Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ GAZETTE. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD Thursday, September 27, 1900

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 510, 27 September 1900, Page 10

Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ GAZETTE. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD Thursday, September 27, 1900

THE AUCKLAND MAYORALTY-

The citizens of Auckland have, during the past few days, experienced a few surprises in nection with the appointment

of the next head of the municipality. When it was definitely announced that Mr David Goldie would not seek re-election, Mr Alfred Kidd was . asked by a few friends whether he would stand if a requisition from the citizens was preaente to him. Mr Kidd consented after a letter from Mr J. H. Upton, declining to stand, had appeared in print. The latter presently changed his mind, and a requisition was signed by his friends and supporters. Hearing of this, Mr Kidd at once withdrew from the contest, and another Richm md—in the person of Mr James Stichbury—appeared upon the field. Now we know that after all, Mr Upton will not continue the election, and that he has withdrawn from the contest. He decided not to stand when the requisition was presented to him at the Harbour Board Offices on Wednesday. that being so, we think the way for the citizens lies clear. Their duty is to place Mr Kidd in the civic chair without a dissentient voice. In making thie statement we take it for granted that neither Mr Stichbury or any other candidate would oppose Mr Kidd if his standing were absolutely certain. Let us see what Mr Kidd has done for the City of Auckland, For sixteen years he has been a hard working member of the City Council, and for ten years he has been a member of the Streets and Waterworks Committees. If ever a man did his level best to further everything that tended to the improvement of the city, and the comfort of its inhabitants, then Councillor Kidd is the man. Betterment has been his watchword, and none can say that his efforts have been unsuccessful.

During the pericd when Mr Peter Dignan was Mayor, Mr Kidd was frequently called upon to undertake the duties of the chief civic dignity, and on the many occasions when Mayor Goldie has been obliged to forsake the cares of office through ill-health, Mr Kidd has filled the position of Acting-Mayor with honour to Auckland and credit to himself. On the ground of faithful service in the past Mr Kidd s claims are paramount. On the question of seniority we believe he’ is entitled to the Mayoralty, and on the score of fitness, why, we have no better man. There are trying times for the next Mayor of Auckland. We must have a Mayor possessing ability, common-sense, prudence tact, and popularity. These qualifications are Mr Kidd’s, and he will require them all during his period of office. The citizens will need the direction and help of such a man during the next year or so, for what with Electric Tramways, the North Island Railway, the Abattoirs’ Inspc3tion, the Water Supply, the Drainage and other measures of an improving nature, we are going to have a busy time. Then there is the visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of York in prospective. Auckland knows, and her visitors know, what Mr Kidd can do in the way of entertainment, so that part of the Mayoral duty will be in safe hands. We have noted with regret that possible exception might be taken to Mr Kidd’s appointment on the ground that he is a publican. Such an exception is extremely unworthy, and hardly Requires consideration. Publicans have been Lord Mayors of London, they have held the position of Mayor all over Great Britain, in Australia, and in New Zealand before this, so there will be no establishment of precedent if Mr Kidd fills the Mayoral chair. The world is con•tantlyjtold that all men are equal in New Zeal md, but there are times when this democratic shibboleth is shorn of all its false glamour. We have a perfect example of New Zealand equality and fraternity when we are warned that a publican must not be a Mayor, and though there is no doubt that such an objection meets with the disapproval of the community, it is to be regretted that it was ever raised, Mr Kidd’s efforts on behalf of Auckland are so well-known that his candidature shonld have been received with unanimous acclamation from the first. He will not take part in a contest for the position, nor should he be required to do so. Elect him Mayor of Auckland with one mind and one voice, and the city will be worthily served, and his term of- office will be remembered as a period of peace, prosperity, and improvement.