FORTHCOMING CONTEST

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 183, 21 November 1941, Page 5

FORTHCOMING CONTEST

bay of plenty by-election

NATIONAL AND LABOUR CANDIDATES

ANNOUNCEMENTS NOW MADE

Both the Labour and National Parties have announced their candidates for the forthcoming by-election in the Bay of Plenty to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Lieut. A. G. Hultquist. Labour has officially announced its ■candidate in the person of Mr Charles Mills J.P. of Gisborne, and the only nomination received by the National Party was that, of Mr W. Sullivan, the well known local businessman and veteran ex-Mlayor. It is not anticipated that any other nominlaitions will be! forthcoming. The Democratic Labour Party has apparently not as yet made any move by way of making any appointment.

Party organisers were busy in the 'town yesterday, the National group establishing headquarters in one of the shops fronting the Wliakatane Hotel. Already plans are formulated for the three-week campaign ahead, and from what can be ascertained both sides; will be out to intensify their activities during the limited time at their disposal.

MR W. SULLIVAN

THIRD time; a candidate,

In spite of rumours to the contrary, it now transpires that th»» National Party candidate, Mr W. Sullivan,, conrented to nomination ut the recent meeting of the local ■branch. Mr Sullivan is probably the best-kno®n citizen the town possesses, having contested for Parliamentary honours on two previous occasions, held the mayoralty of Whakatane for thirteen years, and conducted a well known B.S.L. business, of widely operating building contractors.

In May, 1920, he; was elected *o the Whakatane Borough Council, and in August of the same year became Mayor, a position which he retained till 1938, when he retired to re-occupy his position as councillor. His period of local body service is one of which any man might be proud, and it can be honestly said .that Whakatane knew its greatest period of expansion during his regime. Apart from local body work, Mr Sullivan has associated himself with practically every movement which has made for the progress of the town. He has given freely of his time and substance in almost every cause making for the public weal.

In 1929, Mr Sullivan unsuccessfully contested the Tauranga seat against the late Hon. C l . E. MacMill an. Three years ago he stood against Mr A. G. Hultquist being narrowly defeated by a margin of only 169 votes.

As a result of a large ami representative deputation waiting on him last Tuesday evening, Mr Sullivan consented and from what can be learnt has the unanimous support of all branches of his Party throughout the electorate.

LABOUR'S REPRESENTATIVE

MR CHARLES MILLS, J.P.

From several nominations sent •forward to Wellington for selection, the secretary of the New. Zealand Labour Party announces that Mc Charles Mills J.P., of Gisborne, has been appointed to contest the sent on behalf of Labour. He is 47 yeavs old and has had considerable expei ience of local body work. For many years farming at Te Karalta, near Gisborne, he was for some time , chairman of the Te Karaka Town Board. Keenly interested in sport he fostered Rugby football throughout his district retaining the presidency of the local Union for many years. Mr Mills has always carried an interest in business as, well in farming operations and owned a bakery establishment in Te Karaka. A few years ago he retired from farming and transferring to Gisborne acquir- . Ed considerable property and opened a further bakery which he has operated successfully ever since.

He is a Returned Soldier, having served three and a half years overseas during the last war. He has a pleasing personality and is reported to be a forceful and convincing

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speaker. His entry into the campaign will be keenly anticipated by electors in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Though perhaps better known in the more southerly parts of the large Bay of Plenty electorate his supporters in this end of the district are hoping to make his acquaintance in the near future. The by-election will be held on Saturday, December 13. The writ will be issued on November 24, and nominations will close on November 26.