A DAY OF ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1683, 25 February 1913, Page 6

A DAY OF ELECTIONS.

HARD WORK FOR CITIZENS. FOUR POLLS ON APRIL 30. Citizens of Wellington must bo prepared to "gird up their loins" and put on their thinking-caps .in-view of tho work expected from them on Wednesday, April 30. /Recent ' legislation, drafted with a view of economising in the cost of local body elections, has decreed that tho elections of 1 Mayor, City Council, Harbour Board, and tne Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board .shall take place on ono and the same day—the final Wednesday in April—so that thero is a perfect embarrassment of-elections for electors who tako ; their citizenship seriously. In the case of tho harbour, the voting interests are split up, and only immediately concern sections of the' community. With the exception of the country and suburban members of /the -Wellington HospitiJ and Charitable Aid Board, the Wellington municipal electors are'directly concerned in tho return of members of the bodies mentioned. The City Council. Take, for instance, the City Council. Here are the sitting members:—Messrs. M'Laren, D. (Mayor), Atkinson, A, K., Barber, W. H. P., Cameron, K. A., Cohen, V., Fletoher, H., Fitzgerald, J. El, Frost, G., Fuller, John, CoUuer, James, Hihdmarsh, A. H., M'Kenzio L., Shirtclitfe, Geo., Smith, John, Tregear, Edward; Trevor, James. Of tho above-mentioned, three at least wilbnot be candidates at the coniing election—Dr. Cameron, and Messrs. Shirtclitfe and Smith. Dr. Cameron has .already left for England. Mr. Shirtcliffo says that ho finds that too much of his time is taken up with council matters, to the sacrifice of. his business interests, and Mr. John Smith, after a quarter of a century's work, feels that it is time that ho should retire. Of the others, Messrs. W. H. P. Barlfer (who is, mentioned as a,, possiblo candidate ■ for tho '■ Mayoralty) may not offer himself for the' Council, and Mr. James Godber has not vet made up his mind. Those.'of tho. sitting members who j are " almost sure :to go to the , poll on April 30 aro Messrs. Frost, Fuller/ Hindmarsh, Fitzgerald, Tregear, F. Cohen, K. Fletcher, J. Trevor, and most probably Mr..A. E. Atkinwn. This means that at present only eight out of the fifteen. sitting' councillors have decided to stand again, but there_is a good prospect,of Messrs. Barber, Godber, and Atkinson, once more coming forward. ■.So far there have been very few out-, siders who are reported as likely candidates. Mr. A. Leigh Hunt has definitely decided not to stand, although' a rumour stated that he was' to enter the field. Mr. Martin Luckie, • solicitor and chairman of the Wellington • Cricket Association,' stated yesterday that he intends to be a candidate; and thero is every. prospect of Mr. T. Neave (of thelegal firm of Brown and Dean) consenting to nomination. Mr. A.'-S. Biss states that he cannot afford tho time necessary te the duties. Labour Active. .' Labour, as represented by the United Labour party, is actively at work-in connection .with the elections. For the City Council, it has submitted a list of 21 names to members of the party, from which each member is asked to select the fifteen he would like to see elected. These . names were circulated on ballot papers three weeks ago, and are to be handed in to the Returning Officer at tho Trades, Hall to-day. The names submitted to the ballot (for the City Council) are as follow:— . Messrs.' W; S. Bedford, E. J. Carey, O. H. Chapman,. J. G. W.' Dalrymple, W. Dobson, S.'Gordon,'W. H; Hampton, A. N H. Hindmarsh. A. E. Hornblow. E/Konnedy, Dr. F. W. M'Kenzie, W. Maddison, W. Merritt, W. C. ; Noot; G. H. Piice, L.F. Pulsford, J. Eead, M. J. Eeardon, E. Tregear, W. Wagstaif, and W.\ T. Young. The fifteen"who polKmost votes will be nominated • as candidates representing the United Labour party, in due course/-'' ' ■" ■-.■' "• The Mayoralty.: : 'So far only, two candidates for tho/ Mayoralty have been definitely announced. iThey'are MessTS. D. M'Laren (tho present Mayor) and Mr. John P. Luke. - Mr. Luko served on the' City Council from September, 1898, to April, 1905, and from September; 1905, until April, 1911, and so needs no introuuetien to the public of Wellington, He has also represented Wellington Suburbs in the House of . Eepresentatives; ,'•.-' • ' Mt. W. H. V. Barber, who has not yet decided if he will 'go to the poll, but at present has'an inclination to do so.enteredthe City Council in September, 1891, and served continupusly until April, 1900. He rMntered the cenncil on September 8 1910. and is'still a member. •'•• • Mr. Eobert Fletcher, senior councillor, has been asked to oontest.the Mayoralty, but has definitely made up his mmd not to be a candidate this year. • The Harbour Board./ As stated quite recently there.is not likely to bo much change in the personnel of the Wellington Harbour Board. R.j Fletcher (chairman),. J. E. Fitzgerald, A.' H. Hindmarsh, and Jas. Trevor at present are elected by municipal electors;. Messrs. J.W. M'E.wan and P. C. Freeth represent Wellington Suburbs, and Hutt.an'd Makara Counties; Messrs. Maurice Cohen and J. G. Cobbo represent iMahawatu; Messrs. C: E. Daniel! tind A. M'Farlane. represent Wairatnpaj Messrs. C. W. Jones and E. Rentier represent the layers of dues on ships; Mr.-J. G. Harkness, the nayers rf dues other than on ships; and Mr. W. T. Hildreth is the Government member of the,.board. '■ Tho city members will all be in the field again. Therp ivill be, a contest for •the seats; representing the shipping folk. For «eats Messrs. Janes, Bennett, and Natlnn are likely te • comnefo. and Captain Watson has announced his intention ■of contesting' the Suburbs and Counties s?at. The' United Lnbour Partv's candidates (four) for the Harbour Board -will ibe selected bv ballot from the following:— Messrs. W. S;' Bedford. F.. J. CaTe.v,. C. F. Chnnnmn. A. H. Hindmarsh. W. C. Noot. G. H. Price., J. M. J. Eeardon, E. Tregear, and W. T. Youner. Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. So far little has been heard of any changes likely to be effected:in the per- ■ snnnel of the Wellington Hospital and I Charitable Aid Board.. It is unlikely that Messrs. J. E. Fitzgwald, John Smith, or R. Fletcher will, stand again as members of this' body. This is tho largest lecal body in Wellington, consisting, as It does, of a chairman, treasurer. ;and nineteen members,: or 21 members in all (including representatives from all Wellington and neighbouring local bodies). a The United' Labour party's nominees for the board will be selected from the following:—Mesdames "Donaldson. Holt, and D.M'Lnren. Messrs. W. S, Bedford, E. J. Carey. C. H. Chapman, W. Dobsan, J. C, Egglcton,. C. Fost»r. S. Gordon, W. H. Hnmpton, A'. H.' Hindmarsh. .Tlr. F. W. M'Knnzie, W. Merritt, D. M'T-aren, W. C. Noot, L. F.'Pulsford,' J,. M.'A. Reardon, M.- J. Reardon, and W. Waterworth. ' It will be noticed that with two or three <>xcentions the samo men are nominated for tho thrvt bndios. Labour is also 'Hitting forward three ladies • for the Hospital 'nnd Charitable Aid Board. At present them is only one lady on the boardMiss' Richmond.