THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2692, 16 December 1895, Page 2

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

PRESENTATION TO MR G. FISHEB. On Saturday evening a number of the friends of Mr George Fisher, the Mayorelect, met at Thomas’ Hall for tho purpose of presenting him with an address and a purse of sovereigns. Mr P. Coffey, chairman of Mr Fisher’s committee, who presided, referred with pleasure to his connection with the recent Mayoral election, and he thought they all ought to feel gratified with tho result and the manner in which it was carried out. During the course of the contest he had not hoard one unkind word said of either Mr Fisher or Mr Luke.

Mr J. Maginuity, in making the presentation, said that the onenUes of Mr Fiahor had declared that he was not to be heard of in politics any more, bnt his friends wore determined that this should not bo so. Mr Fisher’s success in the election was to be but the stopping-stone to a higher place, where Mr Fisher had been such a brilliant ornament. He refereed to the Legislature of the Colony. Ho then presented the address and purse of sovereigns to Mr Fisher, wishing him every success and prosperity in his office as Mayor, and a speedy return to Parliamentary privilegos. The address was ugned by Messrs P. Coffey (chairman of the committee), H. Beauchamp, F. W. Haybittle, J. Maginnity, H. Barber, E. Pearce, A. Lindsay, J. Lookio, J. Young, A. E. Kernot, C. Hill, G. H. Harbrow, G. fiiichardsonj A. E. Exley, J. McDowell and T. Beadnall, Mr Fisher said the election had almost been unprecedented in its success, it was a triumph, a most decisive win, audit indicatedthis, if nothing else, that there had begun to bo developed an interest in the minds of the people that these elections, whether Mayoral or Parliamentary, but particularly Mayoral, should not be allowed to go by unoontosted, and without the people saying what they folt in regard to the future of the city. Ho was proud and pleased with the result of the election, as it indicated that ho had still a largo number of friends. He went on to say that the city was growing, as was shown by tbo works it was undertaking, which formerly wore carried out by a higher body intermediate between the City Council and the Parliament of the country. Those were such works as drainage, proposed Town Hall, baths, markets (in regard to the latter, ho thought a vote of the people should be taken), abattoirs, trams (whether electric or otherwise), and the proper maintenance of the streets. When ho loft the Council ten years ago the total revenue was <£41,000, and it had now grown to <£7(5,000, thus giving to the city an increased revenue of £35,000 per year. The citizens had some right to ask what was being done with this additional sum per year. There was a waste of money going on—he did not speak at all disparagingly of the City Councillors, ho had no need to reflect upon them whatever, but ho did think there could bo a more judicious handling of the finances. He referred to the kindness he had received on all hands. The citizens had selected the candidate they in their judgment considered tne Jjbtter man, and the people having now reposed that confidence in him it became his duty in every possible sense to justify the verdict of the people. As to carrying on what the citizens 1 desired, ho would not bo found wanting in that respect. There was another issue involved in the election.lt hod been urged against him that if ho wore elected ho would present himself for Parliament, and he had frankly said that was the case, and ho now repeated the statement. If his friends stood to him at the next general election as they had stood by him in this—ho did not want to bo boastful, and say anything extravagant—but ho did not think there would be any difficulty in securing his return to Parliament. Ho would bo the most ungrateful man in the world if*he did not indicate to the fullest extent his gratitude for the kindness ho had received from all the ladies and gentlemen who had assisted him during tho election. They, had his warmest thanks for returning him, and for themselves they had tho consciousness of winning one of tho greatest, most exciting, most interesting and most decisive Mayoral elections ever contested in tho city of Wellington. Mr J. Beck referred to tho administrative ability cf Mr Fisher, and hoped that his success would lead to his return to Parliament. Mr F. W. Haybittle proposed a vote of thanks to tho “ Mayoress-elect, Mrs Fisher.” That lady, by her courtesy and ability, had endeared herself to tho sympathies .of tho great bulk of tho citizens of Wellington. He called for “ Three cheers for tho wife of Our George,” which were given. Mr Fisher responded on behalf of bis wife ; a vote of thanks was awarded the chairman, and the proceedings ended.