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Waikato Times, Volume 2537, Issue XXXI, 13 October 1888, Page 2

It is not often we enter in these columns upon tlie discussion of local politics meaning by this, those parish questions which occupy the attention of our self-governing corporations. As a rule, the issues in such matters are of no great importance, and are confined within grooves so narrow that to lift them into the broad field of public debate gives rise to ill-feeling and acrimonious personalities. It is generally wisest to leave the settlement of such topics in the hands of local politicians and ratepayers themselves, the correspondence columns of this journal beiug open to all sides without partiality. In reality, the whole duty of local administration resolves itself into the question of finance; there is very little of serious consequence, beyond that, and so long as the expenditure of the ratepayers' money or the credit of tlie Borough are conserved ana kept within legitimate bounds, there is not much reason for our interference. The difference between the Big Endians and the Little Endians can be safely left to the champions of the opposite sides for solution; the fate of the colony is not involved in them. When a point arises in which the principle attending the use or misuse of funds is concerned, aud there is a strong current of public feeling aroused, it becomes necessary for us to take cognisance of it. Such a case presents itself at the present time. At the last meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council a proposal was made to make a suitable presentation to the wife of the occupant of the Mayoral chair as a recognition of the fortuitous circumstance that she has presented her lord with a sou during his brief term of office. Councillors Knox and von Stunner, were the originators of this idea, because, as it is said, it is an ancient custom, and therefore, an unwritten lav, to do such honor to chief magistrates, for the time-being, 011 happy occasions of the kind. A committee was appointed to carry the intention into effect, and we understand it is seriously proposed to vote a sum of money out of the Borough funds for the purpose of obtaining a toy silver cradle to present to Mrs C'oates. This :is but an extremely silly and childish imitation of an occasional custom with some of the wealthy corporations in the Old Country, who, 011 similar occurrences, have made such gifts to tlie Mayoresses who have added to the olive branches of their lords whilst in office. But these gifts are in every sense su.itttljle, they are ample receptacles for the precious babes, and cost two or three hundred guineas. Neither are the municipal funds used foe the purpose, but the cost of the presents is defrayed out of the private purses of tue aldermen and councillors. There is about as much resemblance to the distinguished English custom in the absurdity of offering a miniature article tluu will cost about twenty pounds, and which must bo kept undrr a glass ease for show, as a boiled leg of mutton with caper sauce has to a fashionable soirm. Considering the late correspondence in this journal on the subject of finance aud retrenchment in the Borough expenditure, and also the expressly declared policy of the Mayor, at the time he was elected to oflice, a couple of months ago, that of the proposal to vote public money for any such purpose is most inconsistent, to say the least of it. We believe with many ratepayers who have expressed their opinions to us that, Mr C'oates' own good sense and fe:;ling are opposed to the idea, and that he will not sanction it. We looked at the proposal, at firsc, as

conceived in a jocular spirit, but it is evidently intended to bring the Mayor's pronounced view 3 on economy into disrepute. The money proposed to be expended in this toy could be better utilised in clearing tho Borough of gorse, and giving employment to men who have been in desperate straits for the wherewithal to provide their families with the necessaries of life. Should the intention be carried out, and tho ratepayers' money used in so doing, it is our opinion, that tho AuditorGeneral will not allow the expenditure.