The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1891.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3967, 19 November 1891, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1891.

The burgesseß of Wellington have to choose lor their coming Mayor between Mr H. D. Bell and Mr C. F. Worth. The former is, in every respect, fitted for such an office, while the latter possesses hardly a single qualification, except audacity, for the position. Wellington interests, in past years, have suffered much from an inferior class of men being elected to the Mayoral office, and now and again it has been benefitted by men of high character like Mr Duthie and Mr Johnston undertaking civic duty, and it is to be hoped that on the present occasion no mistake will be made. The return of Mr 0. F. Worth would undoubtedly lower the status of the municipality and expose the Empire City to well-merited ridicule. It is extremely fortunate that at this juncture a Wellingtonian, of conspicuous ability and of the highest i character, has offered his services, for nowa-days it is difficult to get firstclass men to come forward against a man of Mr C. F. Worth's stamp. It has been repeatedly proved in Weli lington that a really respectable person cannot offer himself for a public position without exposing himself to insult from some of the rowdier members of the party which takes delight in aMrC. F. Worth. It is, we need hardly say, unreasonable to expect well-governed municipalities in this colony, unless really high-class men are at the head of them. In various parts of New Zealand efforts are being made to fill Mayoral chairs with men of poor reputation, who will, if elected, lower the prestige of the municipalities which they represent. It is a grave misfortune that Mayors in this colony are elected by the direct vote of the burgesses instead of being chosen, as in England, by the Councils over which they preside. At Home it is exceptional to find an inferior man in a Mayoral Chair, whereas here the boot is on the other leg, and it is exceptional to find the most capable citizens elected. Here, the election of a Mayor frequently turns on political considerations, and a man is appointed, not because of his fitness for the position, but to strengthen the political party with! which he associates himself,