THE MAYORAL INSTALLATION.

ME. HARLEY ASSUMES OFFICE. Mr J. A. Harley, the newly-elected Mayor of the City of Nelson, was duly installed at the Council Chamber at noon to-day. There were present the retiring Mayor (Mr F. Trask), the Mayor elect \P r A& Har] °y). Crs Baigent, Rout, Light Piper, Kirkpatrick, Fairey, and f^^M* Gully, Town Clerk, Mr e'yh , y „ SaT ™y°*> and Mr Blomheld, Clerk of the Waimea County Council. Thero was also a fair attendance of the general public. The retiring Mayor, Mr Trask, who acted as installing officer, made a brief speech in which lie acknowledged the good services of the Council's officers. He P ?»r a £ ,f **, tril ? ute to tho good qualities of. Mr Gully, the Town Clerk and City lreasurer, and congratulated the city on having such an able and conscientious ?? c "- (Hoar, hear). He also eulogised the City Surveyor, Mr Jickell, as a practical man, and specially mentioned the arduous duties that had devolved upon Mr JickeU in carrying the Rocks Road to a successful issue. Mr Flett (the rate and gas collector) Mr Hart (the gasworks foreman), and Mr Hooker (the works foreman), were also trustworthy servants, and he hoped that the Finance Committee would consider the question of raising the salaries of the two latter o&cers. He also spoke of the good work of the caretaker of tho Queen's Gardens, and of the assistant clerks, Messrs Barltrop and Walker. He hoped that although he had not been able to secure a new lown Hall, the ratepayers would sanction a loan of £2000 for this purpose at an early date Half of tho interest (.£80) could be defrayed out of the Gaasworks Account and half out of the General and Waterworks Accounts. Mr Harley, who was received with applause, then stepped forward, and having made the usual statutory declaration, took the chair, Mr Trask remarking, Joseph Auty Harley, you are the first Mayor whom I have had the pleasure of installing, ani I wish you every success m your undertaking." (Applause). Mr Harley, who was applauded on taking the.chair, said that there was no need to make a long speech. He had no new poucy to announce, as, whilst the circumstances of the Council remained as at present, the current works would go on as usual. As one of their number he had got on well with the Councillors,, and he. hoped that as Mayor the relations between them would be as pleasant, and that at tho end of his term he would be able to look back on it with pride. He thanked the Councillors for their presence, and tho public for electing him to his present position. (Applause). Cr Baigent said that although he had contested the election, he could heartily congratulate the Mayor on his election. He was not hurt at his own defeat, although he acknowledged that at the time he was disappointed, as he had been led to believe that he would win. He bore testunony to Mr Harley's abilities, and said that if the Mayor felt inclined to retire next year, he (Cr Baigent) might again offer his services. Congratulatory speeches were also made by Crs Piper, Light, Rout, Fairey, Akersten, andiKirkpatrick. The Mayorjbriefly returned thanks, and at his invitation those present adjourned to the Masonic Hotel, where the health of the new Mayor was drunk.