The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1882. BOROUGH MATTERS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 656, 27 October 1882, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1882. BOROUGH MATTERS.

-)fr- . [There arc wide differences of opinion Ls to the duties of B n-ousjh Councillors. L)ur representatives iv the civic seats of Lonor, were iilimst; u.iiuiuimi ia the Ilea that His Worship hid bieu al urisc Ijuilty of a weakness, in acceding to tho lotition of souij Imryustio'rf, for thj in tin ■arts oi' the town to be patrol led for ;i light or two after the re eipt of the ■ireatening letter by Mr Wuoekerle. His Worship, tully coiuurre I in Kis, crying " Men cidpa" all ■s oxplaaiition, and I'-iying down the, B a.?, str.uigo doctrine , , tint e:cy miui Hould protect his o.m pr aid Hat it wj,s not th; duty of t io Uouncil H look after tho citi/eas hdi t;iut> H (he police. ■ No»v, we quite uadorstand that 2dr Hiatus—tii.iu < horn, v tnoretlioroug.ily Hnsoiuntious imm does not, we believe. Hist—thinks that there should not be Bigut vvatehman kept all the year round

sit the Borough's expense,for, as ho says, it would take a very largo amount of the rates to support such a luxury, anil the money sh'vold hr> snoil*" i>) im roving I'ie toivn ; but in tinvs of panic or i,'oui>lt\ we confess we think that the huge sum wasted, which we understand amounts to the vast total of 30s, was very well spent indeed, if it enabled a number of easily frighten, d women ami e,liiH>ea to snatch a few hours repose.

What disappointed us, however, was, that some measure was not proposed to ascertain the general (Wling of th e burgesse , as to whether any steps «lioul I be taken to enable some one jjto bo on 111" look-out without the rates being touched. It would hay < been ea-y to liml out by visiting the various siorebiepots and others in the princioal streets, how many were willing to contribute a small sum weekly to keep a man to walk through the town after the police are off the beat. Again, ,they might have written to the Government, asking that an additional policeman might be sent down to aid in the nid.t duty. However, we suppose they acted for the best, for we are sure they try to do what they think right for the town.

Anothor important municipal matter is the coming election of M:vyor. In a week or two the custoiuar} notice will appear, and the burgesses be called upon to make their election. We ought to remember this is no trifling matter, f< »r the whole Council depends to a great extent on its chairman. If he shows a good example, and insists on orderly discussion, he is sure to be able to make the duties of his Councillors pleasant mid productive. Like the man at the rudder of a vessel in a rather rouu'h sea, he can make good weather of it if he watches his helm, or unusual confusion and danger if he is always letting her broach to

Wo have before pointed out the very very gr at difficulty there is, in finding men who have leisure, ability, and funds, to bear such an arduous office, in a small community like this ; but we must do our best. In other places there has been a stir regarding this question for months past, but here we have as yet made no sign of interest. It is quite time for us to look about, and see who is to succeed the worthy gentleman who now fills tho Mayoral chair.