NAMES IN A HAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22198, 27 August 1935, Page 12

NAMES IN A HAT

ACTING LORD MAYOR COMPETITION IN SYDNEY Keen competition is taking place among city aldermen in Sydney for the honour of presiding at council meetings in the absence of the Lord Mayor, Sir Alfred Parker, who is ill, and this competition is likely to continue until a deputy-Lord Mayor is appointed, says the Sydney Morning Herald. At the last two meetings the position was occupied by the vice-chairman of the finance committee, Sir Samuel Walder, who was elected unanimously, but at the next meeting of the council ho had opposition from Alderman Shannon, of the Labour Party, and retained tho position only by a lucky dip in a hat. Remarking that the position of acting-Lord Mayor should "go the round of aldermen," each meeting, Alderman O'Dea nominated Mr. Shannon. after Sir Samuel Walder had been nominated by Alderman Tresidder. Aldermen voted on a show of hands. There were eight Reform aldermen present, but the voting was equal. Ono of the Reformers did not vote. The Town Clerk, Mr. Hendy: You have put mo in tho awkward position of having to decide; but I suggest that the two names be drawn from a hat. Sir Samuel Walder's hat was used, and his name was the first to be drawn. Upoji taking the Lord Mayoral seat, Sir Samuel Walder remarked with feeling to seven Labour aldermen, "Well, I do appreciate a solid party vote!"