The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1908. THE MAYORALTY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2149, 26 March 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1908. THE MAYORALTY.

The correspondent signing himself “A Working Man,” who utilises our correspondence columns this morning to ventilate his view upon the question of the Mayoralty is scarcely fair, much less generous, to Dr. AYilliams and those gentlemen who have asked him to become a candidate for the Ala yor.il ty-. Our correspondent’s ideals of what the'Alayor of -Gisborne should be are excellent enough, and correspond to some extent with those outlined in these columns a few weeks back. At that time, after referring to tile special conditions attaching to the position of chief citizen at this stage in the town’s development, we pointed out how much it was the duty of eligiblo townsmen to offer their services. Judged from this standpoint alone, Dr. AYilliams is entitled to the thanks of the community for acceding to the request of those who wished him to stand. As a gentleman and a citizen, it would be difficult to find .one who could' more fittingly represent the community at any public -function. Oil the other hand, “A AVorking Alan” touches a weak spot when lie reminds our readers that Dr. AYilliams must share the blame for the profitless record of the Borough Council during the past 12 months. On this point, however, it uould bo aviso to await the promised statement of the candidate’s views before making too sweeping a condemnation. Dr. AYilliams has now had sufficient experience oil the Council to realise the difficulties' inseparable from the various reforms that are necessary, and if lie is able to advance some practical schemes that will cope avitli these obstacles, and so satisfy some of Gisborne’s chief needs, he will have earned the right to considerable support. The suggestion that a citizen should be- debarred from the Alayoralty because he happens to -be a member of the medical profession is, of course, the height of absurdity. As a matter of fact, his ordinary avocation provides him with special facilities for personally noting from day to -day the sanitary needs of the Borough, and also -the state of the roads, two very vital matters in this town. AYe would not care to he placed in the position of suggesting that nominations for. the Mayoralty should be considered closed. The field is open to all, and there is still ample opportunity for other candidates to come forward. Cor ourselves, we should welcome the -appearance of other nominations, provided they were those of candidates whose claims were entitled to serious consideration, for there is nothing fetter than a stirring contest to arouse civic interest. Shorn of certain undesirable features, "A AVorking Man’s” letter is quite in the right direction. It 'is indubitable that our municipal affairs have been wretchedly handled for some time past, and -any candidate who seeks-Mayora-1-honors should be prepared avitli a policy that will include ail entire reconstruction of our civic department. Finally, there is ono point which wc have made before, but which cannot be too strongly emphasised. The burgesses' owe it to- themselves to select for tlreir Mayor -a- gentleman against whose- public and private record no breath of suspicion can bo raised. Tjio chief citizen should be one who is recognised as a man 0 f undoubted integrity, and whose standard of life is based oil the highest idea'!:;. Perseverance, energy, ami courage are all very desirable essentials in their way, but we should be sorry to think that the people of Gisborne would place them in the scale as in any way equivalent to that of personal character. Judged from this standpoint, the only candidate so far announced has ail enviable record, and those who have induced- Dr. AYilliams to come forward can -with tlie utmost confidence promote his candidature.