GISBORNE MAYORALTY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2150, 27 March 1908, Page 2

GISBORNE MAYORALTY.

MR. W. D. LYSNAR’S CANDIDATURE.

Some five or six influential ratepayers waited upon Mr. W. D. Lysnar yesterday morning to ascertain if there was any truth in the rumor that he did not intend to contest the office of Mayor of Gisborne. The gentlemen said they thought it best to como .straight to him and ascertain the position Two of the deputation who had on former occasions opposed Mr. Lysnar in his candidature assured him they were desirous of seoing him stand, and would give him their support on this occasion. Mr. Lysnar, in reply, thanKcd the gentlemen for their assurances, and stated that he had no intention of going back on his previous pledges to stand for the chair, ill consequence of numerous requests at the last election, ho then publicly staged that he would contest the Mayoralty this year against all comers, particularly as lie had been informed by a number of the burgesses that th«y had voted for the present May .r on the strength of his statement that this would be his last term of office, but that they would support hnn at the next contest against whuvei stood. «Mr. Lysnar went on to say that he recognised there were some important municipal questions that required consideration in tlio ;tunicdiato future. Ho had also promised a deputation that waited upon him, asking him to stand for tlio vacant seat in tho Council that was caused by the death of the late Mr. J. A. Harding, that ho declined to do 60, as he felt that be would be compelled to oppose the policy of tho present Mayor, and as it- was understood that it was Mr. Townley’s last term of office, he did not wish to come into conflict with him, and he would therefor keep out of the Council, but when tin- tinio arrived ho would contest tho Mayoralty. Mr. Lysnar also informed tho deputation that lie recognised that the position he had been compelled to take up, in the interests of the borough, by opposing certain municipal proposals bad made him enemies, and for that reason lie thought it was best there should be a contest, so as to allow the ratepayers to express their appreciation or otherwise of the work ho had done in local politics. He trusted the contest would bo carried through iu a friendly and fair spirit.