THE MAYORALTY.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15043, 10 April 1919, Page 5

THE MAYORALTY.

DEPUTATION TO RETIRING

MAYOR

MR SNODGRASS TO SEEK RE-

ELECTION

A large and influential deputation of citizens, numbering over seventy persons, and including city councillors and several ladies, waited upon the Mayor (Mr W. W. Snodgrass) at the City Council Chambers yesterday to ask him to consent to nomination for a second term of office. .

Mr C. J. Harley, who was the chief { spokesman, said that the deputation, which was the largest he had seen wait upon any gentleman to ask fiim'io take a position, desired, that Mr Snodgrass should "stand for the Mayoralty again. Mr Snodgrass might well be flattered at the large attendance _of representativecommercial and business men. Mr Snodgrass was elected two years ago, and during his term of office he had had a very strenuous time. Nothing had given him (the speaker) greater satisfaction than to see the very competent manner in which Mr Snodgrass had conducted everything pertaining to the matters of the war. No person, he said, had taken such an active interest in the soldiers as the Mayor (loud applause), or done so much for their welfare, and the: deputation also felt .-that Mr Snodgrass should occupy the Mayoral chair r wften peace was proclaimed. Now that the war'was practically over he would have an opportunity" to -'display his talents in a municipal capacity, if Mr Snodgrass would accede to their request be was sure the deputation would pledge itself to secxire his return. _ (Applause.) j Mr W.. S. Hampson said* that during his.twelve years' service as a councillor, no man had filled the position of Mayor better than "Mr Snodgrass. He believed if a progressive municipal policy was inaugurated—and he hoped it would—Mr Snodgrass would be able to successfully lead the Council. He had filled the office of Mayor faithfully and well in trying circumstances and he was sure, j if he consented to nomination, he would; be elected by a large majority. Mr T. A. H. Field, M.P., endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers, and spoke of the energy which Mr Snodgrass has displayed in carrying out bis Majoral duties. He referred to the un-i I provement in the city .finances during 'the past two years,, and hoped that Mr ! Snodgrass would allow himself to be | nominated again. Mr W..C. Harley, as a.returned sol- ; dier, regretted that the Returned Sol- ! diers' Association was una*ble as a body, j owing to its constitution, to have any i I voice in the matter 2 but on behalf of many returned soldiers, he confirmed their desire that Mr Snodgrass should seek re-election. He agreed that there was no other man: in Nelson who had done more for: the soldiers than Mr Snodgrass, and they were anxious tfiat he should continue to occupy the-posi-tion.

r Mr R. B. Witty, as district repatriation officer, acknowledged the assistance received from the Mayor. As a ratepayer he was quite satisfied that the 'successful term of the Council was largely due to Mr Snodgrass'. energy and initiative. As acting chief clerk of: the council he had had a unique opportunity of learning .the.Mayor's wonderful-attention to detail • arid observing the moral courage he had displayed in tackling unpleasant problems.

Mr A. Barclay, as a union member, said that Mr Snodgrass had carried out his duties faithfully and fearlessly, and he hoped he would s seek re-election. Mr Snodgrass, who was received with applause,, said be felt much flattered by the representative character of the deputation, He thought the fact that the Council had increased the rates by id might lead citizens to think that they did not want him any more. : He was very glad indeed to have been associated with the present council, which had carried out its duties in a conscientious manner, and in the best interests of the citv^ He was also gratified to have the soldiers' assurance of support. He was pleased to accede : to their request (loud applause) for two reasons, (1) because their presence showed that he had been of some, service to tbe:eitv: and .<%) that he would like to be thp mayor of the city when the peace celebrations took place. He. would look back on what he had been able to do as some little help towards wanning the war. (Applause). Mr Harley. on behalf, of the deputation then thanked Mr Snodgrass for acceding to the request. • = Orvthe motion of Mr Fell seconded by Mr Hampsop, it was unanimously resolved that in the eyeriE 6f an election, ill persons. preaent pledge themselves to vote and work for Mr Snodorass