NEW BRIGHTON MAYORALTY.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20773, 6 February 1933, Page 13

NEW BRIGHTON MAYORALTY.

MR E. A. M. LEAVER AGREES TO STAND AGAIN. REQUEST OF DEPUTATION. Replying to a deputation of ratepayers from the Central, North, South, and West portions of the borough, -which waited on him at his residence on Saturday evening, the Mayor of New Brighton, Mr 10. A. M. Leaver, agreed to allow himself to be nominated for the Mayoralty for the forthcoming two years. Mr Joseph Buxton, in asking Mr Leaver to accept nomination, said that two years ago he was ono of tho deputation which waited upon Mr J. 11, Shaw, who at that time was Mr Leaver's opponent. However, the position was now changed and lie now felt that no man in the borough could have held the position of Mayor during the past 14 months as well as Mr Leaver had done. He felt that anyone seeking the position of either Mayor or Councillor at this juncture was looking for trouble, but could assuro Mr Leavor that lie would use every endeavour to place him at the liead of the poll. Great Interest in the Borough. Mr A, AV. Eames said it was generally agreed that no one, for many years, had taken such a great interest in the affairs of tho borough as had Mr Leaver, who had not yet had an opportunity of occupying the chair for a full term. No one bad a greater insight into tho requirements of the district and he could think of no inau who could so well fill tho position in the interests of the borough as a whole. Major W. E. S. Furby pointed out that few men would be prepared to give up the time that Mr Leaver had done in the 19 years he had been connected with the Council, and during the 12 years he (tho speaker) had been a resident he had been surprised at the readiness with which Mr Leaver had devoted his time to anything that would be of advantage to tho welfare of the borough. The Deputy-Mayor (Cr. A. E. La-wry) said he was not representing South Brighton officially, but he was the bearer of numerous apologies from South Brighton residents who were unable to be present that evening owing to prior engagements. Ho had been privileged to sit, as a Councillor, under three ! Mayors, each having his good points, but Mr Leaver was outstanding from the point of knowledge of borough affaire, and more especially of the intricacies of its finances. Cr. AV. Wilkins, Mr F. W. D. Sincock, Mr 11. Parker, and Mr S. C. Thompson also spoke on similar lines. Matter Already Considered. Mr Leaver said that the remarks that evening made up for the kicks a Mayor received. Ho had already given tho question of seeking re-cleetion serious thought. If lie studied his personal interest alone -he would be well advised to stand down, but for 19 years the ratepayers of New Brighton had re-elected him on every occasion but one, and if he once started a job he liked to keep going. In consenting to stand again, he was not influenced, he said, by the suggestion that he might win easily. He loved a fight aud was prepared to contest the seat against all comers. If he were rejected as Mayor the borough ..would be welcome to his services as a Councillor. On the motion of Cr. Lawry, seconded by Mr Buxton, it was unanimously decided that all those present should form the nucleus of an election committee.