he treat.-; as salary, to be used for his own personal enjoyment. A\e have known of the council refusing the honorarium on a past occasion. How would that suit Mi IPDouuM if he really intends to stand for a wcoud term? The question is not inappropriate—l am, etc., Diinedin, February 3. Yomck.