Page 3 Advertisements Column 5

Evening Star, Issue 2939, 20 July 1872, Page 3

THE MAYORALTY* ELECTION FOR MAYOR. ME FISH will address the Citizens atf under , This, SATURDAY EVENING, at Field's Canongate Hotel, Brown street, at 7 o’clock; and at the Imperial Hotel at 8.15 o’clock. JAMES BLACK, Chairman. ELECTION FOR MAYOR. MR FISH’S General Committee will meet at Offices, next Ship Inn, Princes street, at 9 p. m. on Saturday night. Business of Importance. JAMES BLACK, Chairman. TO THE RATEPAYERS OF DUNEDIN. FELLOW CITIZENS,—It was not until the last moment, and after I had failed to induce other members of the Council to ofl’er themselves as candidates for the office of Mayor, that I reluctantly consented to do so. It had been tauntingly said by manyeven by Councillor Barnes—that there was no one in the Council who had public spirit sufficient to dispute Mr Fish’s monopoly of that office. I feel deeply the sting of those words, and resolved, humble as I am, that if none of the older Councillors would offer themselves, and give the Citizens of Dunedin an opportunity of maintaining a great principle, I would do so myself. Was a right or wrong in doing so ? principles of freedom are ever in danger when the carelessness or indifference of a people suffers unprincipled ambition to seize and retain power. Our American Cousins have wisely provided against the evil, declaring that no one, no matter how great, shall ever hold office as Chief Magistrate more than twice. The principle is a sound one, and should be scrupulously guarded. The principle is the same in Dunedin as in America, therefore the office of Chief Magistrate should be “a rolling one,” that every respectable citizen might fairly aspire to fill. This is the opinion of every member of the community who is able to think—nay, it is the opinion of the Mayor himself, as twice publicly declared. “But circumstances alter cases.” Yes ; when Mr Fish wanted to get into office, the principle was an excellent one; but when he unjustly wishes to retain office, it must be put aside, for the case is entirely altered. Such is human nature —at least it is the Mayor’s nature ! But what is Mr Fish’s position at present before the public ? Why, simply this : Ho says, “I admit that the office should be a rolling one : the principle is correct ; but when out of your 18,000 inhabitants there is no one so able to fill it as I am, the principle will not hold.” Modest man ! Indeed,.this is truly bis position, which is an insult to the intelligence of every citizen—an insult they will resent, or I am greatly mistaken. When the deputation lately waited on him, asking him to come forward again, had there been any modesty or truth in the man, his answer would have been something like the following ;—“ Gentlemen—l thank yon for your mistaken kindness, and I am proud to find that my past conduct as Mayor has obtained your approbation, but as I believe the office should be a rolling one, as I have publicly said so on several occations, I prefer keeping my word as a gentleman to enjoying the sweets of office under conditions in which 1 must despise myself, and be despised bv every honest person among yourselves. * Such an answer would have made us all exclaim —“How worthy is this man to be Mayor !” Many, however, will think this line of conduct above Mr Fish’s comprehension—and, I am afraid, they may be right. Of Mr Fish’s past conduct as Mayor I will say nothing. He stands before you in all his little greatness, and if on a recent occasion, when in the heat of public speaking, I mentioned some of the little mean things he has been guilty of, I now regret it, as they were as much beneath my notice as they should be beneath bis performance. I hope this apology will satisfy him and his friends. In conclusion Gentlemen, I feel that I am only doing my duty iu affording you an opportunity to check unscrupulous ambition and unbearable egotism. 1 remain, Your humble servant, R. ROSSBOTHAM, ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS. SOUTH WARD ELECTION. AT the request of a Public Meeting of Ratepayers, held last evening at the Provincial Hotel, MR JAMES BROWN, of Princes street, consented to be nominated as Councillor. CORPORATION NOTICES. CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF PORT CHALMERS. 3LIC NOTICE is hereby given, that he Valuator’s Assessment for the year as been submitted to the Town Conn--1 allowed. That the same is deposited office, Town Hall, Currie street, and e daily inspected between the hours of i. and 4 p.m., by any person interested 1. is further Notified that any Appeals t the Assessment may be lodged with or before the 21st day of July, 1872; copy of each Notice of Appeal must iverecl by the appellant to the Clerk, ■ Resident Magistrate’s Court, Port ‘ clear days before the day of ’ GEORGE L. ASHER, Town Clerk. lall, Port Chalmers, ,hj July, 1872. Cocker brothers (Successors to Samuel Cocker and Son) Sheffield. England, Established 1752. Manufacturers of Steel, Files, Wire, Tools, Reaping-Knives, Saws, Scythes and Sickles, Steel Wire Ropes, Crinoline Steel, and Springs, &c.. GENERAL MERCHANTS. Agent in the Colonies, ARDING’S”FLEXIBLE ROOFING Reduced to One i mny per Square Foot, is used at the Roy? ) Arsenal, Woolwich ; Chatham, Haulbowline, Amsterdam Exhibition, Metropolitan Board of Works, &o. Agents in all the Colonies.