MAYORAL NOMINATIONS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2691, 22 November 1882, Page 3

MAYORAL NOMINATIONS.

CHRISTCHURCH. The nomination of candidates for the Mayoralty of Christchurch for the ensuing year took place to-day at noon at tho City Council Chamber.

Mr O. L. Leo, the returning officer, declared that the only nomination made was that of Mr John George Knddcnklaxx, the retiring Mayor. He had therefore to declare Mr Buddonklau duly elected as Mayor of Christchurch for the ensuing year. The announcement was received with loud cheers.

His Worship said he would not then detain them by making any remarks, as he would speak later on. Advantage was taken of the occasion to make a presentation to his Worship the Mayor and Mrs Ruddonklau in commemoration of tho Exhibition. About fifty of the leading citizens assembled in the Council Chamber, where the very handsome testimonial was displayed. Mr Ollivier’s taste is well known xn matters of what Mrs Partington called articles of “ bigotry and virtue,” but on this occasion he has exexcelled himself. The plate was selected from the ateliers of Messrs Coates and Co., Petersen and Co., and M. Sandstein. The principal part comprised a very handsome centre piece, consisting of an epergne and two flower stands. The epergne was the the one exhibited by Mr Sandstein on the occasion of the Exhibition. It is in form of a fern tree springing from a rocky base, the fronds falling over and supporting the centre glass of the epergne. At the foot is a figure of a Maori chief in what Artemus Ward would call a full sxxit of war paint, and also some flax rushes. The flower stands on either side were in bold contrast, being representative of the Arctic regions. The foot represented ice bergs, with polar bears, walruses, &e,, whilst above are stalactites. Altogether, this is a very handsome piece of plate, and one which will be a very fitting memento of a year memorable in the municipal history of Christchurch. In addition to this, there was a handsome dead gold lockot, bearing on one side the monogram of Mrs Ruddenklau. The last items to be noticed were six silver claret cups and a salver bearing an inscription. The gentlemen being assembled, on tho motion of Mr Frederick Hobbs, the returning officer, Mr G, L. Lee, took the chair.

Mr Lee said ho had the greatest possible pleasure in taking the chair, as lie had just had the honor of returning Mr Ruddenklau again as Mayor of the city. [Cheers.] Mr Ollivier said that lie had hoped that Sir John Hall would have been present on the occasion, but his health precluded his doing so. Hence he (Mr Ollivier) had undertaken the pleasing duty which that day had called them together. It would at once be seen that Sir John Hall would have been tiro most appropriate person to make the presentation,, as ho had been the first chairman of the City Council. As, however, that gentleman could not attend, he (Mr Ollivier), as the second chairman had come forward. He was proud to say that Christchurch always honored her leading citizens, and on no occasion had that honor more worthily been deserved than on the present. [Cheers.] Mr Buddonklau had most nobly discharged the duties of this cilice during the past year. His princely hospitality during the E.-elu-tion had, ho felt sure, done much to make that Exhibition a success. [Cheers.] The hearts of the people were with him, and he trusted that for many years to come Mrs Ruddenklau and himself would live to look upon the small tribute of love and esteem which, on behalf of the people of Christchurch, ho now presented as a memento of a year of office which Mr Ruddenklau had made memorable by his liberality, generosity, and general good qualities. The salvor bore on it this inscription, “ In memoriam of N.Z.I. Exhibition,” and the testimonial was intended to remind Mrs Ruddenklau and himself of the events of that year, [Cheers.] Ho now begged Mr Ruddenklau to accept their small token of esteem and love, which was before him, and also the small gift which they had ventured to offer to Mrs Ruddenklau herself. [Cheers.] l’he health of his Worship and Mrs Ruddenklau were drank with groat enthusiasm.

His Worship said—Mr Ollivier and gen-

tie men, I feel myself at a loss to find words to express my feelings on this occasion in suitable terms. You have been kind enough to refer in very flattering terms to my action during my year of office now expired, and especially during the Exhibition season, I thank you most sincerely for those expressions of your good will toward me, and I desire also on this occasion to take

the opportunity of thanking the citizens generally for their kindness on all occasions during the period I have held office as Mayor of Christchurch. To say that T feel honoured hy the presentation to me of this handsome testimonial is but feebly to express the gratitude with which X accept this renewed token of your esteem. The knowledge that my fellow citizens approve of the manner in which I have endeavoured to carry out the duties of my office amply repays mo for any trouble and expense X may have incurred. The citizens of Christchurch conferred upon me the highest position in their gift as head of the city, and I consequently felt it to be my duty to assume on the occasion of the Exhibition the position of host, and to uphold specially on that occasion the good name of the city for hospitality to those visitors whom the Exhibition might bring to our city. What X have done lias been done ungrudingly, with a free and open heart, and a desire to benefit the city, my anxiety being that the Exhibition should, for our sake, bo a success and not a failure. Having been identified with the city fora quarter of a century, and having assisted in the management of its affairs, and shared in its progress and good fortune, I feel that X am indebted to the citizens for much in’ the past. Therefore I was glad to take the opportunity to return in some way the kindness and benefits always accorded to mo. I accept tbis liandsome testimonial, not for its intrinsic value, but as a further boud of friendship between myself and the citizens. [Cheers.] While I live I shall always feel that X am under deep obligations for repeated evidences of good will towards Mrs Ruddenklau and myself. [Cheers.] lam aware that our old friend, Mr Ollivier, is the principal instigator of this testimonial, lie is always ready with his largo heart to recognise what he considers services rendered in any capacity. I hope and trust that good health and long life may be in store for him. [Cheer’s.] As this is probably the last event in connection with the late Exhibition I take the opportunity of thanking the promoters for their assistance and readiness on all occasions in seconding my efforts to make the Exhibition a success. I can most sincerely bear testimony to their straightforward conduct and their desire to make the Exhibition worthy of its object, and creditable to New Zealand irrespective of loss or gain. On behalf of Mrs Iluddenklau, 1 desire most sincerely to thank you for your kindly expressions with x-espect to hex-, and also for the handsome present which yoxx have made to her this day. [Cheers.] I can assure you that Mrs Ruddenklau, equally with myself, feels the deepest ixxterest in the welfare of the city, and has always done her best to assist me in the discharge of the social duties appertaining to the office of Mayor. [Cheers.] Gentlemen, X iouce more beg to thaxxk you for the kindness of to-day, which only adds another to the long list which you have heaped upon me. [Cheers.] Mr Frederick Hobbs proposed the health of Mr John Ollivier, payixxg a high tribute to the general qxxalities of that gentleman.

Mr Ollivier responded in a very humorous speech, and concluded by proposing the health of Mr Twopeny, one of the promoters of the Exhibition.

Mr Twopeny responded, stating his belief that the Exhibition had been a great benefit to Christchurch, and pointing out that he had given the best possible proof of his belief by remaining here. [Cheers.] He was afraid that New Zealand did not sufficiently recognised the advantages to be derived from its representation at European Exhibitions. Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide were being represented at Amsterdam, but Now Zealand was absent, though tho trade of that countx-y would be worth having. Mr T. S. Weston proposed —“ The City Council, coupled with tho name of Cr. Ayers,” who responded in a sarcastic speech. The health of the Returning ) Officer, Mr O. L. Lee, which was drunk with great enthusxaim, and duly responded to, concluded the proceedings.

SYDENHAM. The nomination for the Mayoralty took place to-day at noon in tho office of the Borough Council. Mr John Joyce, tho present Mayor, was the only candidate nominated, and he was declared by Mr Charles Allison, the Returning Officer, to be duly elected. Mr Joyce will bo formally installed into office on the 20th December next. ST. ALBANS. The Hon. J. T. Peacock being the only candidate, was therefore declared duly elected.