THE MAYORALTY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3244, 29 June 1872, Page 3

THE MAYORALTY.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir—The time for electing a Mayor for Dnnedin will soon arrive. As yet no candidates are spoken of, but from Avhat I know of Mr Fish, it is likely, nay, almost certain, that he will offer himself for re-election. He has got a good salary for his office, and he is not wanting in self-conceit. Presuming that he Avill have the assurance to ask for reelection, I may be pardoned for pointing out to my fellow-citizens such facts regarding the present Mayor's past candidatures as might, 1 think, be Aveighed by them in their selection of a Mayor.

When Mr Fish first contested the city his opponents were Messrs Birch and Dods. His main opposition to Mr Birch Avas that Birch had been Mayor for-somo timo, and was a member of the Assembly. Mr Fish in his speeches urged that the office should be a ''rolling one," and given to those Councillors that had fairly fulfilled tlieir duties. Mr Birch Avas elected, aud how Mr Fish lost his temper and abused, everybody at the declaration of the poD, few who Avere present can have forgotten.

Another election time came round, and this time the contest lay between Messrs Fish and Griffen. Again the office was to be a "rolling one," Mr Fish pledging himself that if he Avere elected, he Avould keep office for one year only, and Avould not seek reelection. At this election the religions element Avas introduced by some of Mr Fish's supporters ; and because Mr Gi-iffen was a Catholic, he Avas defeated. Tt is true many of Mr Griffen's vrarmest supporters v/ere Protestants, but still the bigoted cry of " he's a Catholic !" A\ ras raised by some of Mr Fish's supporters. Mr Fish was elected.

Last year most peoplo believed that Mr Fish Avould have kept his word, and not have sought re-election, but no such tiling. lie had two paltry excuses. The first Avas, that there Avere some candidates that wore not City Councillors. What ay.is that to MiFish . But well he kneAV that his only opponent- was Mr Thoneman, and against him his supporters directed all their artillery. Tliis time they raised a yet more bigoted cry than that against Mr Griffen. Air Thoneman Avas a foreigner ! and Britishers were r.sked to vote against Mr Thoneman in consequence. Mr Fish Avas re-elected, and at tbe declaration of the poll he became magnanimous. He stated that he should not stand again, and Avould, if Mr Thoneman stood next y°av, support him. We sliall sco—what we "shall sec!

There was another excuse, I have said, for Mr Fish's second candidature, and that AA ras that Mr Fish had been asked to stand for re-election. As if any one could not get rid of any pledge in this way ! Mr Fish ought to know that nothing is easier than getting up a requisition.

I expect that if he stands again he will also have this excuse ready. I say Ido not know of any candidates, but I think there are only two courses open to the ratepayers •

either they ought to elect some citizen other than Mr Fish as Mayor, or else they ought to urge the Assembly to pass a Bill giving Mr Fish the office of Mayor for his natural life. Of the changes of his policy I need not write. He has been Vogelite and antiVogehte—MacandreAvite and Reidite—by turns. All he desired was his office of Mayor, and, I think. I may add, the salary. Indeed, his keeping the office of Mayor will lead ono to believe in the doctrine of reincarnation propounded by Spiritualists. I may, however, say that I am

Not the Vicar of Bray. Dunedin, 28th June.