Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Thursday 9 February 1905, page 7


SOUTH BRISBANE MUNICIPALITY

ELECTION OF MAYOR.

A special meeting of the South Brisbane City Council was held at noon yesterday for the purposee of chooslng a Mayor. There were present : Aldermen A. S. Lang, J. Garsden, R. E. Burton, G. Fish, J Lang, W. Stephens, G. H. Blocksidge, A. Gilles-pie, T. W. Bouchard, M. L. A., G. H. Schofield, J. Davies, and D. B. Mc Cul lough. There was a fair number of specta

tors.

Alderman Blocksidge the returning officer announced the candidates who were returned at the recent election.

The town clerk (Mr. Leney) then took

the chair.

Alderman J. Lang proposed Alderman Bouchard for the position and alluded in terms of praise to Alderman Bouchard's

qualifications.

The motion was lost, it being only sup ported by Alderman Fish, J. Lang and McCullough.

Alderman Schofield nominated Alderman Davies for the position of Mayor. He claimed that that alderman was a good representative on the council, and he held that he should be appointed.

Mr. A. S. Lang supported the nomination. The No 1 Ward was entitled to priority. It had been argued that Alderman Davies expressed himself too strongly but he liked a man who spoke his mind and when in the chair he thought Alderman Davies would fill the position splendidly.

The question was put and the motion supported by Alderman A. S. Lang, Fish,

Stephens, Gillespie, Bouchard, Schofield,

and Davies.

As this constituted an absolute majority Alderman Davies was duly declared elect

ed.

Alderman Davies was conducted to the chair by Alderman Schofield. He thanked them very much for appointing him as

Mayor. A man wanted a good deal of knowledge and ability to fill the position well. He would do his best. He meant to keep a firm, determined hand on the ex penditure and to keep it within the re venue. (Applause and "Hear, hear.) It would be his endeavour to do his best to see that the requirements of the wards

were attended to.

Alderman Fish : You won't confine your self to your own ward will you? (Laugh

ter.)

Alderman Davies said he would do his best for the whole city. His idea of a chairman was that the less he said the better. He hoped the confidence of the ratepayers would not be misplaced. (Ap plause.)

Alderman Bouchard congratulated the new Mayor upon his election. He (Alder mon Bouchard) had been proposed for the postion but he was pleased to see that Al derman Davies had been elected and he as sured him of his loyality.

Alderman Fish observed that there were not any men present who would envy Alderman Davles his position, as the coun cil was in straits at present. He hoped however that they would get over the diffi culties during the coming year without un duly oppressing the ratepayers. The new Mayor would have to be firm as he would be sometimes subjected to trials and ap proached by cajolers. (Laughter.)

Alderman Schofield expressed his plea sure at the Mayors return. He had nominated Alderman Davies and he could assure him of his loyality. (Hear, hear.)

Alderman Gillespie said he was glad there had not been a recurrence of the proceedings of the North Brisbane Mayoral election as that sort of thing did not raise the standard of municipal councils. He added that he did not think an alderman should he appointed Mayor in his first term. He congratulated Alderman Davies.

Alderman A. S. Lang characterised the proceedings at North Brisbane as a fiasco. Alderman Fish had warned the Mayor against cajolers and he (the speaker) could say that there was no one he would have to be more careful of than that alderman himself. (Laughter. )

The Mayor briefly responded and said that he would do all in his power to fill the position with dignity and impartiality, and to conserve the interests of the rate payers. (Applause.)

The meeting was then adjourned until 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon.