THE MAYORALTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11629, 17 April 1901, Page 4

THE MAYORALTY.

A good deal of surprise was felt at the announcement made a few clays ago by Mr. D. Arkell that he intended to become a candidate for the Mayoralty, and that he would go to the poll against allcomers. In the face of the acceptance of . the nomination by Dr. Campbell at the instance virtually of the citizens as a body, this candidature of Mr. Arkell was felt to be something approaching an absurdity. Dr. Campbell has every claim which a man can have ; Mr. Arkell has none whatever. He has not held any public office, and has discharged no public duties. Dr. Campbell is entitled at the hands of the citizens of Auckland to any office which he may accept. No other citizen has any claim equal to his, or to be named on the same day with his. It will be difficult for Mr. Arkell to make out any case at all for receiving the suffrages of the electors. It will be seen that an attempt was made yesterday to get Mr. Arkell to withdraw. The attempt was unsuccessful, and Mr. Arkell seems to have treated the gentlemen who waited upon him with somewhat scant courtesy. He must be left to receive his lesson on the polling day. Mr. Arkell's determination to put the city to the expense of a contest is simply his individual notion. We have not heard that any section of the community, or even any individual, has asked him to be a candidate for the important office of Mayor.