DUNEDIN MAYORAL ELECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 282, 29 November 1888, Page 3

DUNEDIN MAYORAL ELECTION.

(lii' TEUili KAMI—-OWN COKKK.Si'OMHCM'.)

Dtf-SrjEDiN, this day

The city mayoral contosb is exciting un. usual interest, and bids fair to result in a surprise if the man ab tho corner is to be believed. From his length of service as a councillor and his experience na mayor of a suburban borough, all the advantages appear to bo on tho side of Councillor (Jourley, whose opponent is Mr C. A. Chapman, barrister, and son of tho oldest identity, who was for years Registrar of the Supreme Court. Tho latter lia.s frequently sought to gain civil and legislative honours ; but the public will have none of him, and his experiments have been so costly that very few Sihoughb lie would seriously contest this election to the end. Against Councillor Gourley a .series of adverse circumstances are operating which may prejudice his chance, though I think he will be returned by a substantial majority. His erratic career on the Licensing Committee, especially as a member of a temperance lodge, in systematically voting for an increase of licenses, will cause templar organisations to record a block vote'against him. The mercantile community are very dissatisfied with his consistent support of the second dock scheme at Port Chalmers, while a third influence, which is silently working, though not much spoken of publicly, is a candidate of social position in the upper ten, who does not relish the idea of tha honours and hospitality of the city in view of exhibition festivities being dispensed by an undertaker. If all one hears bo correct, these adver.se influences acting together will ensure his defeat, but I discredit the report, though if an averagely strong man from among the Council had stood he must havo won. Uourley's safety lies in his opponent's weakness, in his inex perience of public afiairs, and in tho muddle ho has made of his canvassing. The meeting the other night waa diverting in tho extreme and is tho talk of the town. He denied having ever sought to obtain the support of the Licensed Victuallers, yet the papei-3 published letters showing that when he last stood for the Assembly he wrote to the Victualler's Association pointing out lie was interested in hotel property and that their interests were identical in some degree, and hoping to rccoive support. He based his claims for support on the fact that he was prepared to do without salary and give, free legal advice, besides announcing that if returned the Exhibition Guarantee Fund will benefit to the tune of i'loo. In this connection his father addresses to the Star an extraordinary letter, in which ho says be made such appear, but never intending it fco be made public and condemns his son's Action in strong terms. He goes on to say that tho Mayoral office should carry emolument with it, and added that if his son persists in making money bids for election he will, on polling day, vote against him. The tone of the letter and manner of its publication caused no little amazement. The whoto transaction is getting very mixing, as the polling day approaches.