THE REVELATIONS OF THE MAYOR OF THAMES.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 707, 28 December 1876, Page 2

THE REVELATIONS OF THE MAYOR OF THAMES.

Ox Thursday night Mr J E Macdonal I addressed a mteting in regard to fcia proceeding! -as M,yor during the pakfc year. Some of bis stattmonts were exceedingly frank. We give a few :— "I was elected, I think, on the Wednesday. Before the end of the week I was lent for to the borough banker*, and what passed wm thu : • You people have been outrunning the con ■table, and) I am not going te let it go further.' This was a cheerful assurance, and the only consolation I could get was a gratuitous assurance that, if I Jiked to go to Auckland and get round the boss 1 could go. Well, 1 know that, and upon reflection I did so. 1 kmt the boss, stated the borough cm©, anft I think) -must have got round him effectually, as trom that d»y to this, the-«verdraft, km enjoyed a rapid and uninterrupted process ot enlargement 1 was again tent for by the bank, and met with 'Well, this overdraft -keep* increasing.' I admitted it irreverently, saying, 'I have done all 1 can to keep tbe boggers from spending,- but th#ywSll go on.' (Laughter.) Mr Murray .then »iaid ' There is only one thing for it, you must go down to vVelliqgtou and get something gdone.' This whs the (first I heard of the trip. 1 thought anfd talked it over, and then returned and declined for reaions thus expressed : — ' You say it would take me a month or two £ cannot afford the time. You say it I would co.t a £100 or^E2oo~l cau't afford ihe money out ot my owu pocket, and if tne borough pays there will be some ruffians blackguarding me in the newspapers; and another tiling if, Ido not tumk 1 oould do any good if I went, To all this Mr Murray replied, 'As to your time, you have a right to judge for yourself about that. As- to your success 3ou can only do your best. As toth* expense, the borough owes us £6000 ; if you go you can have all the money you want, while, unless you say you will go, the very next borough cheque that comes in will be refused payment ; while if you go, the acconnt shall be kept all right till you return, at all events.' Thai press td, what oould I do but go ? and go I did,' but never undertook any job with greater reluctance." Having been thus outspoken in regard to his transactions with Ihe bank, Mr Macdonald cannot do lest than give «s a full-view of how Cabinet Ministers do business. Mr Macdonald pressed upon Ministers that they should relieve the Borough and the Waiotahi Board from their overdrafts. But we must allow him to tell his story his owft waj :— " On the Tuesday we say Major Atkinson and I stated my case, and so stated it, that Major Atkuuon said, 'Well, Mr Macdonald, you have satisfied me that you ■ ought to hare what you ask, and, if the Cabinet will conour, you shall have it.' 1 expressed my thanks, and added that I had been three week, come tomorrow, tbat it -was <g«ttiog

OS » s for mo being ■« long neglectful of my busn-", that thero was a boat to leave ou th« following d.y, and if he could only «et this Council to lay It • or 'No' in time for mo to get »way 1 thould be moit grateful. (Cheers.) I .»s in cloie attendance next day. »nd ,boit one o'clock the Major c»me out and told me the Cabinet in Council assembled had sa.d "y eB «" l thon ta * nked binu « * nd he returned to tbc Council, and I wm 1- aTing when another member, it appears lett the Cabinet in Council assembled, and came running flown the road hatlesa .nd breatble". (Cheers.) Now, I hive be. n twitted and blamed (anonymomly of coumo) with iecrecy about thia matter. Now I will tell yon what the hatless Cabinet Miniattr had to wy. It was iuit thia, 'Oh! Macdonald, I forgot to tell you not to tay a word »bont the money, for if it comes out wo ihall have every man in the House wanting Borne. thiDK of the iame «ort, «nd tho end of it will b* •Ibe d dif you R et a shilling.' (Cheers and langbtf-r.) I promhed, and we parted, but only for » Second, for be returned, and added And donotletßrodie make a fool of himself by chattering or telegraphing.