The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1874.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1740, 31 July 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1874.

At the meeting of tie Borough Council last night the question of remuneration to 'the Mayor was discussed, notice of motion haring been given at the previous meeting. A »alary of £150 per annum was voted without opposition. It is to regretted that the Council was not inaugurated under more favorable "circumstances, for then the Councillors would have been justified in voting a more liberal allowance to the civic chief. Mayor Davies has Been foremost in every movement for the. advancement of the town. For years past lie has given his time and his experience to the public without emolument of anydescription. Oftentimes his .own affairs must have suffered through the demands made upon his time by public business, and it is only right that some recompense should now be made for the sacrifices Which Mr. Davies has made in the interests of the public. Tho Council have now before them projects for augmenting their revenue. An attempt will be made to obtain the publicans' license fees, and other sources of purely local revenue.

The foreshore when handed over should bring in a good sum. These items when, added to the assessment will make up a respectable income; and the sum voted to the Mayor will not be missed by the ratepayers—certainly not begrudged unless by a few who cavil at anything and everything not initiated by themselves. Of all our local men Mayor Davies has been, the last to thrust his own claims upon the public, and it is only right and proper that some recompense should be made for his long public service, although the vote of the Council will fall far short of the worthy Mayor's deserts. It is unfortunate that the Council have not more funds at their disposal, because deserving public men in certain positions should be indemnified against actual loss, when they are found willing to devote their energies to the public service, and do so irrespective of gain, as Mr. Davies has done for a term of years.

When this subject was mooted a week ago we suggested that councillors should be cautious in voting further salaries, on account of the financial position of the Borough. In voting the salary of Mayor at £150 per annum they have fixed upon the lowest possible scale of remuneration, unless they wanted to lower the Mayor to the position of a laborer, something below the foreman of works. It is evident that Councillors, in voting a salary at all, have keptin viewthe pasts«rvices of the present occupant of the Mayoral chair, who has been almost perpetual chairman of the Waiotahi Highway Botrd, an active member of every committee organised for advancing the interests of the town and district, and prominent in every movement of a local nature. An attempt has been made to render odious the action of Councillors in voting the Mayor's salary, but the ratepayers will see through the motives which actuate the movers in this course. If the Advertiser intended to protest against voting a salary to the Mayor, and wished to lead public opinion on the matter, why didn't they express an opinion before the vote, was passed. The dismal prospect foreshadowed by our contemporary this morning is begot of a morbid fancy. But if it were even an approach to truth, the voting of an additional £150 a year out of the Council's resources is not sufficient excuse for indulging in such a jeremiad. We have no doubt the councillors are prepared to "defend their action; and if the ratepayers approve they will show it in an unmistakeable manner at tho next election. The Council having affirmed the desirability of paying the Mayor a salary, the sum of £150 was the very least that could be voted. As to the honor which attaches to the office, it is bunkum; and, whatever councillors may have promised in their election addresses, there is not one who will refuse the salary, when he fills the office of Mayor.