THE MAYORALTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22258, 10 May 1934, Page 8

THE MAYORALTY

MR COX’S TERM OF OFFICE COMPLETION OF FIRST YEAR The completion of a year bf office by the present Mayor of Dunedin (the Rev, E. T. Cox), who, as will be recalled, had not previously- been engaged in any capacity in an administrative municipal body, prompted an ’ ihquify r by k member of the Daily Times staff with respect to his 12 months’ experience of his tenure of an important, civic position. '/' • The first question asked Was/ * 1 How far have you been able to reconcile anticipation with realisation?” ’ ‘ The Mayor replied that, contrary to the usual experience where it is said that “anticipation ’is bptter than realisation,” he had found great delight in fulfilling the many- duties that fall to the lot of a Mayor. He had ' probably never enjoyed better health in liis life than during his year of office. This ho could attribute to the exhilarating effect upon both mind and body of his new experiences. He niada it a practice to let nothing worry or distress him, and thus lie was able to transfer his energies from the most intricate and important consideration of civic or social welfare ip a moment to the multitudinous interests of social or sporting life that constantly engage his attention. His body being fit and his mind fresh, he could enter into the lighter duties of the office with zest and pleasure. The next query put to his Worship was, “Have your intentions proved as easy of fulfilment - as ..you expected?”- \ : • 'i- ■ In reply, the Mayor stated that his first call in his election campaign was that no man sent by the Labour Department to the City Corporation should be “ stood down ” for want of work. This had been carried out and he felt that members of the council were, heartily in support of that programme-; though it had been, questioned several-tijnes in committee. He had told the electors that the resources of the city could provide the means :to give an extra day’s work to the men on No. 5 scheme. This the--council-would not. support. ~i s ; r,-. In justification of his claim, he said that a valuation of the renewal fund assets of one department had been made during the year, and resulted, in the welcome knowledge that the department held a surplus of £44,000 over and above the estimated requirements for renewal purposes. This surplus, -with £14,000 renewal funds in connection with the pipe line, was being used to construct the new tunnel at Waipori. Thus ho had proved his contention that the-city had the assets available to fulfil all - his election ■promises without adding to-the rates or raiding the reserves.

It should be mentioned, parenthetically, that while the expenditure of this money is now authorised, it is not in the manner originally proposed by the Mayor. ■’ ■ ' ■•• "r

The reporter inquired, “Have you changed your mind with regard to the demands which the office' makes upon the holder with respect to both time, and energy? ” , ■ •' • ■ To this the Mayor replied that it was his opinion, after one year of offico. that the demands of the mayoralty on any man in the prime of lire were not so strenuous as to make it imperative that he should devote himself'to the Mayoral duties alone. As a matter of fact, he had maintained his church work in such a manner that his church was. the only one in Otago in his. denomination that had added a 10 per cent, increase to its membership during the year.