MAYORAL ELECTION.

DEPUTATION TO HIS WOBBHIP THE MATOB.

An influential deputation of citizens waited on hia Worahip the Mayor, at the City Council Ohambera, thia morning, to request him to consent to offer hia aervioea to the ratepayers aa mayor for the ensuing year. The deputation consisted of Messrs J. P. Jameaon, 0. T. Ick, F. Hobbs (exMayor), Councillors Kiver and Vincent, Messrs W. Pratt, 0. P. Hulbert, 0. B. Briggß, and B. W. Bishop. Mr J. P. Jameson, who acted as spokesman, said that hia Worship would doubtlees reoognise, in the deputation, the faces of gentlemen with whom he had been engaged in the conduct of public matters conneoted with the city for many years. It had been with pleasure that theee gentlemen had obaerved the urbanity and judgment whioh had characteriied Hia Worship's career. Sow that the year of hia Mayoralty was drawing to a close, they especially remembered the public spirit and liberality which he had shown on all occaiiona when it appeared to him that he could advance the interests of the city, and promote respirt for ita inatitutiona. Qhe year had b»v;. fi V careß and reaponßibilitiea, many of which Lad preised hoavily on hia Worship ; but though his health might have suggested retirement, he had not shrunk from a very constant and diligent discharge of his Onerous duties. The deputation begged to thank hie Worship very heartily for his devotion to the interests of the citizens, and felt that he had well earned a reapite. Nevertheless, in view of the prospect of a year in whioh it was anticipated that the duties of office would be considerably lightened, they bad ventured to come to ask his Worship to accept nomination for a renewal of his mayoralty. They felt that the citizens generally were of the same mind with themßelves. Moreover, they considered that they were much indebted to bis Worship in tbe past; and also that the universal satisfaction at the handsome manner in which he had received the Governor, and the many visitors to the late Exhibition, reflected honour, not only upon the Mayor himself, but also upon the community amongst whieh he dwelt. It was their earnest wish that his Worship would kindly consent to take office for another year, and they hoped that during that period he might enjoy good health, and have a happy and prosperous time.

Messrs W. Pratt, F. Hobbß, and B. W. Biohop also spoke, urging upon his Worship the desirability in the interest of the oity of his accepting office for another year, and expressing their high sense, on behalf of the citizens, of the admirable manner in whioh he had discharged the duties of his offioe in the past.

Mr Hulbert followed, in similar terms. He aaid that he himself had been asked to aland for the offioe of Mayor, but had decided not to comply, and was happy to be present to support the request to his Worship to assume the position for another year.

His Worship the Mayor thanked the depu tation for their kind expressions towards himself. Ia response to their request, he would say that if it were the general wieh of the ratepayers that he should continue to oocupy the potition of Mayor for another year, he would be most happy to do so, provided his health would permit; although, when he entered office, he had never contemplated holding it for more than a year. He thought that the members of the Council - should occupy the position of Mayor, as some reward for the services they had rendered to the citizens while Councillors. He also considered that there were several gentlemen, both inside and outside the Oouncil, who would fill the office with credit both to themselves, and to the citizens. Nevertheless, if it were the general wish of the burgesses, and notwithstanding that he had made private arrangements in view of the probable conclusion of hia dutiea, he would offer his services for another term, and alter those arrangements to meet the wishes of the ratepayers. -■ Mr Jameson and other members of the deputation thanked his Worship for his acquiescence to their wishes, and promised to present a well-signed requisition on Saturday next.