The man who refused to be mayor of Durban

In the year leading up to the local elections in Durban, Thomas Augustus O Flaherty, a councillor representing Ward 4, expressed a desire not to become the Mayor of the city. This stance was due to his professional commitments as the manager of the Natal Bank, which had been greatly impacted by the gold rush in Johannesburg. The Natal Bank had seen a surge of activity, and O Flaherty's role required significant time and dedication.

As the mayoral year came to a close on July 31, 1887, William Robarts, the outgoing mayor, was set to hand over the position to his successor, elected by the twelve councillors representing the town's six wards. The previous mayor's term had been marked by celebrations for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, including the inauguration of Durban's museum and the opening of the Umbilo Waterworks.

Despite some initial confusion over the election process, O Flaherty was eventually elected to the role, albeit reluctantly, after multiple attempts and persuasion. He served as mayor for a brief period, from August 24, 1887, to September 1, 1887, when he tendered his resignation. O Flaherty's decision not to accept the mayoralty was a reflection of his dedication to his career, as he was heavily involved in the financial affairs of the borough and the Natal Bank.

His resignation opened the way for other councillors, including R L Cunningham, to assume the mayoral role, but the issue of mayoralty would continue to be a topic of discussion in Durban.