THE MAYORALTY.

Evening Star, Issue 4176, 15 July 1876, Page 2

THE MAYORALTY.

The nomination for Mayor for the City of Dunedin for the ensuing year, took place at the Provincial Government Buildings at neon to-day. There were about 250 persons present. The Town Clerk <Mr Massey) read the foVowing nominations:— William Woodland, prosposed by J- hn B. Thomson, seconded by Andrew Anderson.

Charles Stephen Beeves, proposed by Mr Andrew Mercer seconded by Benjamin Bag: ev. Henry John Walter, proposed by John Guthrie, seconded by John Howie. It was announced that the poll would be taken on the 21st inst. Mr Woodland said that this was the first time he had sought the? citizens votes in the capacity of election for Mayor. The reasons which induced him to come forward were that he had received a very numerously-signed requisition, and that he was the sen : or member of the Council. He bad served the City for four years, and he claimed that his actions would bear comparison with those of any other member. He was the only Councillor who had opposed that “big swindle” theP inces street widenirtr, from beginning to end. He had instituted public u-iuals and dust-carts, which he considered the greatest boon the City had ever receive#, Before tramways were adopted the voice of the people as to their views on the matter should be taken. He opposed woman-suffrage, holding that they lad enough to do to stop at home and attend to their domestic affairs. (Laughter.) Mr Lloyd wished to know if widows had not os much sense as certain “ old women ” in the Council. (More laughter).

Beeves said that the ugh he had also opposed the widening of Princes street, and last year opposed Mr Walter for the Mayoralty on that question. he believed that, in the course of years, they would reap considerable advantage from the undertaking of that work. In the election for Mayor there was a principle involved: that the office of Mayor should be a rolling one, and he hoped the electors would keep this in view. If a Mayor was to occupy that position for two years it would be twenty-four years before the youngest member of the Council could fill the post. Last year, when defeated by Mr Walter, fco promised to come foi ward this yeir, and he was now before them in fulfilment of that promisa. Only under exceptional circumstances should a Mayor seek to be elected a second time, such as where he is possessed of large-hearteduess and great liberality, and when a large requisition is presented to him asking him to come forward. He (Mr Beeves) looked forward that the result of the election would be to place him in the position to

which he aspired. In answer to a Mr Beeves said he was not senior member # (he Connell—Mr Wocd’ond was. - ' , Mr Walter, In coming forward- to seek the office of Maj or a second 'time, considered he'had sufficient tact and judgueatto conduct to* affairs of the Olty. He coesiderect that a pefrson whose integrity was undoubted. one whom; the oltirens oontd roly on, and who did rot accept Che position for pay or profit, mu the m»n whom theciiiasas had to look to for the Mayor of Dunedin for a second time. At one time he had a delicacy in again eoiulng forward for election as Mayor, but since what had Iranspir'Cd -ftl the Harbor Board through Mr Eoeves’s - connection- therewith, that del'cacy had been removes." Mr Beeves bad in the Provincial Council opposed the election of Mayor as a member o* this nominal body on the ground tbat his term of office for one year was so abort that there would he n continual change in the membership, and yet Mr Beeves objected to aMayorbeing-electea. for-ft second year. Mr Waiter quoted' ah eminent authority to show that harbor management should be dealt with by an elective body, and that the only nominee members of a Board should be tbe Collector of Customs and Mayor of toe. place. Mr Beeves, as member of the Board audios City Councillor had quietly sat at a meeting of the Board and allowed Mr Qillies the secretary to state that the Corporation was not entitled to the Wharves and Quay? Reserves. If this matter was not righted toe Corporation would lose LfinO or LAOO a year. Further proceedings were adjourned till Friday.