Cr. Tennent to Stand for Mayor

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 80, 3 April 1941, Page 8

Cr. Tennent to Stand for Mayor

ACCEDES TO REQUEST OF DEPUTATION Cr. TV. B. Tennant, at a gathering of citizens held yesterday afternoon, gave an affirmative answer to a request that 1 he should contest the Palmerston North i mayoralty. Mr. J. C. Young was elected to the 1 1 chair and thero were between 40 and. 50 citizens present, probably three- ' quarters of them being women. Mr. Young said there had been a spontaneous move in the city to approach Mr. Tennent who was a man with the ability, dignity, energy and time to faithfully fulfil the highest honour that citizens could confer on one of their number. Mr. J. A. Grant presented a petition to Mr. Tennent, worded ns follows: — “We the undersigned desire you to accept nomination as a candidate for the office of Mayor, satisfied you have all the qualifications for worthily discharging the duties and responsibilities of the position, (signed) Cnrl TV. Anderson, R. J. Andrew, J. O. Boniface, J. J. Coffey, J. Craven, TV. H. Clegg, F. L. Cubitt, P. D. Clark, Mrs. M. A. F.liott, D. Grant Fraser, J. A. Grant, Mrs. C. G. Hayward, E. R. Howan, J. P. Innes, Laurie Laurcnson, Miss M. A. Murrav, T. J. Rodgers, C. S. Rawcliffe, Mrs. L. Seifert, R. H. Spencer. TV .G. TVilby, E. F. TVix, T. B. TVorralJ, J. C. Young.” Mr. Grant added that the position of Mavor carried a heavy responsibility and needed a man of highest integrity and ability. He traced Mr. Tennent ’a j career and association with public organisations not the least of which was his S years on the City Council. Mr. Grant said the present Mayor had served the city well but as all knew, though one went into the position full of vim, enthusiasm and ideas, the time ' came when one became stale. There was a limit to one’s originality sooner or later. The cry to-day was for younger men and they should be given their chance. Mr. P. D. Clark supported the pres- ( entation of the petition. Mr. Young commented that Palmer-1 •ton North had been fortunate in the calibre of the men who had come forward for civic honours. Mr. Tennent, in replying to the approach, said he acknowledged it ns a great tribute. His own and his wife's interest were centred in and around Palmerston North and both desired to render service to the town even though it meant sacrifice. In that spirit several

years ago he had offered himself a 3 a councillor. To-day there was a more urgent call for young men to come forward and he would accede to the request and offer his"’services as Mayor. He would be able to re-arrange his business so that he could devote all the time needed to such a position. He would leave the matter in the hands of the electors. Mr. Tennent added that he apreciated to the full all that Mr. Mansford had accomplished as Mayor—he had done his work very well indeed. “But, and I say this with all sincerity.” said Mr. Tennent, “when a man has occupied the position for ten or eleven years, he has had a very good run. This position ought to go around and be made available to whoever are willing to give‘their services.” Mr. Tennent said he would do nothing to lower the. dignity of the office if elected and hoped that the friendship between himself and Mr. Mansford would not be impaired.