MAYORAL ELECTION.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 957, 10 November 1882, Page 3

MAYORAL ELECTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —To morrow nominations close for (he office of Mayor. Last year the contest was keen, meetings wore hold, and the candidates expressed their views on Borough- affairs. The present Mayor gained his position owing to the promise he made that if elected, ho would have the Harbor works started within three months. The year has passed, and In’s promise is still unfulfilled. Before this letter appears in print, he will again in a semi public manner have expressed his intentions re starting Harbor Works, but I am not afraid the public will be led away again to believe all he tells them. No one more than myself wishes for the river to be improved, but such schemes as the Mayor and the late proprietor of the Mail bring forward, will not advance Harbor works in the slightest degree. I consider the members of the Harbor Board went the right way t() work by raising the tonnage dues which would enable them next year to ask the Government to amend the Act relating to borrowing, so that an additional £IO,OOO could be borrowed, the increased dues, bringing in sufficient revenue to pay’ the extra interest. I understood the Mayor to say at the late meeting of townspeople re Harbor matters, that he was getting plans prepared which would take a certain time to complete, that if the meeting was adjourned he would bring forward his proposals in three weeks: It now appears according to the Wanganui Chronicle that he does not intend to meddle with the plan of proposed works, but only to bring forward a proposal to raise money 7. If rumour is correct his proposals will not meet with much support. The fact is the Mayoral election is coining off, and the present Mayor wants an election cry of harbor works started to assist him in.holding office for another year. The salary of £IOO is no doubt very useful, but it strikes me we arc paying rather high for the privileges of having Mr Sherwood as Mayor. It is well known that he does not work with the majority 7 of the conn? cillors, and it is a question for the ratepayers to consider if they cannot obtain the services of some gentleman who would he willing to give his services for the honour attached to the office. If I remember aright the Councillor who stood highest on the poll at the first election gave a promise that he would come forward this year but not seeing any address from him, I am in doubt if he intends to come forward. I trust he will for I feel certain that he would consider the honor sufficient without taking £IOO of the Borough revenue, which would assist to make one of the streets. I also fail to see what the present Mayor lias done for the salary 7 . It has taken him twelve months to arrange by-laws for a pound, and his main object seems to be a trip to Wellington to raise the Borough Loan. If the ratepayers are wise they will lake a little more interest in Borough affairs, or they will find, when too late, that they have large rates to pay for interest on borrowed money.—l am, &c,, Burgess.