THE MAYORAL CHAIR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20701, 26 April 1929, Page 17

THE MAYORAL CHAIR.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Permit me to make a few comrr.euts on your leading article o£ the 13th inst., with reference to the city mayoralty. In the course of my address at South Dunedin I expressed the opinion tout the time had arrived when it was necessary that a well-trained business man should be placed at the head of affairs who must do more than “ wear the ermine and preside at social functions.’ I want to make my position quite clear. I fully realise the importance of the citizens bei.ng represented by the Mayor at the numerous public and social functions which take place in the city, but I think that, after all, this is by no means tinniest important part of hi? duties. Surely you do not for a moment suggest that ; cannot reasonably compare favourably with past mayors in this respect You had an opportunity in 1908-9, durum my mayoral term, of judging, and I think you were on the whole satisfied with' the manner in which I conducted my several social duties. Indeed, you passed complimentary remarks in some of your leaders. I by no means belittle this side of the office, but when we get down to bedrock it must be admitted that the welfare of any city depends on efficient administration and on getting the best possible return for the expenditure incurred. I have no desire to usurp the position of the town clerk or any of the officers, but I do say that the Mayor would be wanting in his duty to the ratepayers if ho did not take an intelligent interest and have a fair knowledge of the work demanded from these officers. The trading activities of the Dunedin City Corporation have asconsiderable dimensions, and, in addition, there are other matters requiring careful attention so as to get the best results for the ratepayers. The magnitude and diversity of the corporation’s activities are such as to demand the attention of the best business men available and I am fully convinced that, if the Mayor wishes to carry out bis duties properly, he must have a thorough knowledge of all the details, so that he may take an intelligent part in directing the policy of the council. In short, the Mayor may be regarded as the chairman of directors of a company in which the rate payers are the shareholders, and it is hia job to get the best results for all concerned. I am glad you have at last expressed yourself in regard to the “rolling office ’ question. To quote your words; “ There is no legislative warrant for it, or indeed, any warrant of any kind other than is expressed in the desire of the citizens to recognise conspicuously useful service on the part of a representative in the council by the bestowal on him of the offer W^C^1 * s * n their power to There is a considerable amount of unT u mm ds of the electors as to whether the present council has done anything especial to commend itself to them anti it is thought that a change is at resent desiraMe. Many feel that the change Should be particularly in the mayoral chair, and for that reason my friends and supporters consider that, on my past services and knowledge of municipal affairs, °, ffer to the citizens as a candidate for mayoral honours. The Ratepayers Association are evidently of the some opinion, as they have refrained from nominating a councillor for the chair, and indeed, have only selected five of the nrccounciL—l' am, rG £f csent « the new. April 24. J ° HK