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THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

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THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION. We briefly stated in our last issue that Mr. G. J. May had decided to enter the lists for a place in the Town Council, vacant by the retirement of four members in rotation. Mr. Irish having declined, shortly after our announcement, to contest the elec- tions, the struggle, therefore, for the honour of a seat was the more vigorous, in consequence of the opposition being limited, and in order to render "assurance doubly sure," Mr. May's friends can- vassed the town, and "open house "was given at the principal committee rooms for all his supporters. Mr. May's circular announcing his intention appeared to have been the signal for the issue of a series of "squibs," harmless in themselves, although shewing in some instances that an educated hand had been at work on them. Mr. H. Lake in a poster repudiated the connection of his name with Mr. May's on the voting papers. Mr. May returned the compliment by a similar poster, and by issuing coloured slips with the words, "Plump for May, cheap gas, and more light." The latter expression forming a bve-word throughout the day. This was squibbed" by the following placard Gentlemen,-As there are six gentlemen nominated for four seats at the Council Board, and only four seats, the best interests of the Borough will be studied by returning the four retiring members. MAY is altogether out of place in NOVEMBER. The other new candidate may he a REGU- LAR BRICK in the Brickfield, but in this instance let him see that NO IRISH NEED APPLY. When their services are required a requisition, signed by the whole of the Bur- gesses, will be forwarded to each of them by your obedient servant, WHO IS HE ? The supporters of the retiring members then received a rejoinder in a "cut direct," which was followed by another poster, signed The Man with the Wooden Leg," when a bill announcing a Grand Cricket Match at the Town-hall, between the Mayor and May, for 1750, and a seat at the Council," capped the climax of the fusilade, which began to assume a slightly personal though amusing character. On Monday Mr. May's committee rooms were at Price's spirit vaults and the King's Head Inn, both houses opposite the ball, where the voters, who had been well worked up by the canvassers and supporters of Mr. May, were allowed refreshments. Excitement and popular feeling began at an early hour to exhibit itself, but only in humourous remarks written and posted on to boards of the Town-hall, informing the burgesses that "Spectacles were wanted to give a correct report that the four old uns were all right that the chain was broken;' that" May was stumped out," and that the mare had won in a canter." At 12 o'clock the first official notice of the state of the poll was issued, when the numbers were- Davies 136 Lake 135 Player 126 Thomas 117 May 68 Irish 0 A dense crowd, which wedged up the approaches to the hall, cheered the announcement of the num- bers most vehemently, a long string of voters, who gave May a plumper," receiving quite an ovation as they left the King's Head committee rooms. The next notice was affixed at one o'clock, when the numbers we,e- Davies 160 Lake 159 Player 152 Thomas 139 May 91 Irish 0 No other announcement was issued before the close of the poll, the crowd increasing every moment, and becoming still more excited. The doors closed at 4 p.m., and at 4.30 the large room of the Town-hall was thrown open, the councillors hav- ing obtained places at the foot of Miss Stanley's platform. Some minutes elapsed before anything like order could be obtained, the impatience of the densely packed crowd finding vent in cheers, shouts, and remarks. After patiently waiting for some minutes, Sankey Gardner, Esq:, the returning officer, said it had been a matter of great satisfac- tion to him to know that the election had so far been conducted with exceeding good temper and absence of feeling throughout. He thought it was extremely creditable to the town, and, though the numbers he should announce were as nearly as pos- sible correct, the official declaration would not be made for a day or two, when he had no doubt there would be but a slight alteration in the figures- Mr. Philip Davies 339 „ Henry Lake 324 „ W. J. Player 311 „ R. Th mas 283 George May 224 The number of burgesses who voted is 477 The usual scene followed, and calls were made for the successful candidates. Mr. P. Davies then rose to address the meeting, but the continued uproar prevented anything like a fair hearing. He said Fellow burgesses,—I am indebted to you again for this honour of re-election. I am indebted to no less than 339 gentlemen who have voted for me to day, and have, for the fourth time, allowed me the honour of addressing you and thanking you. It shall be my study to serve your interests, and to watch over your health and the means of improving it for, gentlemen, health briags wealth, and health and wealth together should bring happiness, and without that you can do nothing. It has been the study of the council to get you that great boon. [A voice What about the drainage ?] (Roars of laughter.) Of that you shall hear again, only be patient. A little feeling has sprung up in reference to carrying our measures, but that will subside, and what is necessary, depend upon it, we shall d6 in the coming year of 1869. A little fresh blood will then be infused, but let it come forth with a good feeling in the contest, and we will support it. (Cheers.) I can only say I thank you for the honour you have conferred upon me, and I shall unflinchingly do my duty. A Voice: We want to hear about the sewage. (Cheers, and cries of "Lake, Lake.") Mr. Lake attempted to speak, but was almost inaudible. He said he had ever done his duty in the council, and had always acted for the benefit of the public as well as for himself, and that all the improve- ments carried out had been done in the most economical manner possible. He was glad they had returned the old members, for they had done their best, and their return was a proof that the electors thought so. (Cheers.) Mr. Player, on being called for, responded. He said I am extremely obliged to the burgesses for this instance of their renewed confidence. (Cheers.) It proves at least that you are not insensible to my efforts to make the town more as it should be (inter- ruption), in carrying out improvements and useful alterations. (Cheers.) I do not wish to give offence: my aim has been to benefit the place, and it shall still be so. (A voice: What about the sewers?) Some gentleman has alluded to the sewers. A great deal of that work has been done, but to-night I can only hope none will be found in the gutters. (Roars of laughter, amidst which a call was made for Mr. Thomas.) Long and continued cheers greeted Mr. Thomas as he stood up to reply. He said I sincerely thank you for the honour conferred on me by this re- election. I wish to pursue the same course for the welfare of this town as I have hitherto done. It has been my study to carry out improvements-(A voice: What about the income tax?" The inter- ruption was good humouredly taken, and amidst a tremendous roar of laughter Mr. Thomas shook his umbrella playfully at the noisy crowd, and retired.) Mr. P. Davies then said Gentlemen,—We are largely indebted to our chairman, the assessors, and principally, I must say, to the Town Clerk, for the trouble they have taken and the impartiality with which they have conducted this day's proceedings. I beg to move a vote of thanks to them. Tire proposal was seconded by Isaac Morgan, Esq., and carried nem. con. Loud cries of "May, May," then followed, and his appearance was the signal for a terrific round of applause and cheering from all sides. After a few moments he attempted to speak, but the reception had evidently affected him, and his emotion was too much for his utterance. He at length said Gentlemen Allow me to thank you for your kind support to-day. (Cheers). Although I am not successful this time, I am not beaten yet. I intend to come forward again. (Cheers.) Although I have lost,—(A voice It is vour own fault you've lost to day,")—I hope next time I shall have fair play. I am greatly obliged for the support you have given me, and only hope for the same next time. (Cheers, and cries of You shall have it," amidst which Mr. May left ihe room.) The proceedings then closed at the hall, but on Mr. Davies making his appearance at the gates he was honoured by a "chairing" to his house. A few hours afterwards the town resumed its usual quiet appearance, and all traces of the day's excite- ment appeared to have vanished.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS.

----------BEAUFORT.

I SALMON CULTURE, AND THE…

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