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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 994, 3 November 1881, Page 2

The choice of a Town Clerk to the Borough Council of Gisborne «n Tuesday evening last was a judicious one, although it must not be inferred that a slight is suggested towards the unsuccessful candidates. We probably should have written the same, if either of the other gentlemen had been elected ; but, as they have not received that honor—for it is an honor, and a conspicuous one if its holder make it one—we shall sympathise with them, while we extend our congratulations to the incoming man. In making these remarks we may be permitted to express a hope that Mr. Bourke will ■“ lay himself out,” as the phrase goes, towards erecting the position of Town Clerk to one of permanency in its duration, and dignified in its importance. No public functionary, can think too highly of his office, nor too lowly of himself, lotting the recollection ever be green that as the office dignifies the man and not the man the office, it is essential that he should maintain the attributes and functions of that office in an unsullied state. There is no subordinate position in life more honorable than that of a chief departmental official in a Civic Corporation. Being a non-political officer, his appointment stands during good behaviour, through all the changes which annually operate upon the Mayor and Councillors.. He becomes, in fact, an embodiment and concentration of the wisdom of the Corporation itself. It is he who advises and instructs the Councillors — they administer, but he controls their administration. It is to him they look for counsel and advice upon all matters affecting Corporation laws and matters ; and it is in him the Burgesses repose the greatest confidence for the well-being and status of the Municipality. We regret that nothing was said, on Tuesday night, about augmenting the .emolument of the office, nor of granting clerical assistance. The question of economy can be no excuse for this. No public monej' can be better expended than in making good provision for the employment of competent officials; and when we look round the town, and see how the Ratepayers' money is being literally carted from one hole to another ; while the departmental affairs are in a disgracefully disorganised state—when we see how the prodigal son revels abroad and starves at home—it decides the previ-ously-entertained opinion that something requires a remedy, and that remedy will not be found in the false economy, generally indulged in by'the underpayment of those on whose shoulders rests so great responsibi- • lities.

Thebe is One thing, however, in connection with the recent election that should not be passed over without remark, and that is the extremely illadvised step taken by the Council in making temporary arrangement for the performance of the Town Clerk’s duties during an interregnum which through the illness of M r . Sheriff’ appears..to be unavoidable. The Council has elected Mr. Bourke, but he is not installed ; he is not responsible for anything, nor amenable to anyone and yet he is entrusted with the duty of employing, or recommending for’ employment, a locum tenens (at any rate that is what one Councillor called him) to perform the duties for the next fortnight, which neither the present Town Clerk, nor the Town Clerk elect are- able to undertake themselves. This is a most anomalous state of things,

and tend largely to depreciate the value of the election. Here we find a gentleman elected to a most important official post, unable to comply with the exigencies of his position — granted ab initio a fortnight’s grace, without pay, and absolutely without any official locus standi — but charged with the duty of filling up the gap in the meantime. Surely the straining of Municipal power could not go much j further. From the remarks made by i His Worship and some of the Councillors on Tuesday evening, the affairs connected with the Town Clerk appear to be in such an unsatisfactory state as to justify the enforcement of the condition, suggested at the time, that if Mr. Boubke could not conimence bis duties at once, the Council should proceed to the election of one of the candidates who could. By not doing so the next fortnight will be, practically, lost time ; and we do not see how any one can jump into the office, and go on straight without Mr. -Sherriff’s assistance, and then it will take another fortnight’ to induct Mr. Boubke. - As we view the matter, it will'be a most injudicious course for any one to take charge of the books and documents, in their present imperfect states they cannot be audited on account of that imperfectness ; and it is not likely that the person employed will consent to find sureties for a fortnight’s work. Councillors • appear to have let their consideration for the infirmities of the (late) Town Clerk override their judgment, and manifest duty ; they have, through a mistaken kindness, and misplaced leniency towards the most culpable neglect, contributed. to the present muddle, and exceptionally scandalous state of affairs ; and their proceedings at the recent election have not helped them cut of it.

In the decision of so important a matter, as the election of a Town Clerk, it would have been fitting for His Worship the Mayor to -have taken a more active part than he did. It is to be regretted that he abstained from voting ; indeed we think he manifestly did wrong in so doing, not that the result of the election is affected thereby; but, considering that these two executive officers are thrown together so much during the'year, it would, probably, lend an additional importance to, and confidence in the elected candidate if he had the support and influence of the Chief Magistrate of the Borough. Doubtless, His Worship abstained'frOm the best intention, but we think it was a mistake.