THE MAYORALTY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 90, 17 April 1901, Page 4

THE MAYORALTY.

The nomination of Mr. D. Arkell for the position of Mayor of our city has been received with as much

amusement as surprise. It is_ extremely difficult to understand Mr. Arkell's reason for making1 his debut in local politics at this juncture. He could not have selected a more inopportune moment. Aucklanders have, we believe, rarely been as unanimously in favour of any candidate for office as in the case of Dr. Campbell. He undertook to fill the Mayoral chair at the request of a deputation truly representative of Auckland's citizens. A gentleman who has rendered considerable public service, and who wa.s contemplating- offering- himself for the position, courteously withdrew when Dr. Campbell was prevailed on to accede to the wish of the many, and allow himself to be nominated. Now Mr. Arkell, who, as far as we are aware, has never taken an active part in municipal or colonial polities, and whose name even is quite unknown to many Aucklanders, comes forward and asserts his unalterable intention of putting' the question to tbe vote. We do not for a moment wish to suggest that any man has not a perfect rig-lit to aspire to the highest position in our local g-overnraent, but the peculiar circumstances of the present case make the nomination of Mr, Arkell in questionable taste. Could this gentleman show us that any oue section of Aucklanders is desirous of his offering the city his services, a different complexion would be put on the case, but careful enquiry fails to elicit any information as to from what class or body' Mr. Arkell expects to gain support. As a business man Mr. Arkell has, we believe, proved his ability, and we

should be glad to see him take an active interest in municipal affairs. But to put the. city, to the cost of a useless election is a proceeding whicli the majority of citizens will, we feel sure, regard as wholly inexcusable.