CHARMING CANDOR.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 411, 10 February 1877, Page 3

CHARMING CANDOR.

Mr. J. 33. Macdonald, the Mayor of the Thames Boi'ougb, is one of the most caudid of men. He made a speech to the Borough Council there the other day, reviewing his proceedings as Mayor during the past year, which contained- some statements of the frankest kind. Here ia an example:— "I was elected," said he, "on the Wednesday. Before the end of the week I was seut for to the borough bankers, aud what passed was this: ' Ton people have beeu out-running the constable with an overdraft, and I am not going to let it run further.' This was a cheerful assurance, aud the only consolation I got was a gratuitous assurance that if I liked to go to Auckland and get round the I could go. Well, I knew that, aud upon reflection I did so. I saw the boss, stated the borough case, and I think.,must have got round him effectually, as from that day to this, the overdraft has enjoyed a rapid uninterrupted process of enlargement.' 5 Ai last, the banker came down upon Mr. Macdonaid again, about the overdraft, and, this time, was not to be appeased. At length the banker declared that the cheques from the borough treasurer would be dishonored unless he (Mr. Macdonaid) would go to Wellington and get the General Government to do something for the borough. Straightway Mr. Macdonaid hied him to Wellington, and pressed Ministers to relieve the Thames borough from its overdraft. But we must allow him to tell his story his own way:—

"On the Thursday we saw Major Atkinson, and I stated .my case, and so stated it that Major Atkinson said, ' Well, Mr. Macdonald you have satisfied me that you ouglit to have what you ask, and if the Cabinet will concur, you shall have it."

Next day the Cabinet met, and, adds Mr. Macdonald" I was in attendance. About one o'clock the Major came out and told me tbe Cabinet m Council assembled had said yes. I then thanked him, and he returned to the Council, and I was leaving when another member, ib appears, left the Cabinet in Council assembled, and came running down the road hatless and breathless. Now I tell you what the hatless Cabinet Minister had to say. It was this—'Oh Macdonald. I forgot to tell you not to say a word about the money, for if it comes out, we shall have every man in the House wanting something of the same sort, and the end of it will be, I'll be d—-d if you get a single shilling.' I promised, and we parted, but only for a second, for he returned and added, ' And do not let Brodie make a fool of himself by chattering or telegraphing.' "

There is a naive simplicty about Mr. Macdonald's statement, which stamps it with all the appearance of truth. Still, it was too bad of him, after getting the overdraft set right by Ministers, thus " to let the eat out of the bag." It was ungrateful—very ungrateful indeed, and Mr. Mayor Macdonald ought to bo ashamed" of himself.—' Post.'