THE CHRISTCHURCH MAYORALTY.

DEPUTATION TO MR C. LOUISSON. At noon to-day, a deputation, consisting of Messrs E. W. Roper, W. Chrystall, G. Humphreys, A. Kaye, W. D. Meares, R. 0. Bishop, and H. Quane, waited upon Mr C. Louisson at the City Council Chamber, to nsk him .to again offer himself for the Mayoral chair at the forthcoming election. Mr W. D. Meares, who acted as spokesman, said that although the deputation Mas small, it was a very representative one, and if it had been thought necessary ten tnmes the number could have been got in a few minutes. It had been felt bj* the majority of the citizens that the manner in which Mr Louisson had performed the duties pertaining to the office during the present year Juid reflected credit not only on himself, but also on the city. They felt that they were asking a good deal in urging him to take another year of office, :but their excuse for so :doing -was- that,' in. making the request, they were expressing the feelings of the great majority of the ratepayers. Mr Louisson, in replying, said that he could not help feeling greatly honoured by such a flattering request from so influential a deputation. He had had very little intention of offering himself for the position again } next year. He had been in hopes that some other leading citizens would have come forward for the position, and it would have given him equal pleasure to have had the opportunity of supporting one of the members of the deputation for the office. It .seemed to him that the leading citizens did not take the interest in civic matters that they should do. It must be Temembered rhat Christchurch was now becoming a very important city, and it had advanced considerably during the past few years. The rfFice of Mayor was no sinecure, for, though '•t gave the holder a certain amount of credit, it. also involved a great deal of work and a loss of time. However, lie felt chat it would be ungracious on his part to ' (jfu.se In accede to the request of such an influential deputation, and he would, therefore, be pleased to place himself in their hands, and would agree to be nominated. Ho trusted, however, th.it next year, when the Jubilee of the province would be celebrated, efforts would be made to get some !e;idin<r citizen to tnke the office, who- would uphold the dignity of the position, as would he necessary in connection with the celebrations, to show the rest of the colony what Canterbury bad done during the i>ast fifty years. In such a- year tit would be an appropriate thing to have the position filled by a. gentlewan who had been born in Canterbury. Should he be returned at the present election, he would do his very best for the interests of the city generally. Mr Meares having thanked Mr Louisson for acceding to the request of the deputation, a nomination paper was procured, Mr Louisson was nominated by Messrs W. Chrystall and R. C. Bishop, and the deputation withdrew.