THE MAYORALTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 245, 16 April 1912, Page 4

THE MAYORALTY.

At last New Plymouth is to have at j contest for the Mayoralty. For many I years interest in civic affairs has been at an exceedingly low ebb in the town, and it has been with difficulty that men have been found even willing enough to allow themselves to be nominated for <seats on the Council. Even the Mayoral position, the highest in the gift of the town, has at times gone almost a-beg-ging. It is gratifying, therefore, to know that this dry-rot is at last to give way to a keener interest in the affairs of the municipality, and we only hope that it will prove the opening of a new chapter in the history of the town. The contest will, from appearances at the mwnent, lie between the present Mayor and Mr. J. S. S. Medley, J.P. Mr. Geo. Browne was appointed to the Mayoralchair on the decease of its muchlamented occupant, Mr. G. Tisch. Mr. Browne's close acquaintance with the practical part of the working of the borough's undertakings and affairs has been of considerable service to him, and of advantage to the town. When he took up office he was confronted with a fairly substantia! overdraft, and very little money in the exchequer, but by keeping a close eye on things and seeing that for every pound spent the ratepayers got a pound in value, and also through the revenue proving greater' than estimated, he was able to show a satisfactory position at the close of the financial year. It will also be conceded that the general maintenance work of the borough was never better performed than during the past year. For this, as well as for his other valuable work, such as that in connection with the merging of the suburbs with the borough, he is entitled to the best thanks of the citizens. He has, admittedly, devoted the whole of his time to a personal oversight of civic matters, but, like many other enthusiasts, including not a few Ministers of the Crown, he has given unnecessary attention to a vast amount of detail work and supervision that might quite safely and very properly have been left to his subordinates. It is to his credit that he has done this at his own inconvenience and pecuniary loss, and if l,e were to consult his personal interests alone he would be better out off office. In placing his citizenship first he has been over-painstaking in his administration of routine. Still, the question of his re-election or otherwise is one that rests with the burgesses, and in deciding whether he"is a suitable person to continue in the occupancy of the Mayoral chair or not they will not, in weighing any s i or£ .

comings he may have, neglect to give him credit for his enthusiasm. The new aspirant for Mayoral honors is a gentleman who enjoys the esteem and confidence of a wide circle. He knows the run of the municipal ropes, for he was a member of the Council some years ago. He has ability, tact and personality, and has no axe to grind. The' burgesses could go further and fare worse than by appointing Mr. Medley as their chief magistrate. Whatever the merits or demerits of the respective candidates may be, it is distinctly gratifying that the position is not to go by default. An election quickens interest in municipal affairs, and no one will deny that it is about time some life was put into local politics.