The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JDLY 15, 1885.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5808, 15 July 1885, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JDLY 15, 1885.

The difference of opinion which on Monday evening culminated in the resignation of the Mayor of New Plymouth and four of the Councillors, will be generally regretted. We never feel disposed to depreciate the importance of principle, for unhappily in this world it is only too often sacrificed to expediency. It is possible, however, that even principle may be viewed in an exaggerated way, and induce sacrifice out of all proportion to its importance. The present trouble appears to have arisen over apparently a very trifling matter, and had Councillor Humphries been in his seat, no doubt it would have been averted. At the meeting of the Borough Council held last month at which only eight of the nine Councillors were present, a resolution was passed on the casting vote of the Mayor that the three Licensing Committees in the Borough be amalgamated into one. This was done with a view of economising the funds of the Borough, for it seems preposterous that fifteen gentlemen should be compelled to w.aste their time in looking after the licenses of eight hotels, when five of a committee could do the work equally as well — if not better. In the East Ward there is but one hotel, but the Councillors representing that ward, who evidently are not, by their action, of an economical turn of mind, objected to the alteration, and were tho cause of £10 being wasted in order, as they stated, that tho views of the ratepayers might be taken on the question. Not contented with this, theso three Councillors issued a circular in which they made several misleading statements, with a view to iuflueuce the ratepayers to Bign the petition against the amalgamation of the wards. One of the misleading statements was that the proposal to amalgamate the wards " was only carried by a most unusual proceeding on the part of His Worship the Mayor (James Paul, Esq.) in usiog his vote and casting vote in its favour." Now, it was not an unusual proceeding ; and, moreover, the Mayor, knowing as he must have done, that had Mr. Humphries been in his seat ho would not have been called upon to exercise his dual vote, very properly gave his decision as he did. On the Council meeting on Monday night, Mr. Paul, on taking his seat, asked the Councillors whose names were attached to the ciroular to explain their conduct in

casting such a grave reflection on him. Tho Councillors attempted to exonerate themselves, by saying "they did not mean to cast any reflection on His Worship, or Mr. Paul as a private citizen;" but, with tho exception of Mr. Small, objected to retract the words or apologise. To allow free discussion on the matter, His Worship the Mayor retired from the Counoil chamber. A resolution was then proposed, with a view to te3t the feeling of the Council on the matter, "that the Council disapproved of the action of Councillors Bellringer, Handy, and Small, in casting unjust reflections on the Mayor in their circular to the ratepayers of the East Ward." Ab the resolution affected Messrs. Bellringer, Small, and Handy, they should have followed Mr. Paul out of the chamber, and allowed the Council to have decided on the merits of the case ; but no, the three councillors kept their Beats, and sat in judgment on themselves, voting against the resolution. By doing so they no doubt aggravated the offence they had committed. Two of the councillors immediately rose and left the Council Chamber, at the same time tendering their resignations. The Mayor on entering and learning the position of affairs also announced his intention to resign the office he was holding ; but consented to retain it until the business of the meeting had been completed. On Tuesday morning two more of the councillors resigned their seats. The reason the Councillors give for retiring from the Council is that they decline sitting at a Board where at any time they are liable to be insulted. This is a very sad state of affairs ; and is very much to be regretted. The Mayor is elected to keep the councillors in check, and generally to control the administration in the interest of the whole city. Councillors represent separate interests. The Mayor owes a responsibility to the whole city, and though his relations to citizens are based on unwritten law in like manner with his relation to Councillors, it is pretty clearly understood that he is sent by the burgesses into the Council to look after their interest, and to answer to them for any inefficiency on the part of the Councillors. It is indeed the chief, if not the only, merit claimed for the system of electing the Mayor by the suffrages of the burgesses that he becomes a check in their behalf on the whole proceeding of the administration ; and when, as on the occasion referred to, he, representing the whole Borough, declared in favor of the amalgamation of the Licensing Wards on the score of economy, the three Councillors representing the East Ward grossly insulted the ratepayers of the Borough by making the statement they did in the circular. We, however, trust that the burgesses will request Mr. Paul and the other Councillors who have retired to withdraw their resignation and go back to their places in the Council. It will be better than putting the Borough to the extra expense of an election ; but if it is too late for that, then we think it is the duty of the other Councillors to resign their seats, and test the right and wrong of the question at the poll.

Captain Edwin telegraphed at 12.34 p.m. to-day: — "Every indication of hard frost to-night, and poor tides for 24 hours from noon today.

In a short time will be performed Gilbert and Sullivan's opera " Trial by Jury," by some of the leading vocalists and instrumentalists of the place. The openi will be produced under the direction of Mr. Garrj'. Last evening a most satisfactory practice was gone through. We have no doubt that when it is performed it will be one of the best amateur performances ever put before a New Plymouth audience.

The s.s. Rotorun, Captain Ncvill, from Manuknu, steamed alongside tho Breakwater at 8 o'clock this morning, and, having landed passengers and car^o, proceeded for Nelson shortly before 10 a.m.

The Str.itford Reserve, as will be seen by advertisement, is at present occupying the attention of the Borough authorities, and tenders are called for lajin<; it off into sections. It is intended to Imvo the land ready for disposal within a month or six weeks, so that lessees may start bush falling this winter.

We arc pleasei to learn that Lt.-Col. Stapp is almost recovered, and will resume bis duties this week, though against his medical adviser's orders. Major Tuke will return to Kawhia by the first opportunity.