The Daily News. SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1914. THE MAYORALTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 272, 18 April 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1914. THE MAYORALTY.

Ic is somewhat of a novelty in New Plymouth for a candidate for municipal honors accounting it of sufficient importance to address burgesses on municipal affairs. In making the departure, Mr. J. E. Wilson has set an excellent example that we hope will be followed in future municipal contests. ,Mr. Wilson is to be congratulated upon his speech, which showed careful preparation and revealed a close acquaintance with the several municipal activities. Mr. Wilson is not lacking in confidence. He candidly state 9 that he is a better man for the position of Mayor than Mr. Browne. And he proceeds to give particulars of his qualifications. These we would not like to doubt, but it ia for the burgesses, after all, to decide the point.. It will be admitted that Mr. Wilson has rendered the town good service in several capacities. The firm stand he and another took on the High School Board on a critical occasion was mainly- responsible for the reorganisation that has resulted in the school being transformed from a moribund to a particularly flourishing institution. As a councillor he has undoubtedly made good. His speech showed that he ha» been keeping a watchful eye on things and possesses an intimate knowledge of the affairs of the town. He strongly criticised the administration—or maladministration—of the Mayor, especially in regard to the purchase of the land at the waterworks, which, he alleged, involved a loss to the borough of £3OO, and the arrangement in connection with the raising of the level of lower Carrington road. No doubt Mr. Browne will reply to the allegations; meantime it is well to remember that the Mayor if only one of a Council of thirteen members. In regard to the big schemes with which Mr. Browne has been associated, the Greater New Ply-mouth, tramways and street improvements, Mr. Wilson is disposed to minimise the credit duo to the Mayor. Whatever he or others may say, there is no denying the fact that the groat bnlk of the work connected with these important undertakings has been borne—and ably borne—by Mr. Browne, who isi entitled to due credit and the thanks of the community. It may .be true that others would have been equally successful had they, been in his place, and backed up as he was by a strong and energetic Council, but the fact remains that he-actually carried them through to a successful issue, and now has everything in good training. He has an intimate grip of the details of all the schemes, and, excellent a man as Mr. Wilson may be for the position, we think it would bo unwise of the ratepayers to drop the Mayor at the present moment. It wotfld he against their interests to do so; and, moreover, would be very ungrateful to (one, who, despite his faults—and we have never tried to hide them-h as rendered valuable service t. the borough, unselfishly and unstintmgly devoting his time, ability and energy to advancing the interests of the Place. With Mr. Wilson's definition of the duties of a Mayor we are in accord. No town has a right to expect its chief citizen to devote the whole of his time to the supervision or management of borough affaire. That should be left to the Council's executive officers, working under the direction of tho Council and carrying out its policy. Mr. Browne, it must be admitted, has allowed his immeasurable zeal and accommodating nature to conflict with the dignity and duties of his.office, transforming him as they have into a "glorifled overseer" cum general utility man at the beck and call of Tom, Dick and Harry. But however one may condemn him for what is an undesirable practice and a bad example, one knows it is an error of heart and not of intent. Mr. Browne has now served nearly three years in his present office, and, generally speaking, it is a long enough term <or any citizen, but for reasons which we have .mentioned it is desirable that an exception should be made on this occasion and Mr. Browne's term be extended by another year, at the expiration of which burgesses could do much worse than elect a man of Mr Wilson's public spirit and capability For coming forward Mr. Wilson is deserving of thanks, but wo believe that another year as Councillor would make l»m even more fit for the important P"st he seeks to fill and generallv pro vo m the best interests „f the boroiH,