THE MAYORALTY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVI, Issue 992, 21 November 1883, Page 3

THE MAYORALTY.

The only candidate nominated on Monday last for the office of Mayor of the Borough of Lawrence was Mr Michael Fraer, proposed by Mr John Morrison, and seconded by Me Peter Miller. The Returning Officer (Mr TJren) declared Mr Fraer duly elected for the ensuing year. There were about a dozen ratepayers present when the nomination-paper was read:

Mr Morrison said that as the proposer of Mr Fraer for the Mayoral office, he presumed that it was his duty to say something. He regretted to see such a small attendance at the nomination ; it denoted that the interest taken in such proceedings by the ratepayers was trifling — a fact which he deplored. So far as he was concerned (and without speaking disparagingly of Mr Fraer), he would just as 3oon have nominated some other gentleman for the office ; for he did not believe J in one individual having a monopoly of such an important office. It should certainly be a rolling-office. While deploring this apathy generally in Municipal matters, he (the speaker) was led to ask himself : What is the cause of this apathy 1 Is it because business with the townspeople is in such a languishing state that they have not the heart to accept office ? or is- it that business is so flourishing that they can't afford time to attend to the duties of office ?— [A Voice : That's the reason]— or is it that no one dare confront such a formidable opponent as Mr Fraer in Muuicipal contests ? If the latter is the real reason — if our leading townsmen are deficient in moral courage and are afraid to face Mr Fraer —then he presumed they must look upon that worthy gentleman as a kind of perennial Mayor. — (A laugh.) He (the speaker) would admit that there were breakers ahead; the Council had undertaken certain works, and before these were finished, a large sum of money would be required. It was necessary, therefore, that a gentleman possessed of qualifications like 'Mr Fraer should be in office at the head of affairs. He hoped that all the Councillors would pull together unitedly, and endeavor to act in concert in furthering the best interests of the town. Differences of opinion were certain to exist; occasional "breezes" would spring up— in fact, these could not be avoided. The speaker had noted as one of Mr Fraer's characteristics that he was of a forgiving disposition and did not entertain spite against those who were opposed to him in any public matter. Mr Fraer did not exactly know how to accept the half-and-half compliments of his proposer, Mr Morrison. He would simply mention, however, that he (Mr Fraer,) had no desire to be regarded as a kind of perpetual Mayor : he had some difficulty in making up his mind whether he should again accept office. There were three or four members of the Counoil as well qualified as himself to hold office as Mayor, and if any of these gentlemen had signified their intention of coming forward, he would not have sought election. He thoroughly believed in the office of Mayor being a rolling-one, but he thought the selection of eligible candidates should be confined to those who had borne the heat and burden of the day, and had served an apprenticeship (as it were) at the Council table. With regard to the drainage works, there were several parties who thought that he should again accept office, for the V6ry reason that these works had been initiated during his term, and that he should not leave office until they were completed. He was aware that it would take all his superfluous energy to get the works carried out, but with the assistance of the several members of the Council, he trusted that success would crown -his efforts. The speaker then referred to the courteous way in which h« had been treated during his term of office, and concluded by expressing 'the hope that at the end of another twelve month* the ratepayers would be as well satisfied then as now with his conduct as Mayor. The usual vote of thanks to the Returning Officer concluded the proceedings.