THE INSTALLATION OF MAYOR.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5498, 18 December 1884, Page 2

THE INSTALLATION OF MAYOR.

Installations of Mayors, Chairmen, &c. are generally looked on as occasions on which a little speech-making may be indulged in, if only for th« purpose of erpressing opinions on the merits of the incoming and outgoing occupants of the position. The installation of Mayor is generally an event wh eh attracts but little atttention in Wanganui, and therefore the attendance yesterday at this event was all the more satisfactory, as showing the feeliDg of the public towards Mr Spurdle. The speeches made were not long, but they tended to show that Mr Spurdle possesses the confidence of the members of the Council, and that the outgoing Mayor (Mr Carson) has earned their respect. The speech of Mr Spurdle was not too long, bat , the remarks he made gave evidence that he appreciated the honor bestowed on him, and felt that^he majority by which he was returned was such* as would give him every confidence in performing the duties of his office. He felt sure too that the Councillors would assist him by co-operating with him in works for the benefit of the town. His promise that tbe Borough as a whole would' have Attention, is a step in, the right direction, 'for while as a representative for Cook's I Ward he was' expected, and rightly, so,, !to attend more particularly to the wants of that Ward ; it is not expected that as Mayor he will show any partiality in' the expending of public money. Economy, it. is acknowledged on all Biden, is a very necessary principle to practise in the Borongh, as 1 in private matters, the policy of the Council lately has been in that direction, and the Mayor, in saying that Councillors' would no doubt take an interest in seeing that the next year's estimates were framed in an, economical spirit, has given evidence of a desire to confine exp ;nditure within reasonable limits. The harmonious working. of public bodies is always a thing to be desired, and we have no doubt but that the Borough Council will prove a " happy family " during the next twelve months, The Mayor is well acquainted with the routine of the Council work,' having sat at the table for some years, and he is not likely to neglect the. more onerous duties of his new position, having given abundant proofs of his willingness to give a large portion of his" time to public duties in the past. We feel convinced that Mr Spurdle will fully realise the expectations formed of him by his friends and supporters, and as he said yesterday, it will not be his fault if, at the end of his term' of office, the, confidence reposed in him has not been deserved. With regard to the loutgoing Mayor, the same unanimity of opinion was expressed by Councillors as to his ability and worth, and he. seems to have earned the respect and thanks* of all sections of the community for the manner in which he had fulfilled the duties attaching to the office for the last three years. There was one portion of his letter to the new Mayor, which is deserving of more than a passingword — that is, the portion referring to the Borough officials, and the manner in which they had i always attended to their duties while he, was in office. Wanganui ought certainly to congratulate itself- on having such worthy officers as its Foreman of Works, Town Clerk, and Collector. The former was recently alluded to by Mr NotmftD, at " the banquet, as the "gentleman with the modest title of foreman of Works," though he is. really the Borough Engineer, We trust that the good feeling at present existing between the members ofthe. Council and their officers' may continue, and that the requirements of the Borough will continue to receive oareful consideration at their hands.