THE MAYORALTY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3705, 14 December 1912, Page 7

THE MAYORALTY.

MR, PETITE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION.

A PROJECTED TOUR OF EUROPE. SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY. T ]i ° Mayor (Mr. W. Pettie) informotl a ‘Gisborne Times’ ’ representative yesterday that he had deckled not to seek re-election 'when his present term or office expired. He explained that he had no in tent-ion of standing for re-election when his first term expired, but he had retained the position for close on three years. He was first appointed Deputy Mayor, and on the resignation of Mr. Yv. D. Lysnar he was elected Mayor by the Council. At the expiry of the term he found himself bound to submit himself to the ' ratepayers, and they had honored him by electing him without opposition. He had not arrived at the decision to relinquish the 31 ay oral chair recently, and it was not through any criticism cr annoyance that made him take the step. He had for some time contemplated a tour of Europe, and he intended to leave next year, so that if lie was returned to office he would be unable to complete the term for which lie' was elected. He also thought that- three years was a long enough period for anyone to retain tlie position, and that it should go round, but while the duties were arduous and strenuous the Mayoralty was a position that anyone should feel proud of. He was trying to get as much of the work finished as he could during the few months that remained, as. it was only fair to the gentleman that followed him. There was no chance of the works all being completed with the next term, and it was just as well that a change should be made now as later on