THE MAYORALTY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 769, 26 November 1886, Page 10

THE MAYORALTY.

MR. FISHER AT NEWTOWN.

Mr George Fisher, M.H.R., a candidate for the Mayoralty, addressed a meeting of the ratepayers in the Chapel, Donald McLean-street, Newtown, last night week. There was a good attendance, and Mr J. Jones occupied the chair. The Chairman briefly introduced the candidate. Mr Fisher said that he had two reasons for calling the meeting, viz.: To explain why he withdrew from the Mayoral contest, and the causes of his re-appearance. The only other candidate, Mr Brown, he said, should have given his views on the many questions at issue. The position of Mayor was a high one, and required some considerable capacity to fill it, and he thought that, when offering himself for such a position, Mr Brown had shown little courtesy in not addressing the ratepayers. He (Mr Fisher) had himself nominated so as to afford Mr Brown an opportunity of addressing the ratepayers. To quote the language of an evening paper, “Mr Brown should not appropriate the position of Mayor by default.” He had no unkind feelings toward Mr Brown, and felt sure that this ooming election would be carried out without any bickerings. Another reason, and the main cause of his re-appearance, was that certain rumors had been circulated that he had accepted £IOO to retire from the election. Last Saturday, a gentleman (he need not mention names, but he would if they wished it) had said to him “ So you have received £IOO from Sam to retire.” From another quarter a gentleman had said have taken £SO to retire.” He would take a hundred defeats—and he knew how anxious the Duthies and the Pearces were to see thatbut he would go to the poll to clear his reputation of such a blemish- Mr Fisher then went on to say that he had stuck to the ratepayers’ politics simply because he was fond of politics. Although he had been a considerable loser by them, that did not quench his love for politics. But because he was fond of politics he was not going to allow such imputations to be thrown on him. He knew he ran the risk of being knighted —(lauahter) —and if he were, and they had their Sir George going down the street with Sir Walter Bailer—(laughter) —he would be just the same as now. The newspapers (what Judge Richmond called advertising sheets, and he ought to know), he said, would no doubt find some very ingenious reasons for his reappearance. If elected, he would see that proper steps were taken to procure a recreation ground in the Botanical Gardens, and he would also use his energy to let the city have possession of the gasworks. As they had possession of the Wainui-o-mata waterworks, why should they not have possession of the gasworks ? They would have cheaper gas, and would have the affair under their own management. This, he said, would be one of the subjects to which he would direct hia attention, Mr Fisher gave his views at great length on the Te Aro reclamation question and several other matters. He assured the meeting that if they returned him he would stand by them steadfastly, He had a lot of opposition to fight against. He remarked that it was very singular hqw bitterly he was opposed if he came forward for any position. He believed that if he put up for a committeeman of a dancing class he would be largely opposed, and the whole town would be in a commotion. Mr Fisher concluded amidst great applause. In answer to a question, Mr Fisher said that he had already been authorised by a larger meeting than the present one to oppose the Harbor Board proposals, and he might go further and say that the effect of that meeting and its result had had such an effect on the members of the City Council that they were now making a more courageous stand. Mr Capper moved that a similar resolution to that. passed at a meeting at the Arcade some time ago, to the effect that the Corporation should not part, with the foreshore estate, unless upon a price based upon the valuation, be passed. This was seconded by Mr A. Wilson, and carried. A vote of confidence was accorded to Mr Fisher, on the motion of Mr Wilson, seconded by Mr P. Briggs. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting. MR. FISHER AT THORNDON. Mr George Fisher, M.H.R., addressed a large meeting of the Thorndon ratepayers at the Metropolitan Hotel, last Friday, and explained his views on matters in connection with the Mayoralty in a speech similar to those already made by him at Newtown. The chair was occupied by Mr Thomas Orr. Mr Fisher was warmly received and frequently applauded. In answer to a question Mr Fisher said he did not know what Mr Brown’s views on the Harbor Board question were, but at a meeting held at the Arcade some time back, Mr Brown had taken the opposite side. In reply to Mr Judd, who wished to know why he had not urged the matter of a recreation ground for Thorndon when he was Mayor, Mr Fisher said that he with other councillors had inspected that end of the town years ago for the purpose of procuring a' suitable site. The special fund devoted for providing recreation was a limited one. With the funds that were then at their disposal, they had made the improvements to the Basin

.Reserve, and when that was done, they had made a ground at Newtown. If it was possible a ground would now be procured for Thorndon. The Chairman, in a rather lengthy speech, pointed out that Mr Fisher was the man who , Bhould be elected, as •he would stand by them in their interests. On the motion of Mr G, Parsonage, seconded by Mr J. Brown, a unanimous vote of confidence was accorded to Mr Fisher, who thanked the meeting for the feeling they had shown in his favor during the evening. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings.

MR FISHER AT THE LYCEUM. Mr George Fisher, M.R.R., a candidate for the Mayoralty, addressed a final meeting of the ratepayers at the Lyceum on Tuesday evening. The Hall was crowded in all parts. Mr C. Midlane occupied the chair, and briefly introduced the candidate. Mr Fisher on appearing was greeted with loud applause. He said that it was very gratifying to see such a large gathering of the burgesses of the city, and it was a proof of the great interest that was being taken in the election. Mr Fisher drew attention to a remark he had made at a previous meeting, that he hoped the election would be carried on without any bickering. His opponent, he said, had said that he was guilty of a “ mean and dishonorable trick,” and there had been other statements in the “ volume.” Now it struck him that a man over whom they would take so much trouble must be “some pumpkins.” With reference to Mr Brown’s remark that he had been the author and originator of . the Te Aro reclamation, he (the speaker) said that the city was indebted to Mr Dransfield for the foreshore rights, and he (Mr Fisher) might claim for himself that he had put the Council in a position to proceed with the reclamation. He then went on to say that the Harbor Board intended to reclaim in front of the present Corporation line on the Te Aro foreshore, so that eventually the present-line of reclamation would he a backslums to the Harbor Board. After dealing with other questions in Mr Brown’s speech, Mr Fiaher went on to remark on the extraordinary injustice done to Mr Climie, who to this day (he said) had not received any recognition from the Corporation for his drainage scheme. The poor old man, he said, had gone away broken-hearted over it. With regard. to Mr Brown’s ability as a workman, if his work were to be gauged by the way he had turned out the Corporation buildings, he (Mr Fisher) did not think much of it. Mr Fisher then went on to say whether they should have the railway to Te Aro. (Voices : Have it.) (Mr Fisher : I say have it, too.) The Harbor Board, he said, intended to run a tramway where the railway line is intended to be laid down. How were they both to be done ? It had been said that he (Mr Fisher) wanted the position of Mayor for the sake of the salary. He was the only one who ever threw away an income to occupy a public position. In answer to questions Mr Fisher said that no one had offered him J6IOO to retire from the contest, but it was on hearing a remark to that effect that he had re-announced himself. If elected, he would as a. member of the Harbor Board and City Council, use every effort he was capable of to get the railway extended on to the Te Aro foreshore. Mr Dransfield asked the following question : “Should you be elected Mayor, will you use your influence as Mayor, a 3 member of the Harbor Board, and member of the House of Representatives, to carry out such agreement as may now be arrived at betwix the City Council and the Harbor Board, for the settlement of the disputed face-line of the Te Aro Reclamation, sc that the public works, involving an outlay of close upon £IOO,OOO, may bef commenced as soon as possible?” MrFisher replied that the agreement between the two bodies did not in any way affect the expenditure. He was quite in favor of the expenditure of the £IOO,OOO. Mr Fisher remarked that Mr Dransfield had evidently come to the meeting for the purpose of placing him on the horns of a dilemma. Mr Dransfield denied this, remarking that he did not intend to vote for Mr Brown. Mr Fisher : Then you must vote for me. Mr Dransfield said that Mr Fisher had not answered the question in a straightforward way. In answer to further questions, Mr Fisher said he was very strongly in favor of a dock being constructed for Wellington. He was of the opinion that the burgesses of the city did not have enough representation on the Harbor Board. A unanimous vote of confidence was accorded to the candidate on the motion of Mr Hail, seconded by Mr Sweeney. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting.

MR S. BROWN’S ADDRESS. Mr Samuel Brown addressed a meeting of the ratepayers at the Athenaeum on Monday night. There was a large attendance, the hall being well filled, and Mr H. Gaby was voted to the chair.

Mr Brown, who was well received, commenced by pointing out that he was no stranger to the city. He had been in the Council for six years, and his opinions on public questions were well known. He also pointed out that up to the day of nomination it was expected that he would be the only candidate, but his opponent was nominated at the last moment, after having, a fortnight ago, solemnly retired into the bosom of his family. He had never seen in New Zealand a man so vacillating. He had given no cause for such a mean and dishonorable trick. Before he touched on his views of city matters, Mr Brown said he was not going to enter into personalities, but he had to answer some of Mr Fisher’s statements. Mr Fisher said he was the father of the Wainui waterworks, the Te Aro reclamation, and, in fact, he left nothing for anybody else. Mr Brown said it would be found that in the press he (the speaker) was credited with the Te Aro reclamation. He might, if he were so minded, remind Mr Fisher of the alteration of a notice of motion by which the city sustained disastrous losses. Referring to the Harbor Board and City Council questions, Mr Brown said that sundry matters of detail yet remained to be settled. Mr Fisher said that the city owed £600,000, and was giving away £50,000. He (Mr Brown) was glad to find that the debt remained at £455,000. But the facts did not suit Mr Fisher, and £15,0,000 was neither here nor there. With respect to that £50,000, it had not been ex-

[plained that five acres of that amount was sup posed to represent three acres reserved for streets. There would be one acre and seveneighths available for revenue purposes, and to reclaim it would cost £14,850. And what would it be worth ? Say £ls a foot, or £20,850. Out of that the £14,850 had to come. That appeared to be a loss of £6OOO, but the frontages of the allotments, on the other hand, would be 150 ft instead of 100 ft. The population in future would be in Cook and Te Aro Wards, and he thought it was right to provide good wharf accommodation, &c., there. Having room for wharves, he submitted, would enhance the value of land. It would also be beneficial to the city. He believed that the large steamers at present had great difficulty in getting in to the wharf on that side now, but the Harbor Board had sent Home for a dredging machine. According to the late Mr Froude, the highest modern authority on the mathematics of seamanship, a steamer required about six times her length to turn in going at full speed, and steamers of 300 and 400 feet were now coming to Wellington. He reminded the people that Wellington was being built up a great city ;-and that they should be careful to do nothing to hinder the city in future. He thought the City Council was taking proper steps to protect the interests of the city, and he approved the reservation of a limit of reclamation. A great consideration in this port was transhipment, which was worth abont £6OOO or £7OOO a year in wages paid in Wellington. Mr Fisher complained that the revenue of the wharf had decreased though the trade had increased, and that Bhowed that the charges had been lowered,, and the public, in consequence, got the benefit. He would point out that if this reclamation was not carried out it was good bye to railway extension and a wharf at Te Aro. The Board, if 1 the two bodies did not agree, could do nothing in the shape of wharves there. So far as he could see, this matter, however, was settled saving a few minor details. He agreed, he said, with the City Council, .that the Board should pay something for land they took for reclamation. That was all he had to say on that subject.- Passing to the reclamation now going on, he thought a' mistake had been made in it. He considered that the reclamation was being carried out to an extent which would interfere with the shipbuilding trade, and also probably entail a large expenditure in compensation. He believed that the timber breastwork was a great mistake. It cost £2OOO, and would not be worth as many shillings. But while he found these faults he was not going to call the members of the City Council “softheads,” becanse he believed those gentlemen did a great deal of hard useful work for the city, and did their best, thongh they might not have knowledge which he himself was taught by his business. He again dwelt on the advisableness of encouraging the shipbuilding and foundry industries. Recently, he said, when he tendered for the Gorge railway contract, a Dunedin firm was the lowest tender for the iron work ; and that, he thought, was proof that the Wellington tradespeople in this line needed every encouragement. With regard to drainage, Mr Brown said a large amount of money had been expended, with the result. that the system was inadequate. The streams had been covered over, and they were too big for drains and too small for carrying storm water off; In seven years we had spent £38,000 in what was termed drainage, and when a system was started the whole of it would have to be gone over again. Drains could be made now to carry off any water, gravel, or sand. At present they saw the Corporation men engaged in clearing the drains with a hose, or tearing up the streets to get at the drains. That meant bad drains. The drains had been put down haphazard, by different people, and this was the result the city was coming to. As to the sanitary aspect of the question, the time would come when the bad effect of a defective system of drainage would be felt. In England, where these things were better understood, a monetary value was placed upon the estimated saving of life by good drainage. But of course no amount of money would compensate for the loss of life or health. Health, it had been said, was the poor man’s capital. He had a suggestion to make on this matter. The rate of expenditure on drainage had been £6300 per annum for six years. He believed a proper system should be Btarted. The question, was, as to the money. They could borrow say £60,000 at 4£ per cent; £4OOO a year would pay back interest and principle in twenty - five years. Thus good drainage could be obtained, and no more expenditure was required than had been going on for seven years—not so much in fact. Mr Fisher had made a statement to the effect that the Cfe had power to rate to Is 3d. The last Mv x : X ;.al Corporations Act gave that power, buu the Wellington Council had not taken it yet, and so far as he could see from the last statement tbeir finances were in a healthy condition. In conclusion, Mr Brown said it was not a question of Sam Brown or George Fisher, bat it was a question of whether the city was to revert back to the old system. He took opposite views to those of Mr Fisher, and he said this—that if the people . took Mr Fisher’s views they must bear in mind that the railway extension to Te Aro was something in the very dim future, and that a wharf at Te Aro was also in the very dim future. He (Mr Brown) was not a speaker—his action lay more in work ; and if he was elected he should endeavor to act so that at the end of his term the people would feel that their confidence had not been misplaced. (Prolonged applause.)

Mr J. Brown asked whether the candidate approved of the members of the Harbor Board being elected. Mr Brown said he had not considered that question, becanse the constitution was fixed by Act of Parliament. (Mr J. Brown: I’ll be there next year.)

In answer to further questions, Mr Brown said the ordinary wages in Wellington were about 8s a day for laborers, who, out of that, had to lose time,, so that very few made more than £2 a week. (This was in answer to a question pat by Mr J. Brown, as to whether he wonld be in favor of increasing the wharf laborers’pay.) Mr J. Brown then handed up a written list of questions. In answer to the first— Whether the candidate would be iu favor of reducing the salary of the Harbor Board Engineer to that of the Corporation Engineer

when the wharf improvements were completed ; and whether he wonld be in favor of reducing the salary of the Wharfinger, as that official had very little work to do—Mr Brown said these were questions which depended on circumstances. He could only tell them his experience, and that was that he paid his men the best wages, and he expected to get the best men to do the work. These were matters for those gentlemen whom the ratepapers eleoted to the Board. In answer to Mr Edwards, Mr Brown said the question whether the drainage should go into the harbor wonld be one for the Engineer. He thought he was at the Council when Mr Climie’s scheme was shelved, but be was not sure.

Captain Williams asked whether the candidate wonld be in favor of bringing abont a settlement of the long standing disputes between the Harbor Board and the City C uneil in reference to the face-line of the Te Aro reclamation.

Mr Brown said ho had stated already that, so far as he was able to understand, the question had been settled subject to certain details. He wonld, if elected, use his best endeavors to make the two bodies work harmoniously together.

Mr Midlane asked -the candidate whether he had ever directly or indirectly offered Mr George Fisher the sum of £IOO or £SO to retire from the contest. (Laughter.) Mr Brown ; I have not, either directly or indirectly, offered Mr Fisher fifty farthings. Mr J. E. Evans asked whether Mr Brown would endeavor to improve the present system of removing nightsoil fiom the city. Mr Brown said that was involved in his remarks npon the sewage of the city. While in the Council he submitted what he thought wonld be an improvement, and had designed a cart and a scheme by which the nightsoil was to be carried out to the Heads. He considered the present was a barbarous system. Another important matter was in connection with the removal of rubbish, which needed attention. Mr J. Brown asked whether the candidate was in favor of bringing the Contagious Diseases Act into force.

Mr Brown replied that that matter had been discussed in * the Council. It was rather a nauseous subject, and the Act, if brought into force, would have to be administered with very great discretion, since it gave such very great powers to one person. ■ • * , Mr J, E. Evans proposed, and Mr James Cattell seconded, a vote of confidence in Mr Brown.

The Chairman remarked that his opinion was that Mr Fisher should now allow someone'else to hold the office.

The motion, being put, was carried, about ten hands being held up against it. The proceedings then closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.

MR S. BROWN AT THE ALHAMBRA. Mr Samuel Brown, the other candidate for the Mayoralty, addressed a large meeting of ratepayers at the Alhambra Hall, Ade-laide-road, on Tuesday night. - The chair was occupied by Mr McDougall, who, in a few appropriate words, introduced the candidate. Mr Brown was well received, and expounded his views on the Harbor Board and Corporation face-line, and Te Aro Railway extension questions, in a speech of considerablelength, similar to that delivered by him the previous evening at the Athenaeum Hall. He was very favorable to having a railway at the Te Aro end of the city, and if they returned him He would do all in his power to procure one. He was very desirous of having the footpaths of Cook Ward asphalted. He explained that there was no money for making footpaths in Cook Ward - ithadbeen cutout of the loan originally. The loan itself, he said, had not been advantageous to Cook Ward, as a lot of the labor had been done by unemployed men, and the Council had paid them 4s 6d per day. Now, he said that the men had better take that than starve, and for that reason a cry had been raised that he thought 4s 6a per day enough for any working man. At the time he was dealing with the funds of the Corporation, so that it was a matter of indifference to him how much the men were paid. Mr Brown concluded amidst great applause. In reply to a question, Mr Brown said that he considered that all tb.e drainage should be done in the summer, instead of the winter. Mr M. Read proposed that a vote of confidence be accorded to Mr Brown. This was seconded by Mr Medley, and carried unanimously. The usual vote of confidence to the chair concluded the meeeting. RESULT OF THE CONTEST.

The election of a Mayor of Wellington for the ensuing year was the all-absorbing topic of the day on Wednesday in this city. The candates were Mr George Fisher, M.H.R. for South Wellington, and Mr Samuel Brown ; and public opinion seemed to be that they were well matched. In one respeet, at any rate, they were, viz., in what is commonly called “electioneering,” and the result of considerable energy and ability in this shape was that the election was keenly —though apparently very good naturedly—fought out. Very early in the morning the supporters of the respective candidates were all over the town working up the free and independent electors, and generally doing what they could to further the interests of “ their man.” The polling booth was at the City Council Chambers, which formed a temporary centre of gravitation to which all voting bodies were attracted. Here the the candidates themselves might be seen anxiously pacing the pavement in front of the Chambers, nodding to male and lifting hats to female voters, conversing earnestly with gentlemen of worried appearance, who were understood to hold positions of trust and responsibility on “the committee.”/ Around the doors of the polling booth a select crowd of people, who did not look like 1 voters—though for the matter of that the voter has riot established a characteristic individuality assembled, and amused themselves by making rude jokes upon the election and the candidates, and speculating gravely, upon the probable result of the contest. This was the state of things all through the morning. Between 12 and 1 o’clock there was a rush, and great was the excitement thereat. The rush, however, duly subsided, and things returned to their former condition. At 5 o’clock again, there was another rush, this time still more exciting, because the poll closed at 6. And at

6 the doors were cloßed. By this time a considerable crowd of people had assembled, although rather small consideringtheoecasion. They waited patiently around the doors of the Council Chambers until nearly 7 o’clock.. The doors were then opened, and the Returning Officer, Mr J. Ames, appeared and said something, the result of which was that the people immediately in front of him cried excitedly, “Hurrah for Brown !” What Mr Ames did say was that the result of the poll was as follows : Samuel Brown... ... ... 864 George Fisher ... ... ... 645

Majority for Mr Brown ... 219 Consequently, Mr Samuel Brown was elected Mayor of Wellington for the ensuing year. There was now a cry for the candidates ; and Mr Fisher, being observed ooming calmly along Brandon-street, was promptly waited upon by numbers of people who communicated to him the state of the poll. Mr Fisher walked on, to the footpath in front of the Council Chambers. Then he stood on the steps, and there was a rush. Having an audience in front of him, Mr Fisher, after apologising for speaking with his hat on, went on to address the crowd. He was going, he said, to take his defeat very good-naturedly. (Bear, hear.) He was not going to Bay anything unpleasant of any kind whatever ; but hejwould say this, that if they could understand properly and thoroughly the combination of forces which had been brought into play to produce this result, they would, he believed, marvel at the result. And this was not only a triumph to those forces —it was also a triumph against them (the people). There wa3 a good deal of the personal element involved in a contest like this, and every man who had any down —to use a colloquialism—upon him had had an opportunity of giving expression to his feelings in the course of this election. Further, this election had been made a vehicle for giving expression to the opinions of those people. He thought the result of the election was a very great result, taking into account the forces which had been brought into play. He was not at all down-hearted—(hear, hear)—and he asked them to bear in mind in future that the question they would have to consider, after they had been taught this very useful lesson, would be that when they ' got a man who had the courage to defend ■* their interests as he had, they would know how to appreciate him. There were few of them who knew what he had undergone in advocating and defending their interests. From all his public positions —and he had been in many—he had derived no personal or worldly advantage, though he might have done so to a very considerable extent, and he might have been, that day, in a pecuniary sense very much better off. However, he had no right to complain to them of his pecuniary losses. He pointed out that this was a triumph from which many of the people would suffer. He looked at the matter in this way, and he thought it a very great pity—a thing to be reflected on with compassionate feelings —that a number of men whom he had served so well in this city Bhould have allied their forces to those which were unquestionably inimical to their interests. For himself, his abstention from public life would be to him a personal gain. He assured them positively that the time was coming when they would be able to avail themselves of such lessons as these. There had been iu this election too mnch of the feeling of leaving the election to take care of itself. A number of people who ought to have organised to secure his election had not done so ; and though he admitted that the time was short, yet at the same time there should have been in the minds of those people whose interests he had defended so mnch in the past, not only a feeling of loyalty, but also au esprit de corps, in bring, ing their man to the poll. He knew that many men, when they saw the result of the poll, would be sorry for it next day. (Hear, hear.) But let them remember at the same time that it was due to their own inaction. (Hear, hear.) He had nothing to say against his opponent. They had been on good terms throughout the whole day. Mr Fisher went on to say, in conclusion, that the result of this election would be this—that he should expect them in future, when they requested him to contest any public position, to be.prepared to assure him of a very considerable amount of support. When he entered upon the election he did so to protect their interests. And he said now it was not they who had voted apainst him. He knew who it was, and, thongh he was not going to say there, he would tell any of them privately and quietly; and they would wonder if he explained to them, that he ever got where he was. (Hear, hear.) He had to thank them very heartily for the support that had been accorded to him. He had labored under the disadvantage that he occupied the position before, and many, he knew, had voted against him simply on the unreasoning plea that a new man should have a turn-—alto-gether forgetful of the very large questions that lay behind. He again thanked them for having recorded so many votes in his favor, and he hoped that when he again contested an election the result would be—(A voice: “The same.”) —reversed. Mr Brown was not present, and the crowd dispersed.

(united tress association.) O amaru, November 24.

The Mayoral election took place to-day. There were three candidates, Mr W. Christie (149), Mr J. Sinclair (85), and Mr T. Proctor (57). Hokitika, November 24. The election contests have excited public attention in the town and district all day: Mr James McGoldrick was elected County Chairman of Westland, and Mr H. L. Michel Mayor of Hokitika. Invercargill, November 24. The Mayoral election resulted in the return of Mr David Roche, who received 309, as against 239 for J. L. McDonald, the retiring Mayor.- ■ ' .• v Timartj, November 24. Mr Moss Jonas was elected Mayor of Timaru to-day, beating Mr John Jackson, who has been Mayor for four years now. The voting was—For Mr Jonas, 121; Mr JackBon, 89. Wanganui, November 24. For the Mayoralty election Mr James Laird received 244 votes, and Mr Henry

Nathan 123. This is the fifth time that Mr Nathan has" been defeated. Christchurch, November 24.

There was a close contest at the City Mayoral election to-day. The result was the return of the present Mayor, Mr Ayers, by a majority of five, the numbers being—Ayers 636, and Louiason 631.

The St Albans election was equally close, and resulted in the re-election of Mr Bull.

At Lyttelton Mr Harry Aliwright was re. turned by a good majority. Kumara, November 24. Mr Henry Barger was re-elected Mayor to-day, for the third year iu succession. The votes were —Mr Burger, 77 ; Mr Francis A. Olden (a Borough Councillor), 22.

Westport, November 24. Mr John Hughes was re-elected Mayor for the fourth time, by a majority of 47 oveir Mr J. G. Hay.

Blenheim, November 24. At the Mayoral election to-day Mr Donslin was elected by a majority of 34 over his opponept, Councillor Riley. The figures were—Douslin, 201 ; Riley; 176. The present occupant of the office was not a candidate.

Dunedin, November 24. Mr R. H. Leary was elected Mayor of Dunedin, beating Mr Carroll by a majority of 193. The voting was the heaviest ever polled.

Greymouth, November 24.

The Mayoral election resulted as follows * —Petrie, 172 ; Naucarrow, 108 ; Kilgour, 61. It was a very quiet, orderly election. The result was not unexpected.