MAYOR TO RETIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20725, 19 November 1930, Page 10

MAYOR TO RETIRE.

MR. BAILDON'S DECISION.

NOT A CANDIDATE IN MAY.

THREE TERMS JN OFFICE.

The Mayor of Auckland, Mr. G. Baildon, announced yesterday his definite intention not to seek re-election at the municipal elections next May. Mr. Baildon has been a member of the City Council since 1914 and Mayor since 1925, when Sir James Gurison retired.

Although the municipal elections arc nearly six months away 'Mr. Baildon said ho had given serious thouglit during recent weeks to whether he should stand again. In reaching a decision not to seek re-election on the expiry of his present tcrrn, Mr. Baildon said he felt ho had done his duty to the city in occupying the mayoral chair for three terms. The position was an honourable one and he had been proud to occupy it. It was also a position involving a considerable sacrifice and requiring the whole of one's time. He further considered it proper that others should havo the opportunity of serving the city as Mayor. Mr. Baildon said he was prompted to make an early announcement of his decision in fairness to those who were apparently now considering the idea of standing for the mayoralty.

The mayoralty was held by Sir James Gunson for 10 years, the record period of oflice, and, when Mr. Baildon completes six years as Mayor next year, his term will rank next in length to that of his predecessor. On each occasion Mr. Baildon has had to contest the office. Jn 1925 he defeated his only opponent, Mr. H. D. Schmidt, by a handsomo majority of over 3600 votes. The 1927 contest was four-cornered, and Mr. Baildon prevailed by 1400 votes over his nearest rival, Mr. T. Bloodworth. In another four-cornered fight in 1929 Mr. Bloodworth was again Mr. Baildon's nearest opponent, the margin being about 1000 votes. A deputation will wait on Mr. G. \V. Hutchison, a member of the City Council, to-day with a request that he should agree to accept nomination for the mayoralty.