Mr Schumacher Bald he had no apology to make for appearing before the meetiDg as a candidate for the mayoral chair, considering as he did that the ottiee was the highest in honour and dignity the ratepayers could confer on anyone of their number. It ought to be the honourable ambition ofevery qualified member of a community to aspire to it He maintained that the position of mayor did not of a neceaiity belong to any one man, nor was it right that the citizens should year after year elect the same P?™> B- He was of opinion that every person desirous of filling the position should have previously served a» a councillor. This he had done, having repre sented liait Ward for the last Beven years, and he considered his conduct had been such bb to entitle him to their Bupport in the present contest. He had endeavoured to combine efficiency with economy in carrying on euoh public works as -were for the im provement of the town, and had tried by all means in his power to huiband the revenues of the borough ■o that the rates might be kept down, while improw ments and repairs were carried out. During the term of mayoralty now expiring, very few questions of grave interest had been before the council. The new.muriicipal and Government buildings had been completed and occupied, and every one admitted they were an ornament to the town. Mr Schumaoher then proceeded to give a resume of the financial position of the" borough, »nd stated it was his opinion that every penny at preßent due for ratea could be collected before the end of the year. If he were ejected he should do hia utmoßt. to receive such distinguished strangers as might visit Port Chalmers in a becoming manner and assured them that his puree would be at com mand for that purpose so far as he could afford it. The candidate went at some length into the ques '£? v. a new 6ravin ß! do* for Port Chalmers, which, from the large size of the vessels now visiting the port, had become an absolute necessity.' If elected he pledged himself to do hia utmost to tea the scheme carried out. The water supply to the higher levels of the town had alwajß been very un satisfactory. 