MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 167, 18 December 1874, Page 3

MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

LYTTELTON. A meeting to elect a Mayor for the ensuing year was held on Thursday at the Council Chamber. All the councillors were present but Cr Murray. The Mayor said that their first business was to finally pass the accounts Jof the last financial year, and said he hoped some Cr would move tneir adoption. Cr Hawkins moved—" That the certified and signed accounts for the previous financial year be passed. This was carried unanimously. The Mayor said that the next business was the election of a new Mayor. Cr Kouse said that, in the Christchurch City Council, another thing had been done before that business commenced, and that was moving a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor. He thought this a worthy example, and should have much pleasure in doing so, the more so as he and the Mayor had not always pulled together. He had always been independent and spoken his mind, and he thought it right always to do so. No one could have been seated at that Council for the last two years without feeling how ably his Worship had carried on his duties, how he had given up his time to carry them out. They had differed but he thought if there had not been a contrariety of opinion things would not have come out so square. He begged to move a cordial vote of thanks to his .Worship, and he was sure they would pass it unanimously, he begged to move this and that the same be minuted. Cr Graham was happy to second the resolutior. F< r twoyears they had a good Mayor. He had stated at the time he was elected that no one was better able than Mr Chalmers to carry out the work, and time had shown that he was right. It would be filled again on the present occasion in a proper manner, and his election came now with a better grace, as they were all working together. (Jr Grange could only echo the sentiments of the former speakers, but could not let this occasion pass without testifying to the faithful, energetic, and ready manner in which the preseut Mayor had performed his duties during the past year. The Mayor said that he was obliged, they bad better now proceed with the business,

Cr Grange thought it was pretty well understood they were all of one mind as to the election. Ho thought it better there should be opposition in the Council, in order that a watch might be kept on what was doing. Each member ought to reflect on the desirability of the actions of the Council. He begged to propose Cr House as Mayor during the next year. He was sure he would fill the seat with credit to himself and satisfaction to the Council. As to his not being always in his scat, there would be a substitute always at hand in the person of Mr Chalmers—willing and ready to render valuable assistance.

Cr Hawkins had great pleasure in seconding the nomination, and thought they would give geueral satisfaction by electing him. Their Mayor for the last two years had done his duty thoroughly, and he thought the gentleman Cr Grange proposed would also do so. Ho had hitherto taken part in the committee with willingness and ability, and he knew that he would pay the same attention to his duties as Mayor. The Mayor asked if any other Councillor wished to speak. None doing so, the question was put, and Cr Rouse elected unanimously. The new Mayor was then formally inducted by Crs Grange and Hawkins. His Worship said that before he sat down he must thank them for the honor they had done him in electing him, and promised to do his duties to the best of his ability. He could not answer for being always there. Last Monday he had been called away, and this might happen again, but the fewer times the moTe he would be pleased. Cr Chalmers would be there, when he was unavoidably absent, to take his place. He hoped to take that chair without party feeling, and forgetting the heartburnings of the past he occupied t e chair with their unanimous consent, and should endeavor to avoid the rocks and shoals that surrounded the office. He felt he was deficient in business qualifications, but there were plenty of gentlemen seated round that table willing to give him suggestions on this point. He would fill the post to the best of his ability. He begged to thank them once more for the confidence they had shewn in him. Cr Chalmers rose to ret urn thanks for the manner in which they had spoken of him, he had been a regular attendant for the past two years, and had endeavored to do his duty to the best of his ability, he knew that votes of thanks didn't count much, but still they served to smooth asperities. Happily they managed generally to discuss without disputation ; but still there were occasional disputes, and votes of thanks were like oil to the municipal machinery, and he was grate* ful to them for passing it. His Worship then read a letter from the chairman of the school committee, asking if the Council would attend at the Colonists' Hall to see the annual distribution of prizes to the children attending the Borough Schools. The Council then adjourned.