THE MAYORALTY. MR. H. D. BELL CONSENTS TO STAND.

Evening Post, Volume XLII, Issue 77, 28 September 1891, Page 3

THE MAYORALTY. MR. H. D. BELL CONSENTS TO STAND.

At half-past 2 o'olook this afternoon Mr. H. D. Bell was waited upon at his oSTieo by an influential deputation, who urged him to boeome a candidate for the Mayoralty. The deputation consisted of the Mayor (Mr. A. W. Brown), the Hon. J. Martin, Councillors Harris, ParBons, Harcourt, and Anderson, Mossrß. E. Poaroo, T. J. Galo, J. Dnnoan, J. C. Edwards, P. J. Parffitt, N. W. Worry, J. H. Cook, E. B. Brown, E. W. Lowe, M. Murdoch, G. H. Harbroe, C. Tringham, C. A. Deacon, Jones, Young, R. Hannah, W. H. Quiok, J. L. Bacon, 0. Hill, Tinney, A. Sooullar, H. Komber, A. H. Miles, C. A. Baker, F. W. Haybittle, Captain Bendall, and othors. t The Mayor opened the proceedings by explaining that ho had been asked to act as spokesman. His Worship went on to say that a general wish mft- Jieon expressed that a gentleman' hi sflch a similar position to that 6'cctfpied by Mr. Bell should bo selected for the office) of Mayor. The fact that the large and influential deputation whioh now waited ■upon Mr. Bell had been got together in about an hour was a snffloient evidenoo of the support which that gentleman would roccivo if ho came forward as a candidate. Mr. Bell was held in high estimation and had the goodwill of the majority of tho people. Tho deputation hopou that Mr. Bell would see his way to stand. They lookod to such gentlemen as Mr. Bell to see that the office did not go begging, and did not fall into impropor hands. If Mr. 801 l consented to stand, ho (tho Mayor) promised that the deputation would do their best to return him. Mr. Bell said he took it as a great compliment that he had been asked to contest the oSoo. When ho was first spoken to on the subjeot by the Mayor and other gentlemen he pointed out that his business engagements were auoh that he could not very well engage in an oleotaon. He could not deny that his" fellow-citizens had a right to call upon him at the prosont timo, and lie was quite ready to leave himself in thoir hands. He should say this, however, that he could not on any account take part in a regrnlar electoral contest, and if the deputation wishod a candidate who could give the timo to take part in a real fight, ho must ask them .to. seleot another gentleman. In oonsequence of his engagements in the Court of Appeal next month he could not devote any ti.no ton contest. He nnderstood that a deputation was to wait on Mr. Jellicoe, to ask that gentlemen to stand, and if that was so he (Mr. Bell) wa3 perfectly willing to content the office. (Applanso.) The Mayor explained that a majority of tho Counoil were anxious that Mr. 801 l should stand. Mr. 801 l said that Councillor Worth had waited upon him and stated (hit he oould not retire from the contest, as a large number of his (Councillor Worth's) supporters were averse to suoh a step. He (Mr. Bell) told Councillor Worth he desired a contest, and that no (jnoation of money would be taken into consideration ; that he (Mr. Bell) would not spend a penny. Before tho deputation retired a committee consisting of all present was formed to seonre Mr. Bell's return. Messrs. F. W. Haybittle and C. A. Deacon were appointed secretaries. . , The committeo meet in Messrs. G. Thomas and Co. 'a anotion rooms to-morrow evening. Mr. G. Fisher, M.H.8., was waited upon on Saturday night at his residence, Hillstreet, and requested to allow himself to be nominated. He thanked the deputation for thinking of him, but explained that ho had just conoluded a session of a very trying nature, and would like sqmo time to recuperate before giving a definite answer. The interview then terminated. A requisition asking Mr. E. G. Jollicoo to bocomo a candidate La now in course of signature.