THE MAYORALTY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume I, Issue 11, 21 October 1879, Page 3

THE MAYORALTY.

The time is fast approaching when the ratepayers of the borough will be required to make their choice of a gentleman to occupy the position, and discharge the onerous duties of Mayor. This is only the second time in the borough’s history that its ratepayers have been called upon to make a choice of a local chief man, and it behoves them to bo as discriminating now as they were a year ago, when the township was but bursting through the age of tussock. When the present Mayor was elected there was much work for him looming up in the future ; and now, after a year in office, there is still as much to do, and the borough’s affairs, as much as ever, want a man at the wheel who is no novice in business, and whose knowledge of the affairs of the town is not stinted. There are very few men in Ashburton who can bo looked to to fill this important position, and those to whom we might look as possessing the required ability do not care to aspire to the office, or rather do not care to contest the position with another. In the present circumstances it is well that it is so, for thus we shall be able to retain the services of the gentleman who, during his term of office, has discharged the duties with credit to himself, and, as far as we have yet heard, with satisfaction to the ratepayers. It was not, we believe, the intention of Mr Bullock to offer himself for re-election. He had made up his mind to retire in favor of some other trusted citizen, on the fair principle that the honors of the borough, as well as patriotic labors in its service, should be distributed. But it having been shown to him that ho has the confidence of his fellow-Councillors, and the ratopapers of the borough, and that his retention of office is very widely desired, he has given his consent to place again his valued services at the disposal of his follow-towns-men.

We congratulate the ratepayers on Mr Mr Bullock’s decision. He has served them well, and has gained their confidence, and in him they find one willing to devote a considerable portion of his time, and his known ability to their service. He has already done so ; but in this be has not been singular, for there are several members of the Borough Council who have been most industrious and painstaking workers for the benefit of the community—men whose places it would he very difficult indeed to supply. Wo have hoard the names of Loth Mr Donald Williamson and Mr Hugo Friedlauder mentioned as probable candidates for the Mayoralty, but we learn that neither will stand for the position now that his Worship has consented to ho again placed in nomination. The wags of the town, however, have been making merry over the approaching election, and one or two gushing requisitions to stand have been drawn up for presentation to gentlemen whose names have been mentioned in public matters in the past. Not a few signatures have been obtained for these requisitions, too, hut they have mostly 7 been written with a mischievous twinkle in the eyes of the signatories, while the left eyes of the lookers-on performed a very meaning and expressive wink.