BIRKENHEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 275, 20 November 1899, Page 8

BIRKENHEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTION.

' Messrs C. E. Button and J. H. Witheford were to-day nominated to: the office of Mayor.

Mr Witheford said that on.returning from Wellington he was asked to accept nomination for the Mayoralty, and, though he did not crave for any office, agreed to do so if it was the wish of the majority. After a- requisition had been started he learned certain particulars which inclined him to postpone acceptance for another year, and he wrote the following letter to Mr Gascoigne, who had been prominent in urging him to stand: — "Halcyon," 16th November, 1809.--Dear Sir,—l think it wohld be better to leave the question of.my standing for Mayoralty until next year, as it is now too late to get a full expression bf pubj-te opinion previqtls to upipipii: tion day, and I believe if it was known in gopd time that I would accept office there would 'be no necessity for an election. As I mentioned to you, I would not consent to be nominated unless a majority signed the requisition. It would not afford me any pleasure to be Mayor, unless by the almost unanimous wish of the Councillors and the ratepayers. I did not hear until last night the particulars of Mr Button having been requested to continue the Mayorship, and as I am of the opinion that he is a most worthy man for the position it .will be as well to let matters remain as they are. lam grateful:to you for the kind sentiments expressed in my favour.—l am, yours sincerely, (Signed) J. H. WITHEFOED.

The reply received 1;o this was a requisition signed by 116 as follows:— J. H. Witheford, Esq.—We, the undersigned, respectfully ask you to allow yourself to be nominated for the Mayoralty of Birkenhead, and in the event of a contested election we pledge ourselves to do our uttermost to secure your return.—Signed by J. E. GASCOIGNE, JAMES LOW, and 114 others. Mr Gascoigne said these names were obtained in less than three days and showed the desire of the district.