The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1983. The Mayoralty.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 68, 10 November 1883, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1983. The Mayoralty.

«• — j According to clause 61 of the Muni- | cipal Corporations Act, LXti. " The j burgesses of every boruugii i.h Ji, o the last Wednesday in tli.: month uNovember in each vear, elect u m;;yur for the borough, who khull enter into office on the third Wedn-sday in th« month of Decern tier next following bis election. Any person qualified to be and not incapable of b^ing a councillor ULder the provisions of this Act may be eiejted to be mayor, andiduil continue in office until his successor enters thereon." This period is now close at hand, and as the office of mayor confers on its holder rh.-j highest honor to which the citizens of a , borough cau elevate oi.e of thoir rellows, more than ordinary interest should he taken in the question as to whom such lienor shall be given. The ordinary plan adopted in older, an i consequently more experienced, boroughs, is for the burgesses to prepare a requisition to him whom th-y think will best support the dignity of tbe position, and manage the affairs of the borough with wisdom and discretion, and who will not be lifted up with too inflated an idea of his own importance, should Uie list of names on the requisition be sufficiency strong to lead the proposed candidate to believe that he has a lair chance <»f being returned in the case of a contested election, it should require some peculiarly cogent reasons to prevent bim making the attempt. In support of this view, we must say we think it unfair that the burgesses should expect a man to come forward of bis '* own freo will and accord " as a candidate. Many really good men, who would honestly and faithfully serve the burgesses, are keyit hick from a commendable modest}', while possessing ull the ability aud desire to place their time aud talents at the disposal of the ratepayers. A request to one of these supported by a number of his fellow citizens, will in many cases, overcome natural rtifiidence and brinu a good and useful means to a foremost posi tion. When a candidate has decided with his friends that he will abide a contest, let there be no drawing back, lhe best men in the world have beeu defeated, and a candidate can always form a fair judgment as to his future chuuees for election, by seeing his position on the poll on the day of his defeat. The position that curries the most danger and insecurity is that of the too popular candidate who heads t the poll by a tremendous majority. In too many cases this is the result of mere personal and sociable qualities, not always accompanied by the requisites for a proper performance of the duties involved in the position. We hav<- several gentlemen ou the list of burgesses who possess all the quulifi-t-atnms requisite for the honorable position of Mapor, und we hope.thut steps will he taken to induce two or more to come forward, lhe ratepayers should demand that the affairs of the P.orou«h be placed in the bands ot a first-class man. Large sum* of money have to be expended during the next Mayor's term of office, i.ud a considerable amount of business knowledge will be necessary in the Mavor to keep the financial position of the Borough on a sound tooting We woud as'< the ratepayers generally, to take ao active, interest in tuo matter. It deeply concerns t hem, individual l,y and collectively, and is therefore worthy ot their-closest at- , teution. From a variety ot circum- j stu ucet", Which we' need not" I'm ther allude to here, i't'^liaV not been ««h sioered necessary for the burgeuses to take very much notice oi ,13oruugh

mutters. Now, however, a radical change has takeu place in evry respect. They now gvtsp the reins ot power in their own hands. 'lliis nvikes it their duty to awaken to a true sense of their responsibilities and to exercise them discreetly for thn i furtherance of the' prosperity of the j Borough. Nothing is so likely to j tend in this direction than aving a good man at the head. We have hitherto been fortunate in the rulers ol the Borough, and let us trust that our next- Mnyor will hi- as well liked and respected as the present one.