THE MAYORALTY.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17748, 19 March 1927, Page 3

THE MAYORALTY.

MTTING MAYOR PETIRES. MR F11 VXK CRAWSHAW A CANDIDATE. Despite strong representations : from his supporters, the Mayor (Mr 1 James M'Diarmid) has definitely de--e.ided not to contest the Mayoralty next month. On top of this the announcement was made yesterday that Mr Frank Crawshaw, who has occupied a seat on the Borough Council for the past six years, had acceded to the wishes of a representative deputation of ratepayers ancl agreed to accept nomination for the position of Chief Magistrate. During the past four years Mr Crawshaw has been chairman of the Worlcs Committee, an onerous position that he has filled with credit and at the same time he has .always carefully guarded the interests of the ratepayers. He will have a worthy opponent in Mr W. H. Frith. the other aspirant for the Mayoral chair. THE RETIRING MAYOR. Mr M'Diarmid's retirement after eight years' continuous service, the longest in the history of the Borough, will be very much regretted by a large section of the conimunity, but he feels that he has occupied the highest office the town can offer long enough and has no hesitation in making way for someone else. Mr M'Diarmid has been of that mind for sqme time and when approached yestei'day he saw no reason to alter his decision not to stand. Plis term of office covers a most interesting period. He was first I elected in 1919, a few months after ! the termination of the war, and had i a very busy time attending to the | home-comings of the soldiers. He [ had the honour of Avelcoming to j Oamaru many distinguished overseas visitors, including the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York and Earl Jellicoe. His term has also been notable for many civic activities, not the least of which was the sale of the Borough's electrical business to the Power Board, and the inception of the drainage scheme. Markecl improvement to the water and j gas reticulation have also been effected since the retiring Mayor first took over the reins of administration of our civic affairs. Mr M'Diarmid's never failing tact and courtesy and ready sympathy for those less happily placed have gained for him the deepest admiration of a host of friends. _ His handling df the Borough Council's business calls for nought but laudatory remarks and whiie it is to be sincerely regretted that he is unable to see his way clear to accept nomination for a further term as Mayor, there is some consolation in the fact that his serviccs will again be available for a seat on the Council. S :