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--.-ELECTION OF MAYORS. j

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ELECTION OF MAYORS. j WREXHAM. At the annual Coiincil meeting for the election of Mayor there were present the Mayor (Alderman Strachan), Aldermen E. Smith, J. Oswell Bury, and John Williams, Councillors Walter Jones, W. E. Samuel, J. Beale, David Jones, B. Owen, W. Pierce, Richard Jones, J. B. Murless, W. J. Sisson. J. Gittins. J. Prichard, and S. T. Baugh Mr Thomas Bury, town clerk Mr J. W. M. Smith, borough surveyor Mr D. Higgins, sanitary inspector. A considerable number of the general public also assembled in the Council Chamber, and upon the table in addition to the mace was also placed the handsome loving cup presented to the Corpora- tion by Mr J. fl. Leech, of Garden, on the occasion of Sir Watksn's return t,) Parliament in 186S. THE ELEC TION OF MAYOR. The Town Clerk having announced that this was the:first business, Ald. J. Oswell Bary said he rose with great pleas uretopropose as mayor Mr Councillor J. B. lurless. Twelve years ago, after being returned at the head of the poll, Mr Murless was elected chief magistrate of that borough, and had dis- charged the duties of that high offiso with infinite credit to himself and satisfaction to the ratepayers. (Hear, hear.) Then, as now, Mr Murless possessed the good opinion and respect of the inhabitants, and he was sure no greater proof could be brought forward of Mr Murlefis, popularity at the present time than the fact that he was, on a recent occa- sion, returned by a triumphant majority as coun- cillor representative of one of the most important wards of the borough. (dear, hear.) He was sure there was no necessity for him to tell them of Mr Murless' go,Jd qualities or of his capabilities to fill the office in a satisfactory minuer because they had already had isuiffcient proof I of that, and he was sure that by his courteous manner and business qualifications exhibited on a previous occasion he certainly merited election that day. (Applause.) He trusted this election would be unanimous and that they would have the same satisfaction at the end of his period of office as was experienced on the former occasion, also that they should be able to look back to his year of office as one which had been spent in doing good for the town and for the benefit of the ratepayers. (Applause.) Mr W. E. Samuel said he begged to second Mr Alderman Bury's nomination that Mr Murless fill the civic chair for the ensuing year. He could fully endorse all that had been said by Mr Alder- man Bury respecting Mr Murless, who was one of the moat popular mpn in the district-(hear. hear) —and although he had not been a member for the last twelve years he had lost none of his old repu- tation, and his recent election fully bore this out. (Applause.) Since the town had been divided into wards he did not think there was one member who had polled so large a number of votes as Mr Murless did at the last election. (Hear, hear) It would be useless for him to sound Mr Murless' praises, which were known throughout the district, and he hoped Mr Murless, if he was returned to fill the chair that day-aud he felt conSdent that he would be—would have a prosperous year of office, and he knew it would be said at the end of the term that Mr Murless had presided over the proceedings of that Council in that fair and im- partial manner which had characterised the con- duct of his predecessor. (Applause.) The Mayor: Has any other gentleman a candi- date to propose ? Mr Walter Jones said he rose to propose another gentleman of certainly equal ability. It was a painful position for him to be placed in-Mr Murless and himself being such old friends—but he felt it to be his bounden duty. He had known Mr Murless from the first day he came to Wrexham, and he admired his conduct all through, but as a matter of principle he must really protest against one thing, and that was this. If there was any person equally capable and willing to take the office of mayor, then those honors should be conferred annually upon one who was fit and competent. He objected most emphatically either to continue continuity of office or re-election. Those honors ought to be divided amongst the younger members if they were willing to accept them. (Hear, hear.) Mr Murless did his duty admirably ,during the year he was mayor, and he was only sorry he could not say of his two friends sitting next to next— How happy could I be with either Were t'other dear charmer away! (Hear, hear.) As it was, however, they must face the fact. He was going to propose Mr Councillor Baugh, a gentleman who had served the town and neighbourhood well, and who for a quarter of a century had been a member of the Board of Guardians, acting as deputy-chairman for more than half that period, and his labors had been in. fatigable. (Applause.) He had fulfilled his duties worthily, and possessed the esteem of his fellow- townsmen and he did not know if he were to look all around Wrexham that he could find any person more fitted to fill the chair for the ensuing year than Mr Baugh. (Hear, hear.) He had never heard but one objection to Mr Baugh, and that was to his idea a most frivolous one. viz., that he was not a large ratepayer. If, however, Mr Baugh was not a large ratepayer, he represented, as agent, very large ratepayers, and he might say that he thought it was partially under- stood last year when Mr Baugh was put up to be knocked down by one, that he was to be unani- mously elected this year. But, as Dizzy said, 41 Many things have happened since then (Iaughier)-many things had transpired to change the current of events. He might say, however, that there was not one gentleman in that room who could challenge Mr Baugh's perfect and abso. lute fitness to occupy the office of mayor. lAp. plause.) Mr B. Owen rose with great pleasure to second the nomination. As Mr Walter Jones had already said, Mr Baugh was a gentleman eminently quali- fied to fill the office. He had been a member of the Board of Guardians for 25 years, and had oc- cupied the important position of viocuairman of that body. When he (the speaker) came into that Council he felt himself entirely free trom any sect or party, and when he voted last year for the pre- sent Mayor, he felt he was entitled to the honor by virtue of his long office. Mr Baugh had only lost by one vote, and it was generally understood that those who sup. ported Mr Strachan last year would support Mr Baugh this. He had therefore felt it his duty since then to support Mr Baugh, and he should verv much regret if there was any party feeling brought into that Council in connection with this matter, (Ap- plause.) Personally he thought those of older standing should take the chair, and he thought the present election would now only hang upon one vote. Mr W. Pierce said he had hoped that Mr Baugh would have been elected mayor without any oppo- sition, but he was sorry to see that this would not be the case. In supporting Mr Baugh, he did not intend to introduce party feeling at all and he said this verv sincerely. (Hear, hear.) He did so for the reason that he supported Mr Strachan last year, when he thought Mr Strachan had then the greatest claim the chair, having been in the Council for some years, and his office of Alderman terminating this year he would not have another opportunity. Well, he must say that he had never regretted the wote he gave last time, (Hear, hear. ) Mr Straehan, with his warm heart, genial countenance and kindly grip—(hear)—had fulfilled the duties of his office with credit to himself and satisfaction to the Council. (Applause.) That he thought every- one would endorse. He now ventured to think, however, that his friend Mr Baugh's claim was greater than that of any of the Council. Mr augh had been a member of the Council some years, and his term of office would expire next wear. Mr Baugh Two years, Mr Pierce. Mr Pierce (continuing) said he did not presume to speak of the qualifications of Mr Baugh as they probably all knew them better than he (the iopeaker) did, bat he sincerely hoped that this year Mr Baugh would be elected. (Applause.) He was happy to welcome MrMurless to the Council. (Hear, hear.) Some years ago he had served the office of Mayor very ably and most liberally, but he thought Mr Mjurless could now afford to wait another twolvo months -(hear, hear) —and then he should have quite as much pleasure in voting for Mr Mnrless as he now had in voting for Mr Baugh He thought, for the make of courtesy to an old and valued public man, they should elect Mr Baugh this year. He knew Mr Murless had a majority of friends in that room, but he trusted, as he said before, that, as a mere matter of courtesy Mr Baugh would be elected. (Applause.) The votes were then taken with the following reault:- For Mr Murless. For Mr Baugh. The Mayor, Councillor Walter Jones, Alderman Smith, Prichard, » Bury. tv B. Owen. „ Williams. W. Pierce. Councillor David Jones, It J. B. Murless, S. T. Baugh, J. Gittins, ,u W. E. Samuel, Richard Jones, „ W. J. Sisson. „ J. Beale. The Mayor I suppose I give mv casting-vote, Mr Town Clerk? The Town Clerk Yes, air. The Mayor Then I give it in favor of Mr Mur- less. The Mayor-elect then made the usual statutory declamtion, after which The Ex-Mayor, in investing hie successor with the gold chain of office, said he had a double pleasure in presenting Mr Murless with the chain because he had subscribed his ten guineas towards itsporchuewhenhe was in the Council twelve years ago. He endorsed all that had been said in laudation of Mr Murless at the time he previously occupied the civic chair, and he was sure every one would be pleased to learn that Mr Murless had again accepted office as Mayor of that borough. (Applause.) He hoped when Mr Murless retired from office he would receive similar congratulations to those of which he was the recipient in 1871. (Hear, hear. ) He was sure no man had had greater opportunity of judging of Mr Murivea inmness habits, and although some might say that Mr Murleas bad ruled them with martial law, he 1: was sure no one did greater honor to the chair I than Mr Murless had done during his year of oiffce, and he begged to congratulate him upon his I election that dav. (Applause.) The Mayor said he could not sufficiently thank I Mr Alderman Bury, Mr Councillor Samuel, and the ex-Mayor for the kind way in which they had j spoken of him. It was twelve years since he was 1 first installed in the chair to which he had just i been again elected, and when he reflected that I upon the first occasion his residence amongst them had only been of some seven years' duration, he l thought he had every reason to be satisfied with II the kindness he had experienced from his fellow townsmen, because the honor conferred upon him that day was the greatest honor that could be conferred upon a townsman, and no one ap- I preciated it more than he did. (Applause.) He had to tender his hearty thanks to those gentle- men who had voted for him, and to say that he hoped it would not be his fault if the proceedings of that Board were not conducted in an itn- partial manner. (Hear, hear.) He hoped he should have the assistance of his friends on bath sides, as he had the last time he had the honor of filling the chair. He thought he would not allude to anything that had passed, but he would make J one little observation in reference to their speeches in that Chamber. They were all men of business, and had got business to attend to. and attending Council meetings was a considerable tax and he would therefore urge upon his fellow councillors the advisability of abreviating their remarks as much as possible, so as not to consume time, which, as they knew, meant money. (Hear, hear.) He would not, as he said before, allude to what bad passed—it was probably best not to do so- (hear)—but before he sat down he begged to propose a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, a resolu- tion which he was sure would not only be sup- ported by that Board, but endorsed by the town at large. (Applause.) Mr Strachan had fulfilled his duties with great credit to himself and satis- faction to the town generally, and he had there- fore very great pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks to him on his leaving the chair. (Renewed aPDlause. Mr Walter Jones seconded the proposition with much pleasure, and endorsed everything that had fallen from the Mayor. He was sure that during his year of office. Mr Strachan had gained the good opinion of everybody, having discharged his im- portant duties well and faithfully and with the ut- most courtesy. (Applause.) Mr Strachan, in returning thanks, said when he accepted office he accepted it as a duty he owed to the town, and if he had given satisfaction he was amply rewarded. (Hear, hear.) He thanked them all for their kindness and consideration towards him-having received nothing but the greatest courtesy and kindness both inside and out- side the borough. He wished before he retired from the room to return his deepest thanks to the Town Clerk for his kindness, his courtesy, and his advice upon allocasions-(hear, hear)—he would even go further and say that they must all consider themselves very fortunate indeed in possessing so able a man to advise them. (Applause.) He could hot sufficiently express his thanks to the Town Clerk, who had made his (the speaker's) office a light one, with whom he had never once been at cross purposes, and to whom he could not pay too great a compliment. (Applause.) He had also to thank their Borough Surveyor, Sanitary Inspector, and Medical Officer of Health for the courtesy and assistance he had received at their hands. (Renewed applause.) The church bells rang as usual as soon as the re- suit of the election became known outside. Mi Baugh said as a defeated candidate, like he was last year-being within sight of the goal but not reaching it-he felt he was defeated, but not disgraced. (Applause.) He could bear defeat as well as any man, and could shake hands with persons who opposed him upon any occasion or under any circumstances. (Hear, hear.) He never carried any feelings of animositity against anyone—(hear, hear)—but he must say that the result was not what he anticipated from friends he had known. However, it had now gone for ever-(no, no)—he had lived too many years in that neighbourhood to expect now to attain the office which Mr Murless held that day. He could only add that be had upon all occasions done everything in his power to further the interests of the neighbourhood—(hear, hear)—and he should go from this world in the full consciousness of having done his duty. (Applause.) With reference to long speeches, alluded to by the Mayor. he could assure them they would never be troubled with long orations from him. (Hear, hear.) He trusted that all byegones would be byegones, and that they should all take their positions at that Board as heretofore. (Applause.) ELECTION OF ALDERMEN. The next business was to elect two aldermen in the room of Messrs E. Smith and Yeaman Strachan, who retired by rotation, and the voting papers having been distributed and filled up they were opened by the Mayor with the following result For the re-election of Mr Strachan and Mr E. Smith Ald. J. Williams, Ald. J. Bury Messrs 3. B. Murless, David Jones, W. E. Samuel, and W. J. Sisson. For the election of Mr W. E. Samuel and Mr Walter Jones Messrs Walter Jones, J. Prichard, W. Pierce, R. Jones, B. Owen, S. T. Baugh, J. Gittins, and J. Beale. Messrs Samuel and Walter Jones were thus elected by a majority of two. Mr Alderman Walter Jones returned thanks for the great honor conferred upon him and could only say that his best efforts should be devoted to the proper fulfilment of the duties devolving upon him. (Applause.) Mr Alderman Samuel also thanked those who had supported him for the honor conferred upon him and trusted he should fill the office to the satisfaction of all. (Applause.) APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. The appointment of the various committees was then proceeded with. GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE. Mr David Jones proposed, and Mr Ald. Bury seconded, that Mr Ald. John Williams be ap- pointed chairman of the General Purposes Com- mittee. Mr B. Owen proposed, and Ald. Walter Jones seconded, as an amendment, that Mr Baugh be appointed. On a division, Mr Baugh was elected by nine votes to five, and both he and Alderman Williams thanked those gentlemen who had voted for them. FINANCE COMMITTEE. Mr Baugh proposed, and Ald. Walter Jones seconded, that Mr J. Beale be chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr David Jones proposing, and Aid. Samuel seconding, as an amendment, that Mr Ald. J. Williams be appointed. On a division Mr Beale was elected by eight to six, and suitably returned thanks. The Lighting, Cemetery, Sinithfield, and Free Library Committees were then appointed. THE NORTH WALES COLLEGE. On the motion of Mr Richard Jones, seconded by Mr Alderman Williams, Mr Charles Hughes was unanimously appointed a member of the Court of Governors for the North Wales College, to repre- sent the Municipal Borough of Wrexham. QUARTERLY MEETINGS. The Town Ulerk stated that at quarterly meet- ings of the Council in future only such business as appeared on the agenda could be dealt with, except, of course, statutory business relating to elections, and so forth. Alderman Williams You can't spring a mine upon any one with any resolution. The Town Clerk: No, sir. Aid Williams A very good and proper thing, too! THE MAYOR'S PROCESSION.—RIVAL BANDS The Town Clerk said it was usual at that meet- ing for the Mayor to fix the Mayor's Sunday, and to invite the Council to accompany him to church if such was his intention, and his Worship then fixed Sunday, November 25th, as the day for the procession. Mr J. Gittins thought it would be very desir- able to dispense with the noise of the band upon these occasions, especially as they had made repre- sentations with regard to the band ef the Salvation Army. He should be happy to attend the service at Church personally, but he certainly thought they should do away with the noise of the band, and he threw this out as a suggestion. Mr Baugh also thought they should not give anyone a chance of saying that on the first oppor- tunity after getting the Salvation Army to stop their band the Council proceeded to church accompanied by a band themselves. Let the Council show a good example. Ald. Walter Jones said the Salvation Army were perpetually dinning the noise into their ears, whereas the Mayor's procession only occurred once a year. Ald. Samuel endorsed Ald. Jones' remarks and said he didn't like these old institutions interfered with. There was a great difference between the two things. Ir Baugh: There's no difference in the prin- ciple, sir Mr David Jones: Why, only last Sunday week the Army" went down the street with a tam- bourine and two fiddles (Laughter.) Ald. Williams But they were not brass instru- ments (Renewed laughter.) The Mayor said there was this difference between the two—one occurred every Sunday. and the other only once a year. No doubt the procession to church assisted to augment the funds of the Wrexham Infirmary, for which the sermon was annually preached—(hear, hear)- and he thought it would not be desirable to do away with the band. Aid. Bury No, the Mayor is too goed a Con- servative to depart from such a good old austom (Hear, hear.) The business then concluded. j RUTHIN. j At the meeting of the Town Council, Mr John Jones proposed, and Dr. W. D. Jones seconded, the election of Mr Osbert Edwards as Mayor. This was agreed to. Mr Edwards having replied, Mr T. P. Roberts proposed and Mr Lewis Jones seconded that Mr Edwards be elected Alderman, I Mr Ed. Roberts proposed and Mr John Morris .1 seconded the election of Mr R. P. Davies. an Ex- Town Councillor, as Alderman in place of Mr John Jenkins, retired. Votes of thanks were proposed to the Ex-Mayor and to Mr John Jenkins. DENBIGH. At the Council meeting, Dr. Pierce proposed, and Mr Humphreys Roberts seconded, the election of Mr Clough as Mayor, reference being made to the high and honorable position his ancestors had always held in the borough, his uncle having been mayor forty years ago, and Sir Richard Clough famed in Denbigh history. The motion was carried unanimously.—Air Clough returned thanks. alluding to the present state of the borough, and urging all to sink private feelings and work for the ratepayers' interests.—Dr. Pierce and Mr Williams were re-elected aldermen unani- mouslv. I OSWESTRY. At Oswestry. Mr T. Whitfield, auctioneer, was elected mayor for the coming year.

I WREXHAM BJiKDOF GUARDIANS.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS.I

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