THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1910. THE MAYORALTY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10021, 18 April 1910, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1910. THE MAYORALTY.

The decision of" the Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollings) not to seek re-election at the expiration of his present term of office, will be received with regret by many ratepayers and burgesses generally, who have always accorded him successful support whenever he has sought municipal honours. Mr Hollings has been Mayor for the past two years, gaining the honour from Mr J. M. Coradine in 1908 after a very close contest. During the period mentioned a good deal of depression has been experienced locally, and in some respects, this, no doubt, made the worl: of municipal administration somewhat more arduous than would appear on the surface of things, Mr Hollings has, however filled the office with credit to himself, and to the advantage of the community. Despite the claims, which the practice of his profession, ha 3 made upon him the Mayor has been able to devote a

great deal of time to the affairs of tne town of which he is a loyal citizen, but that devotion has not been paid, it should be borne in mind, without much personal self-sacrifice being willingly rendered. Of course it is trite knowledge that those who seek to discharge the duties appertaining to public offices have to „make personal sacrifices, but the truth of the fact should act as an incentive to the public generally to appreciate to no small extent the services of those who closely and successfully guard the common weal. During the present Mayor's term of office various import ant matters have beer, satisfactorily dealt with, and to this remark it should be added that he leaves the municipal finances in a better condition than he found them. Seeing that Mr Hollings does not seek re-election the burgesses are to be congratulated upon the fact that that capable citizen, Mr J. M. Coradine, who is, also, well versed in municipal affairs, is prepared to fill the office of the Mayor. A Mayoral election is now most UDlikely for we do not think that there is any other citizen of Masterton who would be anxious to contest the honour with Mr Coradine. In the past Mr Coradine has given proof of his ability, sincerity and desire to promote the progress of Masterton. He will, we take it, become "the first citizen" of this town at a time when there is scope for invaluable work to be performed. It is the opinion of those who are probably most competent to form an opinion,.that the future progress of Masterton is assured, but

genuine success was never yet 1 achieved without energetic work on well-defined principles. If Masterton is going to move ahead it is the citizens cf this town who will effect the desired progress, and it is upon their own efforts that they must' # largely rely. The concrete expression of public desire cannot be effected without leadership, and who is in a better position, and who is a more suitable person, than the mayor of a town to be the leader of every movement that is for the public good? Assuming that once more Mr Coradine has the honour of . becoming Mayor of Masterton we trust that during his term of office he will be | identified with some work of great public utility. Mention has recently been made of the Masterton-Wai-pukurau light line of railway. The construction of such a line would be of enormous benefit to Masterton, and ito the settlers through that large stretch of country—from Masterton to Waipukurau. Here, perhaps, is a question to'which Mr Coradine may turn his attention, to the great advantage of the community as a whole.