GREY BY-ELECTION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1783, 23 June 1913, Page 5

GREY BY-ELECTION.

THE REFORM CANDIDATE. MR. H. L. MICHEL CONSENTS TO STAND. 1 (By Telesraph.—flrccial OomaoondMyi) Hokitika, June 22. ; In response to numerously-signed requisitions and private solicitations from -the electors of the Grey electorate, Mr. H. L. Michel has consented to contest Jhe Grey by-elcction as a supporter of the Reform Government. Tho announcement that Mr. Michel had consented to contest the seat in tho interests of the ■"Reform Government was received with great satisfaction throughout the North- ■ <ern electorate, and gratification' is felt that tho services havo been secured of >Uch an able candidate. Mn' Michel has ' Served a very long, arduous, end honourable apprenticeship for national politics in tho sphere of local governing bodies bn the West Coast. The following are ' porno of the offices which ho has tilled, and some of which he still retains: Mayor of Hokitika for 10 years, from jvhich he retired two years ago; member of tho Borough Council for 25 years; captain of the fire brigade for 27 years; chairman of tho Fire board, chairman oi the Westland Board of Education, chairman of the Hospital and Charitablo Aul Board, president of the Hospital Committee, member of the School Committee, chairman of the High School _ Board, chairman* of the* School Commissioners, Inember uiut chairman of the Harbour •Board, member of the Greymoutli Harbour Board, trustee of tho Savings Bank, V justice of the peace for a quarter of a century, : Visiting Justice to the Prison, • Official Visitor to tho Mental. Hospital, and 'president of the Fire Brigade Association of New. Zealand. . This, however, 'does not exhaust tho list of offices to 'which Mr. Michel has directed his energies,. because he took a prominent part ;in the development of the industries of •the district, and the formation of the dairy companies of the district, and is at present n director of several of these. With all these multifarious duties, Mr. - Michel never neglected his own business, and at this moment tho firm of Messrs. I'ateraon, Michel, and Company, of which ' lie is the head, carries on one of the largest and most successful businesses on the West Coast. The fact that Mr. Michel 'is a rapid thinker, and a ready speaker, and a very sti-ong platform man, has always stood him in good stead, and in this respect alone lie proved exceptionally Veil adapted for his office. The time which lie gave to his offices. Of Mayor was great, and .in this'connection is-a point whicli must always Tedound to his credit—the fact that he was entitled to ili)0 a year, and although his predecessors in office received that allow ance, • ..- lie never, during all these sixteen years, , 'drew a penny, and had ho done nothing else for the b'otough ho has saved the ratepayers ,£IOOO, -in addition to a large Bum which he has Spent out of his own pocket. Mr. Michel has a recordl -of work on public, todies -unequalled on the West ■ Coast, and probably beaten by very- few--srt the whole Dominion. He goes into the frav' in response to a very strong and influential invitation from the Grey electorate, and -rtith the best wishes of the .strong band of supporters of over throe '-thousand strong in Westland.

FEELING IN GREYMOUTH. | • "•/ . SUPPORTERS OF REFORM CONFIDENT. (By Telegraph.—Special ■ Correspondent.) . Greymouth, June 22. The announcement by Mr. Michel', stating iii willingness to lenvo himself in the hands'o£ the,.Grey.,electors,to contest the beat .in ,the Government 'interests, was rebeived with tremendous Approval by the i .people, who appreciate the fair, lmpal'-1 fial administration-of the Reform party. The election will be fouglit on .party lines, eVeu though Greymouth has always supported a Liberal. The Reform appreciate the sacrifice Mr. Michel ■ is making, and feel confident of the result. . Mr. Harmon has been in Westport for some day,-?, but returned on Saturday, leaving the field meantime to Prof. Mills and Mr. Webb, who delivered several addresses. It is not known when Mr. Hannan will speak. Mr. Michel - will bp&n the ball on Wednesday with a policy speech. Mr. Michel's progressive policy, industrially and commercially, for over 80 years will be aji answer to those opponents who consider Reform opposed to toroj?re.?s. Since the announcement of his decision, Mr. Michel has received :numer- . bus congratulations and wishes of success.