DEPUTATION TO THE MAYOR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14846, 25 February 1919, Page 6

DEPUTATION TO THE MAYOR.

A deputation of about fifty business men waited upon the Mayor (Mr W. G. Sherratt) this afternoon to ask him to reconsider his decision not to stand as Mayor of the town. Cr. J. S. Wauchop was voted to the chair, on th© motion of Cr. H. De Costa, seconded by Cr. H. Miller. In his remarks Cr. Wauchop referred to the good work done by the Mayor for the town in the strenuous times just past. He also referred to- the good work done by the Mayor in the epidemic. With the soldiers coming home, employment would have to be found for them to obviate the possibilities of turmoil. He must also mention the good work done by Mrs Sherratt — (applause) — which almost exceeded what the Mayor had done. He hoped the Mayor would see his way clear to reconsider his decision in the matter. Letters were received and read from Sir James Carroll, Messrs C. A. de Lautour, Jex-Blake, A. M. Lewis, and Adair supporting the deputation's lequest. Messrs F. J. Lysnar, G. K. Pasley, G. Stock spoke iii support of the request to the Mayor, all pointing out the ability of His Worship, who with his knowledge of finance would be hard to replace. They felt they could not let Mr Sherratt go without a strenuous effort to retain his leadership. Similar, remarks were made by Messrs E. T. Doddrell, C. H. Ambrid'ge, and F. Hall. A letter tendering sincere thanks to the Mayor and Mayores was received from the ladies, and bearing 60 names of representative ladies asking him to reconsider nomination. The Mayor said he appreciated th© remarks made, but he did not feel that he had earned them. He had always done his best in tho interests of the town. He felt it was impossible to keep in office, as his interests were out of town. He was also subject to rheumatism. Hei felt he was not physically able to keep on in view of the important matters which were ahead of the Borough. He asked the deputation to permit him to reserve his decision until tomorrow, and he would consult Mrs Sherratt in the matter in the meantime. (Applause.) The letter from the ladies was as follows : — "We, the undersigned lady electors of the Borough of Gisborne, take this opportunitv of tendering yon our sincere thanks for many wood works undertaken by Mrs Sherratt and yourself during your past term of office as chief Magistrate of the town, and j would especially mention the recent un- *. fortunate visitation af the influenza epiJ demie where we had occasion to notice , tho energetic and unselfish way in which you and your wife so noblv worked in the public interests, and we learn with , regret that vou are not contemplating i seeking re-election this year, and would ' therefore urge you to seriously consider whether yon could not again, in the public interest, find enough time to take on the office as Mayor for another term, I as by so doing we feel assured that- at this critical juncture it would be for the public crood, and if a citizen can assist hi? fellow-men now is the time to do it. We therefore trust that you will give this matter careful thought and allow us to nominate you for this high office."