THE MAYORALTY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1689, 22 March 1917, Page 3

THE MAYORALTY.

PETITION TO MR. FRASER. On Tuesday afternoon a deputation consisting of Messrs A. J. Kellow, A. King, J. W. Stevenson, J. McC’oll, and L. R. Freeman, waited on the Mayor, Mr A. Fraser, and presented a petition, signed by 111 ratepayers and residents, asking that he should allow himself to be nominated for the office of Mayor for a further term. Mr Kellow said that a small meeting was held on Friday evenings last, attended by about 20 ratepayers and residents, when it was unanimously decided to present a ■petition to him (Mr Fraser) asking that he should again contest the Mayoralty. The petition contained 111 signatures, and the number could easily have been doubled had I here been more time. Mr Fraser had done good wort: during his Icrm of office, and he could assure him that the citizens of the borough very much appreciated what he had done, particularly in patriotic affairs to which he had devoted much time, the good position locally being largely due to his efforts. The gas works at the present time required careful handling, and as Mr Fraser was fully conversant with what was required, it would be advantageous to have him continue in olliee. The feeling locally was that if he continued in office the works would be made a paying concern. Mr Kellow then handed Mr Fraser the following petition:—“We, the undersigned ratepayers and residents of Foxton, have much pleasure in requesting you to again contest the election for the Foxton Mayoralty. We very much appreciate your work during the last two years, and feel that the affairs of the borough could not he placed in more efficient hands. Trusting you will see your way to give a favourable answer to our petition, and assn ring you of our hearty support. We are, dear sir, etc.” Here follows the names of 111 ratepayers and residents. Mr J, MeColl said he would like to see Mr Fraser continue in office for a further term, and see the gas works business through. This was a big question, and Mr Fraser was fully conversant with it. Mr Stevenson said he was satisfied Mr Fraser bad the business of the gas works at his linger tips, and (he citizens were looking to him to see it through. Messrs Freeman and King also expressed the hope that Mr Fraser would allow himself to he nominated for a further term.

Mr Fellow said that Air Chrystall, who contested the seat with Mr Fraser at the last election, was in attendance at Friday’s meeting, and had put his name to the petition, lie had said that during the past two years lie had been converted from an opponent of Mr Fraser to i«ne of his supporters. His absence from I he deputation was due to his being out of town.

Mr Fraser said he had (o thank them all very much for (heir kind remarks. lie jocularly remarked that a petition of the kind was one of the most Haltering tributes a. man could have after having mismanaged the affairs of the borough for two years. As they wore all aware, he did not seek the position at the last election, but had agreed to nomination on the assurances of (hose who approached him that his services were required. From the outset, however, lie had no intention of holding office for more than (wo years, as be was of opinion that the honour should go round, and no one man should continue in ollice indefinitely. Still, the reremarks passed gave one food for thought, and put things in a somewhat different light, and while he was not prepared to say that he would accede to the request, he would think over it for a day or so. If pressed for an immediate answer he was afraid that answer would have to be ‘'No.” He would acknowledge that he would like to stay in ofliee for another term to see the work undertaken at the gas works carried through, which he was satisfied would help towards making the works a paying concern. He mentioned that when he retired from the position of Town Clerk live years ago he did so with the idea of taking a rest from municipal affairs. However, he would think over the matter and let them know his decision hv the end of the week.