ELECTION OF MAYOR.

West Coast Times, Issue 644, 17 October 1867, Page 3

ELECTION OF MAYOR.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE WEST COAST TIMES. Sir — Being a visitor to your town, and only recently arrived from Dunedin, I was very much surprised on perusing your paper this morning to find that Mr Gilles had made an incorrect assertion relative to the Hon. John Hyde Harris, in that he (Mr Harris) had so ably filled the office of Mayor for the City of Dunedin. For the information of Mr Gilles and the public generally, I beg to state hat Mi Harris was elected some three months since as Mayor, but up to the time of my leaving Dunsdin, (last month), he had not once occupied the civic chair, being absent at Wellington in the discharge of his duties as member of the Executive Council. The qualifications of the Hon J. H. Harriß are unquestionable, but are not based exclusively on the fact of his being a barrister, and bears not the slightest comparison with Mr Gilles' nominee, for it must be borne in mind that Mr Harris is one of the oldest settlers in Otago, and has filled most distinguished public positions, such as stipendiary Magistrate, member of the Provincial Council, member of the House of Representatives, also Superintendent of the Province, and at the present time a justice of the peace, and member of the Executive Council. It will therefore be seen that Mr Harris has more than ordinary claims on the citizens for the honor they' have so justly conferred on him ; and it is not surprising that they should return so eminent a barrister and well-tried public man, whom they doubly honored by electing hini in his absence. I think you will agree with me, Sir, in condemning the course taken by Mr Gilles in making the assertion he did, without due enquiry, as it would tend to mislead, and might influence the forthcoming election. „ I trust you will pardon me for trespassing on your valuable space, but being at all tunes interested in public matters, I think I should be very neglectful if I did not try to prevent such a statement getting abroad well knowing it to be incorect. "In conclusion, I would suggest that the ratepayers exercise proper discretion in their choice, and render honor unto whom honor is due, i.e., by returning one of those gentlemen who have already served them well and faithfully. I beg to remain, Sir, with much respect, Yours truly, Edmund Reeve 3. Hokitika, Oct 16, 1867.