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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3166, 12 April 1879, Page 2

At last a Council has been found prepared to resolve that the usual allowance to the Mayor of the Borough shall not be paid next year. The remarks of Councillor Mennio show more common sense and an attention to the circumstances of the place, than those uttered by some other members of the Council. We *aid, in an article a few days ago, that "if good men, and qualified for the position, can be found willing to undertake the duties without the allowance, the amount should be saved to the ratepayers. However, there is a difficulty in such communities as the Thames in finding gentlemen possessed cf sufficient worldly means to be independent of an allowance, and at the same time able and willing to discharge the duties of Mayor of the Borough." This is the view taken by Cr Mennie, and with all respect to the citizens of ibis important Municipality, a diffioul ty will be found in inducing a gentleman who is fit for the position, and possessed of sufficient means, to even accept the position, not to mention the probability of having to fight a contest with an aspirant for ; the office. Cr Graham's remark that the salary should be abolished, until the place looked up when a good sum could be voted for the purpose, is looking at the question from another point of view from that taken by the mover and seconder of the resolution, that only travelling and other expenses be allowed to the Mayor for the next term. Taking into consideration the circumstances of the municipality and bearing in mind the duties expected from the Mayor for the time being, we cannot approve of the steps taken by Council, and fail to see that the interests of the ratepayers are being conserved thereby.