THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3156, 31 March 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1879.

The cost of the administration of local affairs by our governing bodies has always been a favorite subject for discussion. At times of elections candidates have usually been asked if they were in favor of reducing the cost of administration—always considered by the questioners to be far too much for the services rendered—and have as frequently stated their willingness to introduce reforms and a reduction of salaries and allowances., It is at all times a very easy matter to find fault; but,pointing out a better course, and stating where the,,reforms and reductions are to be made is a very difficult task. His Worship the Mayor, when a candidate for the Mayoralty, in reply to a question from Mr Howe, stated that he was in favor of cutting down the expense of the administration of Borough affairs, if it were proved that the same could be done without the interests of the municipality being neglected. We notice that at the last meeting of the Council he called the attention of the members to a statement he had had prepared by the Town Clerk, showing the amount paid by the Borough of Thames in salaries and allowances. The debate upon the subject will take place after the next meeting of the Council. There is now an opportunity given for a full enquiry into the question of expenses, and we trust that if reductions can be made they will, in the face of the present depression and probable decrease in the revenue far the municipality. The question of the salary to the Mayor. should now be settled, and not at the timo of election. We have before stated that

although the practice of voting a certain j sum yearly for the Mayor is carried out in nearly every borough in the Colony,, yet if good men, and qualified for the position, can be found willing'to undertake the duties, and without an allowance, the amount should be saved to the ratepayers. However, there is a difficulty in such communities as the Thames in finding gentlemen possessed of sufficient worldly means to be independent of an allowance, and at the same time able and willing to discharge the duties of Mayor of a borough. The report, which will no doubt be furnished by the Council, will for ever set the question at rest whether too much money is spent in the administration of Borough affairs, and will be of service in showing to the ratepayers how the several sums are expended, and the services rendered for the same.