2j6 THE BRITISH APPROACH TO POLITICS

and one of the most famous local personages is chosen to be the
"Charter Mayor" in the first year of the Borough's life. Sir
Josiah Stamp was thus chosen by the recently created Borough of
Beckenham.

The Charter places the Government of the Borough in the

hands of a Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors. The Borough is

divided for election purposes into Wards, each returning three,

or a multiple of three, Councillors; one-third of the Councillors

retire each year, the elections being held on the ist of November.

The Councillors choose Aldermen to one-third of their number,

as for County Councils. The Mayor is1 chosen from among the

Councillors, or from outside, and begins his term of office on the

traditional date, November 9th. The antiquity of Boroughs is

illustrated by the dignity of the Mayor. Beside taking the Chair

at Council meetings, he presides over the local Bench of J.P.s

during his year of office, and continues to act as a J.P. for the

following year. He is the first citizen of the Borough and represents

it at all important ceremonies; He is expected to attend many

functions, such as Chamber of Commerce dinners, Church

Bazaars and meetings in support of local charities. To meet the

expense a great many Boroughs avail themselves of their legal

power to pay a salary. Although the Mayor's wife has no legal

duties she plays, as Mayoress, a large part in the social activities,

and if the Mayor is unmarried he will usually obtain the services

of a woman relative; when, as often happens, there is a woman

Mayor, another woman will act as Mayoress* So the prestige of

a Mayor is much greater than that of a Chairman of a District

Council, or of a County Council, despite the latter's greater

powers; and while the alleged pomposity of Mayors is a frequent

topic for comic papers, in real life the Mayor is always greeted

with respect. It is said that one of the chief advantages secured

by an Urban District on becoming a Borough, is tibat the added

dignity of Mayoral and Aldennanic offices makes citizens more

eager to secure them and perform them well. There is, of course,

the danger that persons will be attracted who care more for a