The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1887. THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1717, 23 November 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1887. THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

As the forthcoming Mayoral election is exciting no little interest m the borough, it may perhaps not be inopportune to offer a few remarks on the subject. The candidates for the office are Councillor Harrison and Councillor Scaly, the present Mayor. The same gentlemen contested the previous election, with the result that Councillor Scaly was returned by a majority of one, haying secured ioo out of 199 votes polled on that occasion. In our remarks upon the result of that contest we wrote : — " We congratulate Mr Scaly upon his new honours and we feel sure we may also congratulate "the Borough upon having elected to the office of Chief Magistrate a gentleman who will m every sense bean honour to the posiiion. At the same time we cannot help feeling that it is about time that Councillor Harrison, who has now sat. at the Council Board, for six years and has four times contested the Mayoralty, were given a turn ©f office, and we think he should not be discouraged by the result of the poll, but that, on the contrary, he should take heart of grace and try again next year, when, m ali probability, success will at length reward his efforts." We see no reason for departing from the opinion we then expressed. We still think that it is about time that Councillor Harrison were given a turn of office . Pie has faithfully served the burgesses for upwards of seven years, and we think he is fairly entitled to the honor of being installed Chief Magistrate. This is the only guerdon attached to the performance of the thankless duties appertaining to the office of Councillor — duties which entail no inconsiderable sacrifice of time and comfort— and is the object of the legitimate ambition of all who seek municipal h^nouri, Thi? guerdon, ipour

opinion, Councillor Harrison has duly earned, for, during the long period of nsarly eight years he ha? been present at nearly every meeting of the Council. We observe that his position as a candidate this year is greatly strengthened, compared with what it was at the last election. Then'he came forward relying on his position as senior Councillor, and his services to the borough duiing the long period of more than six years. This year he comes forward m response to a requisition signed by upwards of ioo of the burgesses. Under these circumstances we shall be surprised if the honour be longer denied him.