Large Delegation of Ratepayers Want H. G. Perry for Mayoralty; Contests Promised for All Offices Realizing the serious si', .-ation which the city faces during the com ing v€ar and that the strongest pos-niJe ma" obtainable ghould occupj the position of chief magistrate o Prince Georjje, a delegation of abou ffty ratepayers waited upon Mr. H G Perry yesterday and asked him to reconsider his decision 'not to run for mf.yo.r- Mr. Perry informed the delegation that he hnd no desire for .the'1 position, as lie wanted to look after his personal' affaireT^-However, the delegation was insistent upon him running. 11r' l'<:rT>' then asked them to Jnt«rvicw the ether candidates.^The delegation then- left in^a body to see Mr. J. II. Johnson,- one of the an-founced candidates. Aldenr.nn^Patterson was spokes-,n'for--th"e delegation, and stated ihafnT wan not a question of busi-leps ability, but that, the thr.ee years fcunicipni experience that Mr. Perry lad given to municipal, affairs and the study that Mr. Perry had hide of matters municipal • made Jis candidature desirable. In reply-. Mr. Johnson stated tha le'would have to consult his backers any of whom, he declared, were Jr. Perry'H strongest supporters Je stated that he would have a con ert-nce with Mr. Perry and wouk jve a definite answer to the dele-ation <>n Monday. The delegation then returned to office," when Mr. Patter-d Mr. Perry of the in-ervicw wl>b- Mr. Johnson. After cnsiderablc 'phssjsure and several Beechi*s by mernberss^pf the delega ion, Mr. ferry reluctjfntjy stated hit he 'could not very welp-\$lesert is old-time supporters, and he^h^n-d that other candidates and himself" wild be able to arrive at a satisfac-»ry decision which Would obviate necessity of the' expense of an lection. The delegation then left, jeelinjr thai they will induce Mr. wrry to accept nomination. " Mr. I'eVry stated that he would ist'itute a new policy of city man-by appointing the present fly clerk. My: I). Ci. Tat* city man-;cr. As such Mr'. Tate Would at-ml to the details of management, ; council to net in the capacity of bourd of directors, and reducing indemnities of the rnayor and frineil. In addition 51 r. Perry etatcd that nless. pnnif; productive enterprise fme to Prince George it will be ex-imely difficult for the residents, '¦ taxpayers "today; where-fa few years i.po it was the out-who paid the taxes, to meet |«_heavy burden of taxation- for in-sinjfiiijr fund, schools, fire and civic expenditure. 'Barney Keegan was a member of the delegation, and Mr. Keegan had already announced himself as a mayoralty candidate but had withdrawn only on condition that Mr. Perry -Would enter the field. The same applies to,Alderman Patterson, who will be a candidate for mayor should Mr. Perry decide not to' run. Mayor Wilson, the present incumbent, will be in the field if Perry is not a candidate. Alderraanic Ctndidatta, Should Mr. Perry decide to accept nomination for mayor. Alder man Barney Keegan will be a candi date for re-election in Ward Two and Alderman Patterson in Ward One. Dr. It. W. Alward stated to Jay that he would be a candidate in Ward Two, and Mr. J. Ml McLean las announced himself as an alder nanic candidate in Ward Three Alderman Peren will also be andidate for re-election in Ward Two, while it is thought that Alder-nan McMillan will again be a car idate in Ward Three. Alderman iVimbles states definitely that he will not be a candidate for re-elec tion in Ward Three. No other announcements have been made as to any other of the elective municipal offices. '• Johnson In to Stay. Mr. J. II. Johnson, who is a candidate for mayor, wrote a letter to Alderman Patterson this morning, stating that he discussed the matter of retirement in favor of Mr. Perry with a number of his supporters, and as a ^result of the conference he is in the field until the last ballot is ounted. He also states that the delegation which interviewed him yesterday presented nothing which would change his mind on--the sub-"j&ct. The letter also suggested that the allegation might meet him in a few dayV^o consider whether he he most desirable can-lidate after all. h humble cot ondstateluhoH tt»miQughtcry way of Calgary and CP.R. as herc-ofore. This enables them to give much more expeditious service. The office at-the Vancouver end is n the Western Union telegraph of-ice, but is under the jurisdiction of .he Canadian National Telegraphs. Alex. Wylie, the local manager of he company, can guarantee a ten-ninute service while everything is working normally. Mrs. R. W. McLeod returned to trie ity with, her two young children by the court of revision, Mr. J. H. Johnson, mayoral candidate, made application before Judge Robertson this morning for an order to replace their names on the list. The point raised by Mr. Wilson, eity solicitor, was that there could not be two householders for the, same house, and that the husband being toe 1 Wage-earner and paying for the upkeep of the house was the house-holder in faet. The eity-solicitor's advice was followed by the court of revision with the result that fourteen ladies of this eity are in something of a temper over the sction. At the session ©f\the court of revision, Alderman Patterson moved that in view of the city solicitor's advice, the ladies be refunded the two-dollar fee paid, and this recommendation will be made to the city council. on Wednesday night's trtiin. THE NAVIES' TEN YEARS HOLIDAY. EIGHTEEN MONTHS FOR PADDING PAYROLL For padding the payroll of the Maintenance of Ways department of the Canadian National Railways at Me Bride, George Allen, a clerk in the roadmaster's office was found guilty on Wednesday last .by His" Honor Judge Robertson and sentenced to eighten months at Okalla Prison Farm.. E. A. Gibbs, eharged with indecent assault upon Mrs. W .M. Wilson, of Dunster, on November 3rd, was found guilty of common assault and was fined $100 or in default three months, by His Honor Judge Robertson, on Tuesday. Gibbs was unable to pay his fine so will spend the next three months at South Fort George. Mr. J. M. McLean, of this city, acted for the Crown in each of the nbovc cases, while Mr. P. E. Wilson acted as counsel for the defence. ANOTHER INTERESTING BOXING TOURNAMENT Last night the third boxing tournament was held at the new gymnasium, and like its predecessors it was an interesting aflair from flnt to when time was called in the final bout The first set-to was between H Rogers and Dick Corless jr, in the 80-lb. class and the spectators were treated to a fast three rounds of sparring. In the flyweight division Billy Graham and Tom Corless went s few rounds, as did Tick? Wilson and Edgar Sibley. In -the lightweight division Billy Hess, who has to date been the best of the local talent in that class, ran up against Emil Caus. Billy met a Tartar in Caus and had to extend himself the limit to get by with a draw. This was the best bout staged in the city in many moons, and the contestants were heartly applauded at the conclusion. As usual the evening's entertainment was concluded by a three-round go between Harry Anderson and Bert Hughes, and as in their previous bouts these young men went right after each other from the Who was finance minister in the Laurier administration, and will no doubt occupy a similar posi-.tion in the new cabinet to be formed by the Hon. Mackenzie King, Canada's Liberal Premier-elect. Victoria, Dec. 22 —Pr«mi.r Oliver yesterday received a telegram announcing- the resignation of Hon. J. W. DeB. F.rri., attorney general and miaiater of labor, now in Ottawa in cob-nectibn with the liquor cat** before the Supreme Court of Canada. Farm stated in his *ire *° «*»« Premier that hia cour»« was dictated by parse*. -He_retain«- MEIGHEN GOVERNMENT BEFORE PASSING AWAY PRESENTS THREE MILLION Ottawa, Dec. 21.—In spite of the protests of the auditor-general, the Meighen government, before departing this life, has made out a cheque upon the treasury, payable to the Dominion Iron &' Stool Company of Sydney for the sum of $o,UUO,000, in connection with the construction of a rolled plate mill, arranged.for by Hon. C. C. Ballarityne in the hectic days of shipbuilding. The undertaking was decided upon in the latter days of the war, the government guaranteeing a price for a fixed quantity of plates far in excess of the cost anywhere else in the world. DAIL EIREANN ADJOURNS. Dublin, Dec. 22.—After rejecting the vote to continue the debate on the Anglo-Irish treaty until the vote of the people was taken, the Dail Eireann today adjourned until January 3rd. The unlimited debate motion was put forward by follower? of DeValera, the opponents of the treaty. The vote on this motion is regarded as roughly indicating the relative strength for and against the treaty. opening gong unti time was called. The fans do certainly appreciate the way these .two boys mix it, and are loud in their praise of the exhibitions they put up. , The club is holdine a tournament every Thursday night, and there will be several bouts on the card every night. LUTHERAN CHURCH Scandinavian Lutheran church will have services on Christmas day at 2 p.m. at the minister's residence, southwest of the new school. All Scandinavians are cordially invited. Juhn A. Nilsen, pastor. FUNDS TO UNEMPLOYED. Victoria, Dec. 22—Premier Oliver and cabinet today decided not to hold the usual parliament building reception on New Year's day, and instead to give the money to the Rotary Club Christmas fund in view of the large number in want. A cheque for $500 was sent to the fund. COLONEL WATTERSON DEAD. Miss Ethel Austin, who has been attending school at Edmonton, is home for the holidays. *^« **»••• jolly sailor men, '•'»• chucked up the ten; ~"\ Cyn" K' Chowingum, Komitiu and me. —London Opinion, To the Many Friends of riatmaa With Our Hearty Thanks For Your Support and Confidence Washington, D.C., Dec. 22—Col. Henry \Vatterson ("Marse Henry") died today in Jacksonville, Florida. He was one of the last surviving members of the old school of journalism. PROGRESSIVES HOLD POW-WOW AT SASKATOON •Saskatoon, Dec. 21.—"A fine conference," snid Hon. T. A. Crerar at G:30 tonight as the meeting of the Progressives, which has been held here all day, broke up, anil the Progressive leader hurried to his train. Asked if he had anything to say, he replied, "No," which is the sum total , of official information which could be obtained. PREMIUM AT LOWEST. Vancouver, Dec. 22.—Premium on the Canadian dollar is at the.low-^eet in two years. The premium is now 7 per cent. CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES IN ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH. Holy Communion at 7, 8 and 9 a. m. Holy Eucharist .sung, 10 p.m. Morning Prayer, 11:1.1 a'.m. Children's Festival Service, 2 p.m., and Evening Prayer, 7:.*>0 p.m. prenie Cpurtj of Canada, and it is with extreme'regret 1 look forward to the possibility of the loss of hi* valuable services," in the Houie and will retura ta> private practice. One reason given for his resigna-ion is that Mr. S. S. Taylor, K.C., ecently retired from practice in 'ancouver. Farris stated that he ntended to take his place at the bar. t is likely that he will be counsel or the federal government in this rovince. The matter of his successor is being discussed. There are four Lib-ral lawyers and two Conservative awyers in the House. Mr. A. M. Vlanson, speaker of the House) is mentioned for the portfolio, also M. B. Jackson, K.C., member for the Islands, and David Whiteside of New Westminster. Rumors Abound. Today Victoria is full of political rumors. One is that Premier Oliver is to drop out and Hon. Dr. King will form a new government. The Premier stated today that Farris is not yet out and may not go for a while yet. Premier Oliver regarded the report that he (Oliver) is going to quit as a joke. Hun. W. J. Bowser suggested that Farris may get a judgeship, and said that something happened at Ottawa to decide his action. The Premier'• Statement. Premier Oliver handed out the following statement to the press yesterday: "I have received a wire from Mr. Farris, Ottawa, advising !iic he desired, for personal reasons, to be relieved from his duties as attorney-general. I have wired Mr. Farris earnestly requesting him to reconsider his position, and in any event to allow the matter to stand until after his return, and I have had full opportunity of discussing the matter with him. "A number of people seem to have formed the opinion that Mr. Farris has been "ambitious for political honors, but I am going to take the opportunity of stating that when che Brewster administration was formed in November, 1916* both Mr. Brewster and myself urged Mr. Farris to. accept the portfolio of at- " torney-general. This he declined, and even at the time he became at: torney-general,h accepted the position with a great deal of reluctance and under pressure brought to bear upon him by the Premier and other members, of the cabinet, as well as by a large number of political friends. On a number of occasions he has stated to me that he desired no political life ,but of building up a practice, and he has remained a member of the government to the present largely as a favor to myself and colleagues and his sense df duty to the province and the political party with which he has been so largely associated. "If Mr. Farris persists in his intention to retire from his present position, the loss will be heavy, both to the government and to the province. -I .am strongly of the opinion that there is no man in public life in British Columbia possessed of superior or even equal ability; in fact, I have frequently stated there'^ is no person in public life either in the province or the Dominion to which the abilities of Farris would not entitle him to aspire, and such position he. would be capable of filling with credit to hmself and the country. N ^ "Notwithstanding many malicious ¦attacks made upon Farris, I wish to state that I have always had the^ 'ullest confidence both in his ability and integrity. Farris has been an •jble administrator at attorney-general, and also eminently successful whenever questions 'of constitution-tl law have come before the courts for decision. He has to his ^credit ¦.he winning of several important appeal) before the Privy Council, j.nd at the present time has in hand important matters which are of vital,, interest to the province; in fact, dur. ing the last few days in Ottawa, he has taken part in arguments of two very important cases before the 8ov