MAYOKAL ELECTIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7723, 18 November 1886, Page 3

MAYOKAL ELECTIONS.

The nomination of candidates to fill the office of mayor for tho borough of Port Chalmers took place at noon yosterdiSy in the Town Hall. Very little interest was displayed by tho ratepayers, as only nine persons in all were present, these including the two candidates, tho returning officer, and representatives of the press.

Me A. Leek (returning offlot-r) read the following nominations:—B. O. Allen,proposed by J. Cable and seconded by N. 0. Schumacher; and D. A. Db Maus, proposed by J. B. Taylor and seconded by D. Leo.

Mr Allen said he would not take up the time of the meeting by any lengthened speech, but would say a very few words on matters of general interest and-importance to the town. He -.was very glad to say that during the past year the borough council had kept within £370 of the estimated expenditure of last year. The bank overdraft was entirely done away with, and the taxes had been considerably reduced. The special rate was a thing of the past, and at present the general rate was fixed at Is. This, he thought, must bo -satisfactory to them all. During the ensuing} ear he hoped to have the honour of laying the foundation stone of tho new municipal and public offices at Fort Chalmers, and added his motive for again seeking their suffrages was that at the present moment works of great importance in connection with the town rendered it undesirable that any change should take place in tha office of mayor at present, even though a better man should be found. Should tha ratepayersthinkit desirable he should have great pleasure in addressing them at length on municipal matters.

Mr Da Mads said he need hardly point out how surprised he was to see any other candidate besides himself come forward for the mayoral ohair this year. JJTas the office of mayor a life one, or was it a rolling one? He considered it to be a great injustice to the citizens at large that any man should continuously hold office, and if his opponent was so anxious to serve the xatepayrrs, let him take for this year a subordinate place. It was stipulated last year that the present mayor only desired to see the dock trust established and its projects carried out, when he would retire, but he was afraid ho bad found out/it would be a long timo before the dock trust affairs were sett.cd. It would take at least six mouths before they could receive any report from their representative (Mr Elder) and then it would take other six months to consider what should next be done; and indeed it was very difficult to tell when the project would be carried out. In the meantime it appeared to him that he and other Buitable candidates were to be kept in the cold. Like his opponent, to should be very glad to meet the ratepayers and explain his views. Mr Allen proposed a vote of thanks to the returning officer, and the meeting closed.