The Evening Star. MONDAY, MAY 22, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 425, 22 May 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. MONDAY, MAY 22, 1871.

It will, we believe, afford general satisfaction to learn that the new Municipal Council of the' City of Auckland has to-day honorably recognised the services of the Chairman of the late Board of City Commissioners in conferring upon him the dignity of first Mayor of the city. Mr. Philips has hitherto been distinguished for rare diligence in attending to his public duties, and it would have been an illrequiting of his zeal and public spirit had the Municipal Councillors clone otherwise. The duties and responsibilities of the Mayor are much greater than were those of the Chairman of the City Board, and although the new Council might have made an effort at conferring on itself a fictitious and ridiculous dignity by electing to the position of first magistrate of the city a gentleman of greater wealth and social pretensions, it has sbow,n its practical good sense in preferring sound serviceable qualities, such as in his public services hitherto Mr. Philips has invariably evinced. The honorarium voted by the CounciJ to support the dignity of the mayoral office has been arranged on economical principles; but though the sum of £250 will necessitate the frugal dispensation of civic hospitalities, and but moderately recompense for the amount of. hard work required from his Worship, it doubtless foreshadows the prudence and economy that will characterise the administration of the affairs of the city. Having now obtained that which we have been accustomed to regard as a boon —the possession of municipal institutions—we can fairly hope that energy and progress will characterise the movements of our civic authorities. There is plenty to be done, and there are sufficient powers inherent in the new institution to do it effectually; and we do hope that the unpopularity that invested the City Board will perish with the official existence of that body, and that it will be our duty, as it will be our pleasure, to record from time to time with commendation the improvements in the appearance and conveniences of the city under the regime of our Municipal Council.