The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, NOV. 17, 1888. The Mayoralty

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 69, 17 November 1888, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, NOV. 17, 1888. The Mayoralty

It is worthy of note that although the Borough has been singularly fortunate in the gentlemen who have filled the Mayoral chair since Feilding became a municipality, there has only been one contest for the office. Several of the gentlemen have held the position twice successively, and in each case to the entire satisfaction of the burgesses. Without undue praise we may state that, in the opinion of many, both in the Borough and out of it, Feildiug has been better served in this connection than any other Borough in the colony. The nominations which were made to-day show that no matter which of the candidates is returned, the burgesses will have, as chief of the Borough Council, one who will deserve their confidence, and receive the respect of the other members of the Council. As to the merits of the two candidates, we have nothing to say but whut is favorable, although we espouse the cause of Dr Monckton for the following reasons : — After a burgess has had the honor of presiding as Mayjr for two years in Bucoesaiun, we think he should give place to some other in order that each deuurviug burgess may, in his turn, enjoy the distinction, provided always that he is capable of fulfilling the duties of the position with credit to himself and honor to his fellow burgesses. We wish it to be distinctly understood that, in the face of the requisition presented to him, signed by so many of our best and most influential citizens, Mr Goodbehkre had no option left him in the matter, for had he declined the prayer of the signatories to the document, he would have been guilty of an act of discourtesy entiraly inconsistent with his past career. The requisition may be taken as a high testimony to the conbi^-tent and able manner in which he has titled in his pull ccapacityduringthe past two years There is, however, something more to be said about that requisition. It was an expression— we take it — of sympathy with Mr Goodbehere under what many considered an injustice ; or, to put it mildly, a slight, in the fact that a requisition had been prepared, and signed, to Dr Monckton, without the promoters having previously consulted the sitting Mayor, and asked him whether he desired a third year of office. While we commend the good feeling exhibited, we must express the opinion that under the circumstances there was no necessity for it. The promoters of the requisition to Dr Monckton, and many of those who signed it, had an idea that Mr Goodbehebe had akeady done good service to the Borough, and it would be well to give him rest for a year, when he might again be invited to resume the office. We have very little to say of the candidature of Dr Monckton, further than that we believe he ie in every way qualified to make an efficient and progressive Mayor. He is experienced in the conduct of public affairs, having been » member of the Provincial Coui cil in a Southern province, and held other public executive positions. His interests are entirely locked up in Feilding where he holds considerable property, and he is perfectly alive to the fact that assisting in the prosperity of the Borough, he is advancing his own, as well as the interests of his fellow burgesses. It may appear hard to those who esteem Mr Goodbehkbe for his many excellent qualities, both as a private gentleman and a public servant, to vote against him ; but absolute necessity demands that the Mayoral chair should be a prize not too often awarded to the same individual, but should be open for all who have the right to occupy it in their turn, possessing at the same time the necessary qualifications.