The Evening Star MONDAY, JULY 24, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4183, 24 July 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, JULY 24, 1876.

It is somewhat difficult to understand the reasons why certain persons are ambitious to ait in the Mayoral Chair, but far more puz zling to know why their fellow-citizens vote for them. For instance, that Mr Walter polled so few votes and Mr Woodland so many can scarcely be accounted for or any sound principle of selection, Mr Walter has served in the office and has fulfilled its duties creditably to himself. Very pop-'’ ’ there may have been a pret K * should hold the Office for the ensuing v ear to *> asfc Precedents, we steely think the reason sufficient. Mr Walter has served the City very efficiently for Several years and we do not kow any reason X hxs efforts should not have been equally recognised as those of others who hive Len twice elected m succession. He has had preside over civic affairs during very difficult periods, and to conduct puSic business requiring more than ordinary care. l arge questions of transfer of works and finance have been com chided during his term of office, and we believe that we only render to Mr Walter his due when we say that they have been satisfactorily Nor does the fact reaUy decides th °3e points, detract from the credit that he may fairly S a . 1 | n - * f they were discussed, he presided if the Council decided, he had his influence M.vn?- m ? tters ‘ Much of the work of a Mayor is done unseen by and unknown to the public. Ihe office is by no means a Imt . l il \ volvc3 the 7 sacrifice of much tune that might be otherwise luofitahly employed, and to fulfil it s duties efficiently requires mare than ordinary intelligence, business experience, and acquirements. We think these considers t-oiis arc not sufficiently estimated by the ratepayers Judging by what has been and pre.-mu tendencies, they seem to regard .he A ay ora] eyas a sort of office te be con lenod upon anyone who hapnimv to have obtained the* reputation of being a jolly goo d , lho Mayor does not appear to be regarded as the principal Executive officer of

the City. The prevailing idea seems to be that he has little to do but walk into his office, sign a few papers, chat with a deputation and preside at City Council meetings. Something of this sort was expressed by Tom the boots, respecting a number of commercial travellers who were dining at an inn in the North of England. Tom was looking at them through the window as the courses were served up and the wine went round, and at last he broke forth into sohloquay. “Happy beggars!” said Tom. “ a PPy beggars ! they eats and they drinks and they never works and when they works the boots works for them.” With more troth may something of this sort be nmu • inexperienced mayors. Their deficiencies do not come to the front; that which is outside is only th® fair ride, While that which is hidden forms the essential part of a Mayor’s duty. To elect an ill-trained, illiterate man of business is to throw additional work upon the Town Clerk; and of such a man it may be said, “Happy beggar! He talks and he acts the Mayor, and receives the pay, and when he works, the

Town Clerk works for him.” Year by year the position of Mayor is becoming more important in Dunedin. We would therefore press upon the ratepayers the importance of placing, in that office one who, by his business training and position in Society is the best calculated to till the office with credit to himself and advantage to the community. It is evident that Mr Walter has no chance of election even if he were again to offer himself or were eligible; and therefore the choice rests between Mr Reeves and Mr Woot>land. As a rule we have never thought it part of our duty to express an opinion as to the comparative merits of candidates either for the office of Mayor or Councillors. It is presumed that citizens in respectable positions are sufficiently well known to all ratepayers to justify the silence of the Press on the subject. But the position of affairs is now peculiar. Tho choice rests between two men whose business training differs very widely. Mr Reeves has had extended experience in different departments of public life, and has always shown more than ordinary aptitude in conducting them. But without in the slightest degree liking to say a word that would detract from Mr Woodland’s merits, we ask, what has he done to justify placing him in the Mayoral chair ? That he is -an estimable citizen we have no doubt; that he has a desire to use his abilities for the benefit of those who trust him and for those who do not, we haVe every belief. But from his action on various subjects connected with the City Council, we do not think his views sufficiently wide or precise to justify so high an expression of confidence in him. There are large questions looming requiring the best business and even scien tific ability we can command. Extended water supply, City drainage, City finance, nparian rights, and various other matters requiring varied knowledge, will sooner or later have to be dealt with. With few of these, if any, can Mr Woodland be expected to be acquainted; nor is he by any means exceptional in that respect. A man may know nothing of them and yet fulfil his duties as a resident in such a way as to be entitled to the respect of his fellow-citizens. But it is asking too much by one of that class that the ratepayers should place him in so responsible a position as that of Mayor. It is not the man that is to be considered, but the duties he will have to fulfil; and on this ground we have felt it a public duty to express our views on the subject.