NOMINATION FOB MAYOR OF LAWRENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 180, 20 July 1871, Page 4

NOMINATION FOB MAYOR OF LAWRENCE.

Saturday last, at noou, was appointed for the nomination of candidates for the honourable position of Mayor of Lawrence. There was a larger attendance in the Council Chamber on this occasion than we have seen for some years past. The Mayor, Mr. Bastings, occupied the chair, and, in opening the proceedings, said they had met under clause 26 of the Municipal Corporations Act of 1887, to nominate candidates whom . they considered suitable for the office of Mayor. He stated that there were four candidates proposed, viz:, Mr. YVnT. Uayes, Mr. W. Mears, Mr. Jonas flarrop, and their humble servant. The first mentioned two candidates, however, had stated before the meeting commenced that they had no desire to occupy the position, and in fact expressed themselves very desirous that he should again be returned to the post he had so long occupied. He would much rather had these gentlemen contested the election, and have allowed him. to retire, but they decidedly objected to that course. He hoped the ratepayers would not consider that he waa taking undue credit to himself when he said that during the next twelve months the Municipality would require at the head of affairs one like himself, who has had considerable experience in municipal matters. Hitherto they have had a paymaster in the Provincial -Government, but that paymaster has stopped payments to all the municipalities m the province ; afad when a public body is shorn of half its strength, it is necessary for a person who has some experience to be at the helm ri affairs, lie considered that the Tuapeka district had a perfect right to the R?ad Board subsidy. Last year a large amount of money voted was allowed to apse, while the amount for Road Boards wis exceeded by £10,000, expended chieflyin making and keeping up roads in agriultural districts. It occurred to himtlut the Municipality would require to like up the position of extending its bandaries, so that it can be brought undx the Koad Board subsidy. If this curse be not adopted, a manifest iujustje will accrue to the district. He took lie liberty of making these remarks by iiiy of preface to the business before thejmeeting. It might seem an anomalous position for him to occupy, still he ned hardly say that he had only one objel in view, and that was the prosperity | the district. As many of them werelware he had sacrificed a great deal for ie good of the community, and he thouit- they would give him credit for neve shirking any responsibility which had fr its object the advancement of the bodyjolitic- Having said this much to explaiihis own posi- ! tion and that of the othagentleman, J^f would now announce til names of tho j two candidates. I Jonas IJarrop, proposi by J» Mouat, and seconded by F. Mejjl - j Horace Bastings, prcJsed by George \ Jeffery, and seconded bit. M'Xirnmie. I Dr. Halley stated it Mr. Harrop also wished to retire. I had -consented to contest the election kdev the itnpre*i sion that Mr. Baatingspuld not.

The Mayor said he could not withdraw Mr. Harrop's name unless that gentleman came and personally expressed his wish thai.it Bhould be withdrawn. Mr. Harrop entered the room a few minutes afterwards, and expressed the ■wish to have his name withdrawn, which consequently was done. Mr. Keen asked if these were all the nominations. The Mayor— Not all. Mr. Keen — By whose authority were thoy withdrawn.

The Mayor — By the application of the candidates themselves.

Mr. Keen — Have you any power to return these nominations when they are once the property of the Municipality. I think you have no power to do so. The Mayor — Does Mr. Keen wish a legal opinion on the matter. I can't give a legal opinion, but if the Corporation solicitor is present, I must refer Mr. Keen to that gentleman. — (Laughter.) I can't give a legal opinion, but 1 can give a common sense and practical opinion. (Here the Mayor explained the circumstances of the candidates desiring to retire in his favour, referred to at the beginning of tha report, and said that it would be quite competent for Mr. Keen to take the matter before the Supreme Court.;

The Mayor then said the only candidate in the field was their humble servant. He thought it would be futile to get up an election if it was not required, as it would only be increasing expenses, and expending the ratepayers' money foolishly. He therefore declared Horace Bastings duly elected to the office of Mayor for the ensuing twelve months. — (Applause.) The meeting then broke up.