MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

♦ MB D. M. Bobß ELECTED UNOPPOSED FOR TIMAKU. At noon yesterday Mr B. H, Lough, returning othVor for the borough, appeared at tho door of the Council Chambers und announced that Mr David Mitchell Kixss Imd been nominated ns Major by two burgee ses, Messrs Gcoreo Qabites find J. J)elancy, and thorn being no other nomination bo formally declared Mr Boss duly elected to the ollico of Mayor for the ensuing year. There wore forty or fifty persons assembled nt tho municipal buildings, und Mr Rosa made a short, address, avowedly taking advantage of tlio opportunity because, us ho observed, such meetings present a convenient opportunity of extending tho right hand of fellowship to those who are on the threshold of honor, nnd thereby offering encouragement to others advancing on the road of life. Mr Rom referred to a few of the questions of the day, first touching on tho difficult question of charitable old. It was clear that many mistakes hid been made, by which pauperism had been increased. )fo considered that pauperism should bo unknown, and that it might bo unknown amongst in if tho legislature and local authorities wero to combine to provide the poor with homes and with work at their doora, and for this purposo eoino of tho extensive '■ poor man's fields " among the Otago gold fields, tho Maerowhcnua for instance, offered thcmsolvcs a» oxtromuly »nitiiblo fornfittleinont. Mr Kosn then referred to the progress of Timaiu in tho past, and drew a glowing pi-'luro of its future prospects, when tho I'iumma Canal shall havo boen opened and a lmgo emporium of grain and other furm products established at Colon to supply tho continents beyond, to to which New Zealand must becomo the chief contributor of tho stoclca. Reforming to tho water supply ho expressed hit conviction that tho supply is ample for present requirements. Thoro is no immediate hurry for increasing it, but when it docs becomo nccesiary it can bo very readily done. There is a balance of £3000 in hand, which would not only increase tho supply hut multiply the resorvoirs and provido filter beds, pp as to meet all rcquiremouls for tho noxt ten years. As to tho electric, light it. would bo rash to go in for it until it has bemi tested fnrlhor for tho lighting of towns. Within limited area?, as a ship, 11 theatre, or an exhibition, it wns perfection, but tho iniulnfion had not yet. beon perfected, so that thoro is great, lo?s in transmitting currents to connidor.iblo distances. A inniiH community like this ought to ho careful how it enters upon experiments of this kind, as they might bo put to great cxponso and reap only disappointment. When it is proved a suro euceeaa elaowhoro in tho lighting of towns, tho ratepayers would ho justified in going in for it, and making tho best burgaju thpy could. (liaur, hoar.) A good deal had buen naid about tlin Mayor's conduct in returning a lender. Hithorto ho hud carefully refrained from Buying anything directly | or iitdtroctl v on the subjool, the Mayor would |

bo here shortly and would be able to explain it. But he would say this that whatever Iho Mayor did was dono with the best intentions, (Hear, hear.) He noticed in the estimates for tho year £100 put down for the Mayor's salary. Ho would decline to accept any Balory whatever for this year. (Applauso ) They could not afford it for one thing, and if he took it ho would foci in honour bound to expend it again. It would be better that he should not accept it at all, and not make it a precedent that a ealury should be held out ns an inducement to any man to conic forward for the office in a nmnll community like this. Ho thanked them for tho honor dono him, and would say that if anyono needed his services, whatever his denomination or position, ho would be only too happy to do his be3t for him.' Ho thanked them very heartily for tho honor they had done him. (Applause ) Mr Ross concluded by moving a Tote of thanks to tho returning officer. (By Telegram.) HAWERA, Nov. 19. James Davidson was elected mayor unoppoßqd. NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov. 19. Mr J. P. Roy, solicitor, was nominated as mayor this morning und returned unopposed. MASTERTON, Nov. 19. Tho candidates nominated for the ofTico of mayor aro Messrs E. Feist and A. W. Rennall. WELLINGTON, Nov. 19. Mr John Pulhio was nominated for tho mayoralty to-day. As yet no other candidate is announced. BLENHEIM, Nov. 19. Mr George Biley was re-elected to tho mayoralty unopposed. WESTPORT, Nov. 19. Mr. James Suislcd was elected mayor unopposed. ASIIBURT'-N, Nov. 19. Mr 1). Thomas was re-elected mayor of Ashburton. DUNEDIN', Nov. 19. For the City mayoralty Councillor Gourloy and Mr Charles Chapman, solicitor, were nominated. Tho former is certain to be returned.