ADVICE TO A MAYOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1574, 3 October 1905, Page 2

ADVICE TO A MAYOR.

In view of tbe little stir that was caused at the last meeting of the Borough Oounoil, the following report in the Times of an an oeourrenoe at Masterton has a speoial interest:—

The Mayor was explaining to a majority of the Oounoil the absurdity of the views they held on the subject under disousßion, when there came a sharp rap at tbe door. In response to the Mayor’s “Come in,” a lady stepped into the room, and without any ceremony whatever demanded to know why she had to pay taxes and could not get done what was promised in return? The explanatory information was given that five years ago Bhe had given land for a road in a oertain part of the town on condition that tbe Counoil made the jroad. Tbe Council bad not yet fulfilled their part

of the agreement. The Mayor explained that he was . not responsible for the delay, but gave an assurance that he would look personally into the matter.

Visitor (disappointedly): I hope yon will do more than look into it, I invite you all to inspect the road oa a wet day. It’s little better than a quagmire. Tbe Mayor,who is not particularly partial to making inspections on foot, wbb nonplussed for a moment,but a happy thought occurred to him : “ There is a sum on the loan schedule for the work,” he said. “ Vote for the loau, and if it is carried the street will be made.”

The lady had apparently lost all faith in City Fathers generally, for she promptly replied : “If tbe loan is carried you won’t do the work I ’’

The Mayor: Why, we would bo put in gaol if we didn’t. If yon always wont to gaol for what you don’t do, you would be there protty often. Why do we pay rates for if we get no roads ?

The Mayor: To help the poor people. And if it helped the poor people I would not miud, but I don’t think' anyone is helped much. At aoyrate, if the Counoil does not do something towards fulfilling their agreement, I will try and “ induce ” (with emphasis) them to do so. CrEwington: Hearl Hear!

Continuing, the lady remarked that she knew it was not Mr Renall who was to blame.

Tho Mayor: lam not responsible for what these councillors do. It’s a job to keep them in order at all eometimes. Or Eton: The Mayor, Madam, is as much to blame as we aro.

But there was a different Mayor in office when the Council made tbe agreement. The Mayor: Yes, I know ; but he only bad one vote, and if tbe counoillors wore unruly (as they are sometimes) he could not do anything. And do you imply that these councillors are unruly ? Good-night!

And the discussion which occurred “ round tho table ” after the visitor had left is perhaps best considered as “ia committee,”