Te Aroha Mayoralty

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4382, 6 March 1909, Page 2

Te Aroha Mayoralty

MR R. L. SOMERS CONSENTS TO STAND. INFLUENTIAL DEPUTATION. Last even ins: an influential deputation of some 2 5 business ant representativ t citizens of Te Aroha, waited on t.be Mayor, R L. Somers, Esq., with a view to endeavouring the Chief Magistrate to reconsider his decision to stand for the Mayoralty of the town for the ensuing twelve months. The deputation was briefly introduced by Mr P. Baine, and the R ‘v. P. Cleary in well-chosen words read a petition sign n d by some 250 burgesses unanimously expressing the hope that Mr Somers would consider the welfare of the town, district, mid inhabitants by allowing himself to be nominated for another twelve months’ term of office.

Mr Cleary stated th it Mr Soumrs had been the most progressive Mayor Te Aroha ever had the good fortune to preside over the township interests since the Borough's inception. What was wanted to fid ihe Mayoral chair was a man of (act, ability, addresses, and general bon homei, and these qualifications Mr Somers possessed in a full degree. -This was also the full and unanimous opinion of the burgesses of the township as amply evinced by the generous petition he was there to preseut. Important and progressive works had been undert dren daring Mayor Somer’s term of office—the most successful three years the Borough had experienced—and it was but right and proper that the burgesses should wish and pray that Mr Somers would allow himself to see these works carried to a successful issue. The petition was then read amidst loud applause Mr Somers, in rising co respond said that no human man could fail to be moved at the words of the petition and petitioners He considered when he gave his decision not to stand, that he had encased himself in invulnerable armour, but al is th it armour had proved vulnerable, and the arrows of the petitioners had pierced it. He could only say that he was deeply moved at the renewed expressions of confidence shown him, and he would be more than human if he failed to allow himself to be nominated to the position of Chief Magistrate of the town, after . the evidence of ample confidence and goodwill shown towards him (loud applause). He therefore had very great pleasure in acceding to the wish of the petitioners as brought forward by the deputation. Councillor Hubbard eulogised the worth of Mayor Somers, and the good feeling that had always existed in the Council during Mr Somers’ term of occupancy. H e felt sure he but echoed the opinion of brother Councillors when he stated that the greatest pleasure would bo evinced by all in hearing Mr Somer’s determination that evening. Mr R lyner, on behalf of the business men of this town, congratulated the deputation on the successful issue of their mission, and stated the result would be gratifying to all their speakers referred to in similar strains to the fitness and progressive ability of Mr Somers to fill the Mayoral chair. The deputation then withdrew.