The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1881.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 956, 22 December 1881, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1881.

Mr A, Bish has the honor to be the fifth Mayor of Masterton, and we have not the slightest doubt that he will sustain the favorable reputation which his predecessors secured for the office, As yet no citizen who has occupied the civic throne for a twelve month has sought re-election, and it may be inferred from this that the hard work, incidental to the position, more than compensates for the honor of it. Perhaps Mr Bish has a fairer opportunity of making his term of office memorable than any of those gentlemen who have preceded him. On Mr R. 6. Williams' shoulders fell the burthen of starting the Municipality, and his work was very much of a preparatory character, and consisted in a great measure of overcoming preliminary difficulties, He, however, was such an energetic adpiinistrator, that his successor, Mr McGregor, found that it was not desirable to launch out much during his term of office, M l ' McGregor had at that time some very difficult men in the Council to deal with, and it was to his credit he was able to preserve order and bring every department of the Council work into a state of thorough efficiency. MiFeist came with the bad times and during his reign it was impossible to do more than carry on with as little sail as possible. Then came Mr RbnAW" who has contented himself with presiding at the Council table and looking after the expenditure of the Council funds on the Borough roads, There is a feeling now, however, among ratepayers that times are getting letter and that the. Borough Council may, without any great risk, take a. step in advance. We hope, therefore, to see the yearof the fifth Mayorof Masterton made memorable by the introduction of some large undertaking which will give a lift to the town, and wo believe that there is a general consensus of opinion that the enterprise which should have a preference is gas. Last evening Mr Bish's health was drunk enthusiastically beneath the light of kerosene lamps. This time twelve months, when the parting bumper is given to him, we tjusfc the illumination on that

occasion will be pure and unadulterated Masterton gfts. We congratulate Mr Bisii on the position he litis gained for himself, mid wc congratulute ■ tuo ■ ratepayers on the spirit .with _ which Mr Bish is entering upon his new duties. We have faith in the coming year being a red letter one in the Borough annals, and the Mayor elect will have our hearty support in making it honorable to himself and serviceable to the town.