OUR NEW MAYOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2202, 28 May 1908, Page 2

OUR NEW MAYOR.

The news which wo published in yesterday’s issue to the' effect that the Mayor had instructed Mr Jekyll, of Palmerston North, to report on the best method of securing a drainage system for Gisborne must have como as a shock to those supporters of Mr W. D. Ly6iiar who had autieipated that once in the mayo-al chair he would give evidence of thoso qualities of reasonableness and commousense which had formerly been at times sadly lacking. On tho contrary it would appear that, far from adojiting a conciliatory policy, lie purposes employing the same methods which have in the past- made him the least popular amongst the many members of other local bodies. The facts in the present situation are as follows : At last meeting of the Borough Council—tho first, by the way, that Mr Lysnar attended in his capacity as Mayor—His AVorship introduced a motion that a report ho obtained from Air Jekyll of Palmerston North upon .focal drainage matters. Although the CJouncil had by resolution passed at a previous meeting approved of the Mestayer scheme of sewerage to the extent of deciding to place it before the ratepayers, several members were willing to support the Mayor’s proposal, but others refused point blank to forsake a scheme which they had, after careful consideration, come to the conclusion was the only sound one for the Borough to undertake. Under tire circumstances a- tactful

Mayor.would havo exercised the utmost consideration towards those who differed from him in tho hopo of ultimately securing their support .On tho contrary, His AA’orship forced tho position to tho utmost of his authority and in the opinion of some wont ovon further than ho had a right to go. At one stage of tho proceedings when it .appeared that ho had only two supporters in a Council of sovon ho stated that he was not specially desirous of pressing tho matter to a vote at that mooting. Later on, howevor, ivhon Councillor Somervell indicated that ho, too, felt disposed to vote with his AVorship, tho Mayor shifted ground and insisted upon a’ vote boing taken. Councillor Pettio moved tho adjournment of the debate, but His AA’orship refused to accopt tho amendment on tho technical ground that it was too late, he having already replied to his motion. Councillor Sheridan protested most vigorously that tho Mayor’s attitude was grossly unfair, but to no purpose. The motion was then put and was carriod on tho Mayor’s casting vote. To our mind the whole business was quite unconstitutional -and certainly Councillor Sheridan’s epithet by no means exaggerated the position. Three members of tho Council were absent and tho position, therefore, is that with the support of only three councillors and by utilising two votes himself, the Mayor succeeded in pledging a Council with a normal strength of eleven to an entirely new policy. Surely, this was bad onougli, yet, in the interests of municipal peace, wo passed the matter over without comment in tho hope that, it might prove to be an isolated instance of Mayoral autocracy. Unfortunately, the sequel provides an exaggeration of tho offence that will make it extremely difficult for the deliberations of the Council to bo conducted with the good feeling and dignity that is necessary if tho -interests of the community are to bo properly served.. Recognising that the motion had been carried against the wishes of the majority, Councillor Sheridan gave notice to move at next meeting that it be rescinded., and under the circumstances it was certainly expected that no definite action would be taken in tho direction of engaging Mr Jekyll until the new resolution had been disposed of. Here again the new Mayor has surprised and disappointed his supporters by taking tho exceedingly arbitrary step of engaging Mr Jekyll to do the work referred to. Provided the Palmerston engineer promptly accepts the carrying of Councillor Sheridan’s motion would naturally bo ineffective .and the whole business looks like nothing more nor elss than a studied insult not only of 'Councillor Sheridan, but also of tho whole Council, particularly -as there was absolutely no necessity for hasty action. As wo have pointed. out previously Mr. Lysnar’s Mayoral programme contains many proposals which wo should havo been glad to have seen carried into effect, but unless ho can be persuaded to entirely change his present tactics, we very much fear that the opposition he will create by his blundering, autocratic methods will prevent any substantial progress being made.