The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WENESDAY, MARCH 29, 1911.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3181, 29 March 1911, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WENESDAY, MARCH 29, 1911.

By the courtesy of the Mayor we are able to publish this morning a report of his meeting with friends and supporters last night. , So far, it should be noted, it is not definitely known wli'etlicr Mr. Lysriar will be opposed for the position of chief magistrate on this occasion. That the present position of municipal affairs cannot be satisfactory to the Mayor and his party is well recognised. Nor is it having the effect of advancing the interests of the borough but rather, of retarding them. As to his Worship’s own intentions in regard to tile municipal elections, there is no j room for error. Not only has he decid- j

The Mayor and his Proposals.

ed to again offer his own services, but it is clear that his aim will be to also have returned a majority of councillors who will grant him their support. What the electors will require to settle is whether Mr. Lysnar’s programme ought to be carried out. As the Council is at present constituted, his “policy” is not generally favored. The Mayor himself does not attempt to conceal the fact. “Whilst I was away,” he said on his return'from England, “my policy has been thrown to the winds.” Those who take an interest in local municipal affairs—and they are many—will : have observed that, of late, numbers off Mr. Lysnar’s proposals have received but scant support] It now only remains to be seen whether the popularity of his “policy” has waned in the caso of the electors as with the Council. There will, we think, be many reasons for re-, gret if his Worship should have a walk-over for the Mayoralty. If. for instance, Mr. Lysnar is allowed a bloodless victory, the desirableness of continuing his policy can only be settled ifi connection with the election of

Couiicillors. Should it so happen that Ilis/Worship, after the election, finds hinffie-’f as at present without a majority on the Council, the position will bo nnfmore satisfactory than it is to-day. Tie only alternative that Mr. Lysnar vJmld then have to continuing an aflverse struggle would be to resign. Irom what can be gathered from the |eport, tire Mayor did not give his ffiews on many important municipal

■natters. It would he interesting to Know, for example, whether there is liny likelihood of a speedy termination lof the present state of affairs as regards "himself and the borough engineer. Much is already known as to Mr. Lysnar’s views on various subjects, but for the present \ve will refijain from expressing an opinion on any of them, as no doubt he will at an early date take an opportunity of publicly going further .into the many civic matters which are just now engaging attention. Turning to the Harbor Board election, it will be seen that Mr. Lysnar will also do his utmost to secure the return of a majority of members favorable to the immediate consideration of the question as to whether an outer harbor should be established. In connection with harbor matters, this will undoubtedly be the cardinal plank in his platform. Upon this occasion it is not our intention to discuss the matter of harbor improvement, except to say that we feel that it will be generally agreed that he appears to be looking upon this as upon other undertakings through rose-colored glasses. Mr. Lysnar doubtless recognises that an outer harbor, like Rome, could not he built in a day. Still one cannot help feeling that he does not appreciate the cost nor the many difficulties which must be faced before such an undertaking could become an accomplished fact. As to the figures which he recently detailed on the subject much could he written. It will for the present, however, he sufficient to say that it should not he hard to show that if the outer harbor is commenced before the inner harbor is ..further improved, the aggregate cost of harbor works for some time will he very much more considerable than he anticipates. There can, of course, be no harm in having this or any other important matter more fully discussed by the citizens, for it is desirable that the exact position in regard to them should he generally known. Everybody will now await with great interest the announcement of the names of the candidates whom Mr. Lysnar and his party desire to see returned to the Harbor Board and the Borough Council.