MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2463, 30 March 1909, Page 5

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

■ ' a® DEPUTATION TO ME J. It. KIRK, . . A deputation of representative'ratepayers waited upon Mr. J. R, S& yesterday morning, asked him to allow% : . himself to be nominated for a seat on K. : t»ie Borough Council at the approaching municipal elections, and presented: ; him with a requistiion sighed by several hundred borough electors, who promised him support. _ Mr. Kirk replied that he was pleased ; at the good feeling that was extended, the confidence shown, and the honor, done to him. During the past few weeks, he had been frequently urged, to allow himself to be nominated, but lie f could not make up his mind. It seem- Mj ed to him, however, that it might be ?! u rged that he had not been a resident | or Gisborne sufficiently long to warrant § him standing, and he had no desire s* whatever to attempt to again enter. 1 public life. His personal feelings were | . that be should have a rest for twelve months, during which time he could | : take' a passive interest in the affairs of I uie borough, and then, if desired, hisservices could be placed before the rate- . $ He had been so long, in. public Mslife that the halo which surrounded it fe lor many young men did not attract in f Ins case; and he knew that if he did j:; l ! take up the office it would mean hard jfL: work. He realised, however, that it § was the duty of those who could servo . the community to do so, and the sense IS; of that duty was weighing with him. * The members of the deputation >si pointed out that there was no rest || | difficulty in Mr. Kirk’s objection. Ho had been in Gisborne for six months and must have been able to gauge public affairs. But apart from, that view, 8f the fact that he had been Mayor of a. southern town for two years was suffi- |j cient guarantee of the value of his services. The requisition had been most' readily signed by all classes, and they were sure that it he allowed himself tobe nominated, the ratepayers would I gladly return him. After further discussion Mr. Kiri* f. intimated that he would give his an- 3 swer to-day. When seen on the subject by a. "Times” reporter last evening, Mr. $ Kirk intimated that he had not come jj to a definite decision, but it.was ex- fe tremely probable that he would accede i, to the wishes ,of the members or the l deputation.

Mr. J. R. Kirk, though still only a. little over 39 years of age, has had considerable experience in public life. !' He was for some years a member of the i Naseby Borough Council, and was twice £ elected Mayor of the borough, resign- ; ing that office last year to commence | practice as a barrister and solicitor in. Gisborne. He was a member of the 1 Maniototo District Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and a Trustee of the >'•. Naseby Hospital. Among other honor- | ary positions he has held are: Vice- 1 President of the Maniototo A. and P. | Association, Vice-president of the Nase-. | by Fanciers’ Club, President of the' ; New Zealand Curling Province, antt j various positions of honor in athleti* ; clubs. A number of prominent business peo- ••• | pie are requesting Mr. F. W. Riach, | manager for Messrs L. D. Nathan andi | Co. and a member of the Gisborne-- j School Committee, t<y_ consent to b& J' ~2 llliclent 6 to givi ngPliis consent. Mr. Riach has also had some experience as JK a Borough Councillor.

THE MAYORALTY

A meeting of Mr. W. Miller s Committee was held last evening at the Committee Rooms, Lowe Street;. Despite the inclement weather, there wasr a large attendance. Satisfactory reports were received of the work done during last week, and business was prepared to be dealt with by the general committee, which meets to-morrow night. CHRISTCHURCH MAYORALTY. [Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH. March 29. Mr. Charles Allison, the present- Mayor of Christchurch, informed a deputation that he will be a candidate ari the approaching elections for the Mayoralty.