N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1886.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 769, 26 November 1886, Page 16

N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1886.

Notwithstanding the somewhat unfavourable position in which be was unexpectedly placed by Mr Fisher’s sudden candidature at the . last moment, and contrary to the expectation even o£ many of his supporters, Mr Samuel Brown succeeded on Wednesday in winning the mayoralty election by the large majority of 211 votes. We regard this result as satisfactory from several points of view. Mr Fisher, however efficiently he may have formerly discharged the mayoral duties, had held the office for several years, and it is not desirable that such positions should be monopolised by one individual. In the second place Mr Brown’s views respecting the question at'issue between the City Council and the

Harbour Board touching the Te Aro reclamafi6n, are,;l in' //our opinion, sounder than thoSe/expressed by Mr Fisher. And, ' thirdly, we cannot deem it desirable -that the very peculiar system of electioneering tactics pursued on this occasion should be rewarded with success, or that such encouragement should be given for their repetition. It was optional with Mr Fisher to stand or not to stand. But having decided to retire, it would have been better had he adhered to that decision ; ana having distinctly pledged himself to withdraw if Mr Brown addressed the electors, it is not easy to see how he can reconcile with that very explicit and public pledge his subsequent perseverance in the contest. However, the. battle is ~ over, and we do not wish to say a single ungracious word about the defeated candidate. We cordially recognise that he has done the ratepayers good service in the past, both as Mayor and as Councillor, and his defeat on the present occasion is largely due to the injudicious manner of his candidature. We heartily congratulate Mr Samuel Brown on his well-earned accession to the chief civic honour, and we feel confident that he will fulfil the duties qf his high office with ability and credit.The good-humoured and orderly way in which the election was conducted, notwithstanding that party feeling ran rather high, is very honourable to this city.. Few contests of such severity have ever been carried out with such good temper and absence of any disorder, although it should in fairness be added that Wellington of late years has deservedly borne a high character in this respect. Mr Arthur Brown, the retiring Mayor, will leave office with the gratifying knowledge that he has acquitted himself well and efficiently, and that lie has worthily exercised the functions entrusted to him by his fellow citizens; 'whose good opinion he has effectually won. We have no doubt that we shall again see him. taking a prominentplace in Wellington politics.. We trust that the new Mayor will enjoy a successful and prosperous year of' office, and that his practical knowledge and business ability will prove of great service to the citizens of Wellington.