THE MAYORALTY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 450, 8 March 1909, Page 6

THE MAYORALTY.

MR. HISLOP DECLINES NOMINATION. OTHER LIKELY CANDIDATES. Oil Saturday afternoon, tho Mayor (Hon. T. W. Hislop) forwarded to Mr. A. A. Georgo his reply to tho request containod in a nu-merously-signed requisition that ho. should allow himself to lie nominated for tho olfico of Mayor for a further term. Owing to business and other reasons Mr. Hislop finds that ho is unable to again become a candidate for tho position. Quito a number of names aro mentioned in connection with tho vacancy, but so .fa; only two candidates—Dr. Newman and Mr. w. 11. P. Barber —liavo definitely announced themselves. Following is tho text of Mr. Hislop's reply:— "The magnificent requisition presented by you to mo, tho kind remarks made by yourself, and echoed by thoso present on Thursday, and tlio efforts made by you and oilier friends on my behalf, make it very difficult for mo to refuse to acccdo to tho requests mado to mo thatI shoult, again becomo a candidate for the Mayoralty. "I have carefully considered the public needs, and tho sacrifices entailed upon others by my holding the office. I have made up my mind that I must refuse. "In your interview with him, Mr. Brandon put forward into prominence the wearing effect and loss (jntailed upon myself, but I must recognise tho • sacrifices mado by my partners, and that they should only bo continued if there was a public necessity. "My duties until quite lately have also been mado greatly easier by Mrs. Hislop: and I regret to havo.to say that her medical advisers insist that she must for a .time have rest. I greatly regret that I must refrain from gratifying my own as' well as your wishes. "I again thank you and all my friends for their considerate kindness and confidence. "Yours truly, "(Sgd.) T. W. Hislop." COUNCILLOR LUKE OUTLINES HIS POSITION. In reply to an inquiry, Councillor J. P. Lulco informed a Dominion reporter that he would not stand unless there was a generally expressed desire that he should do so. Rcceiitly ; tho electors of tho Suburbs had given evidence of their goodwill towards him and confidence in him by selecting him to represent them in Parliament. He recognised that he had experience to gain in regard to Parliamentary matters. Then again the contest from which he had just emergod was a vory stiff one. Further, he had his family and business to consider. If, as he had said, there was a strong feeling that ho should offer his services ho was prepared to do so. Ho regretted that there was not a rule that councillors who had rendered valuable service should receive the office without a contest. His opinion was that the Mayor should bo elected by the Council,' and not by the electors. It was not fair to councillors who had served year in and year out to ask them to fight an election in which political and other contentious matter was introduced —and more especially against persons who had not recently occupied seats at the Council table. Members of the Harbour Board and similar institutions elected their own chairman. There were many people in his electorate who would consider that lie was selfish if he strove to gain another important ofiice. If, however, the people considered, that he should offer himself ho would be glad to do so. COUNCILLOR FISHER NQT DECIDED. As it was known that Councillor F. M. B. Fisher had received many strong requests to como forward, a Dominion reporter called upon him. Mr. Fisher said that ho had been asked to receive a deputation on the subject. Ho was at present undecided as to whether ho would contest tho election. There was plenty of time in which to make up his mind, as the election would not take place until the end of April. If there was a possibility of a candidate coming forward who would at all - fulfil a desire for reform which ho would like to see in the next occupant of the office, he would not contest the election. In conclusion, Mr. -Fisher remarked that ho would-be able to give a dciinito reply on the question in. the course of a'few days". . ■.< . MR. BOLTON MAY STAND. ' Upon being interviewed on the subject by a Dominion reporter, Mr. F. G. Bolton stated that now Mr. Hislop was removed from the field, there,' was. no reason why lie should not contest the election. He had had many voluntary olfors of support, and his hesitation to declare himself absolutely was due, in the. first place, : to the illness of Mrs. -Bolton, who was at present in Auckland, and would, in all probability, be unablo to assist him in the election, ana in the next place, he wished to be quite sure that the electors desired him to contest the election, lie felt that the worli this year would be of an exceedingly responsible character, and that there would be strong necessity for close supervision, of all undertakings and matters of finance. Without doubt tho rates were about as high as property-owners could stand at the present juncture, and it would probably bo found that the incidence of • taxation was really considerably more than- was estimated on tho present valuations. If tho rates wore increased, that would probably react on all classes of the community,in the shape of incrc. :ed rents—a thing to bo deplored. Of. course the city was in process of making, and certain works already commenced should be finished at the earliest opportunity, compatible with prudent finance and certain big undertakings placed on an absolute businesslike basis. Of course it might bo said that lie had had no experience in connection with the City Council, but the same remark applied equally well to' the last two Mayors, and tho knowledge which ho had obtained on various local bodies should be of service to the public. He hoped to be in apposition to announce his intentions positively in a few days. MR, WILFORD WILL STAND. It is understood oil the best of authority that Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., will be a candidate for the Mayoralty.. As Mr. Wilford has been away from town since Saturday, it has been impossible to approach him on tho matter. At'the present time; Mr. Wilford, in addition to holding tho position of member for the liutt, is also chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board. This will bo the fourth occasion on which ho has aspired to tho office of Mayor in tho city. In 1901- ho was defeated by Mr. Aitken by a substantial majority. Threo years later, with Mr. Hislop, he again attempted to ivrest tho position from Mr. Aitken,, who, however, polled nearly as many votes as both his opponents together. Upon tho last occasion on which Jlr. Wilford came forward, viz., in 1907, he polled a little more than half the number of votes recorded in favour of Mr. T. W. Hislop. OTHER. NAMES MENTIONED. "1 have not tho slightest idea of contesting the Mayoralty," remarked Councillor J. Smith when ho was informed that his namo was mentioned iu connection with tho election. Mr. J. R. Blair, an ex-occupant of the position, is stated to 1m a probable candidate. At the present- time Mr. Blair is spending a. brief holiday in tho south*... SOME MAYORAL ELECTION FIGURES. In view of the fact that sevoral prospective candidates have previously aspired to the ofiice, tho figures in connection with the elections during tho past fow years will bo read with iutercst. They are as follow • 1901:. Mr. J. G. W. Aitkon, SSOI votesMr. T. M. Wilford, 2732. 1902: Mr. J. G. W. Aitken, returned unopposed. 1903: Mr. J. G. W. Aitkon, returned unopposed. 1!XU: Mr. J. G. W. Aitken, ,1052 votesMr. T. M. Wilford, 1565; Hon, T. W. Hislop, 1530. 1905: Hon. T. W. Hislop, 3060 votesMr. W. H. P. Barber, 2377; Mr. J. J. Devine, 1725; Mr. J. P. Luke, 145fi; Mr. T. Wardell, (558 ; Mr. J. Smith, 433. 1906: Hon. T. W. Hislop, returned unopposed. 190": Hon. T. W. Hislop, 5658 votesMr. T. M. Wilford, 2995. 190S: Hon. T. \V. Hislop, 0192 votes; Mr. J. G. W. Aitken, 5549.