MAYORAL ELECTION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XIX, Issue 3290, 1 December 1892, Page 2

MAYORAL ELECTION.

The election of a Mayor was on Wednesday oarried on very harmoniously, but very earnestly, and each party did their best. A larger number of votes than usual were polled ; two oaba were kept going all day and two bed* ridden voters were carried into the poll. A number of ladies exercised the fnraofnse. In very good time Mr. C. E. Gibson, deputy returning officer, had tbe votes counted and announced the result to be as follows : — * Major 96 Davidson 75 Mr. Major returned thanks lor the honor done him, and, in doing so, said tbe present was a most critical period in Hawera's history, and many matters would require prompt and seriopg attention. There was a large area- of land lying in that direction (pointing to the south-east) that was at present unsettled, and which he hoped to aid in settling, and when opened up by good roads and bridges, the business accruing to tbe town from that direction, should be much greater than that coming from the opposite direction, for the reason that on that side the business was competed foe and eat off to a great extent by smaller towns. Tbe most important matter requiring attention was the inauguration of a sound water scheme, and tbe speaker would at onoe take steps to procure a correct estimate so far as competent engineers could make one of the cost, as without a donbt the town could not be a town without a proper water and drainage- supply. He was pleased tbe election had been conducted amicably throughout the day, he had not heard an angry word spoken. Had ha known there was to have been a contest he was doubtful whether be would have been a candidate, as when he was asked to stand, it was generally understood that the . then Mayor would not again seek ra-eiec* tion. However, once having pledged bis word to stand, he was determined not (0 draw back, with tbe result that bis friends plaoed him at the bead of tbe poll. He hoped that at tbe end of the coming twelve months the ratepayers would possess tbe same confidence in him as they had just expressed, Mr. Davidson thanked tbe electors, and said that, although a beaten candidate, he would be ready to help in any matter brought forward for the borough's good. Personally, it was a great relief to him to be relieved of tbe duties.