THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 562, 2 December 1881, Page 2

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

The polling for the Mayoral election took place on Wednesday. That considerable interest was shown in the result may be gathered from tiio fact that out of a possible 80 votes no less than 73 were recorded. From an early hour tho supporters of the two candidates were engaged in urging their fellow-eitizens'to proceed to the ballot, and, as will be seen, they were very successlul. Mr Sims acted as returning officer, Mr W. Parsons being scrutineer for Mr Meecb, and Mr Glew scrutineer for Mr Adams. The poll closed at six, and the returning officer showed promptness, for about a he announced the return to iho citizens who had assembled to hear tbe result, It was as follows :— T. Adams 4C W. Meech 33 Mr Adams, who was warmly received, thanked the electors for returning him. He could assure them that he would net in an independent manner in the Council, but at the same tim« would seek the Councillors' help to conduct the business satisfactorily. He would assure them that lie would do his ver3' West to look after their interests to the best of his ability. Ho thanked them much for putting him in tbe proud position he occupied, and would do his best to represent them worthily. '(Applause.)

Mr Meecb, who was well received, bogged to thank those who had voted for him. He wns on good terms with the gentlemen who had been elected, and would work cordially with him. He bad nothing whatever to say against him, except that he had shown a want of energy in these matters in the past, but he had explained that he thought it was time for him to take a prominent part in borough matters. Though not elected, be (Mr Meech) would serve the town to the best of bis ability. Ho had worked hard for them in tbe past, and Avben elected' in Mr Piper's place he had secured the spending of £350 in the borough. He knew how hard it was to contest the seat against an old resident. Man}' people said, " Lst the young man wait; there's plenty of tim-> for him." He had had a chance in the past of being elected to the Mayoralty without opposition, but had refused it, as he wished, if he occupied that seat at all. to go in on the votes of a majority of the hurgessen. He did not believe in getting in by the back stairs, (Applause.) He hoped to stand'again on another occasion and receive the votes of many who had opposed him at this election. He again thanked those who had supported him. (Applause.)

An adjournment was then made to the Criterion Hotel, where Mr McGregor proposed the health of Mr Adams, the successful candidate He su'd that he war glad to see such an old and respected' resident as Mr Adams elected as Mayor, and knew be wojld look after thf> interests of the borough, and aa n member —and he might any a lending member — of tho Council, he promised him his best support. He knew that tbe election once nvev, MiAdams and Mr Meech would work harmoniously together for the common good. It had been a hard fight.but it had been a fair one. and all differences should now be forgotten. (Applause)

Mr Adams returned thanks in a suitable manner.

The Mayor-elect then proposed Cr Meech's health, which he did in most eulogistic terms, praising the energy of that gentleman, and saying that, he was on the best of terms with him, and he knew they would work together cordially in the Council,

This toast, like the preceding one, was drunk with great applause.

This terminated the formal proceedings