LOWER HUTT

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2136, 30 April 1914, Page 8

LOWER HUTT

MR. BALDWIN ELECTED. Great interest was taken at Lower Hutt in the mayoral election. Right from when the booths opened at liino o'clock till they closed at 7 p.m. there was a steady stream of voters to the booths. Out of the 3131 voters on the. roll, however, only 1441 exercised, their rights. There were three candidates for the position—Mr. H. Baldwin, Mr. T. C. Davson, and Dr. J. R. Purely. The former was ejected by a majority of 52 votes. At a quarter to eight the returning officer, Mr. W. Nicholson, announced the results from the balcony of the Town Hall to tho largo crowd which had gathered. The details of the voting was as under:—, Baldwin. Dawson. Purdy. Town booth 78 126 22 Western booth ... IC7 131 65 Central booth .... 340 273 214 Totals 585 533' 301 Informal, 22. Subsequent to the declaration of the poll the successful candidate, Mr. Baldwin, spoke a faw words from tho Town Hall balcony Mr. Baldwin thanked tho ratepayers "lor electing him to tho position, remarking that tho fight, out of which he had emerged successful, had been the cleanest ever fought in the district. Although he (tho speaker) could not promise tho ratepayers any fancy schemes, bo would do his best to forward the interests of the people and the borough as a whole.

The other candidates came forward and congratulated Mr. Baldwin on his success.

Mr. Baldwin, tho successful candidate, had previously contested the mayoral seat ill 1911 and 1912 against Mr. E. P. Bunny, the retiring Mayor, but was defeated on both occasions. Last year Mr. Bunny was returned unopposed, but ho did not seek re-election this year. Mr. Baldwin lias been a resident of the Hutfc for a considerable number of years. Ho at present occupies the positions of chairman on the Hutt Bivcr Board, Hutt Park 'Committee, and Hutt School Committee, secretary to the Hutt Fire Brigade, and district member on the Wellington Hosnital and Charitable Aid Board.