CITYCOUNCILELECTION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 166, 8 April 1919, Page 8

CITYCOUNCILELECTION

AMALGAMATION OF "TICKETS" SUGGESTED

31,950 ON NEW ROLL A meeting of prominent citizens anti ratepayers was held yesterday afternoon in connection with the coming City Council election. It was pointed out by -anous speakers that several "tickets" composed of electors having much in common had been announced, with the result that there was likely to be nearer fifty than forty candidates for the fifteen seats, and as it was impossible for more than Hint miniher to bo elected rliere might be surprises. It was suggested that if the organisers of the "tickets" referred to were to get together and arrange one big ticket, instead of having a. mimbc-r that would be bound to split the votes', the result might be more satisfactory ta all concerned, and more beneficial to the- city. AfteV the pros and cons 1-ad been discussed fairly freely, a. sub-com-mittee was appointed to interview tho various bodies which had arranged "tickets," with a view to something like amalgamation in the presentation to the, electors on April 30 of one big citizensticket. NUMBER ON THE BOLL. There are 31,950 names on the i\ew municipal electors' roll, compared v.'ith 23,940 m 1917.' e ME, T. BUSH ASKED TO STAND. A deputation of loading business men met Mr. Thomas Bush, at the Chamber of Commerce, and presented him with a numerously signed petition asking him to allow himself to be nominated for a seat on the City Council at tho coming elections., Speeches were made commending the good work which Mr. Bush hao done when he. was a. member of the council, and emphasising the point that his services as a councillor would bo most valuable. Members of the deputation staled that they were convinced that Mr. Bush had all the qualities of a success, fill councillor. The speakers includes Councillors W. H. Bennett, jr. F. Luckie, W. J. Thompson, R. A. Wright, M.P., and C. B. Norwood. Councillor Bennett pointed out that the faet that so many members of the council were represented was a testimony in itself, of the good work ex-Councillor Bush had done. Mr. Bush was not prepared to give a straight-out answer to the request. There were certain matters to be gone into before: he could give his consent to nomination, but he returned thanks to those who had asked him to stand, and to the speakers for their kind remarks as to his ability as a councillor. He asked that the matter; be left over for a few days pending Blatters likely to affect his answer.

At Eullfqrd's Hall, Brooklyn, lasteven.ing a meeting was held in support of the Labour candidates for the forthcoming municipal elections. The speakers in eluded Mrs. Aitkeh, Mr. ,C. H. Chapman, Mr. J. Head, Mr. R. H. Stickney, and Mr. P. Fraser, M.P. Special reference was made by the candidates to the inefficient refuse-collecting service and the want of progress in the electric light department. Mrs. ,T. Aitken protested against the idea of introducing tenement dwellings in the city, it being against the best interests of good citizenship. It would, she said, only accentuate Hie already overcrowded parts of the city, and would tend to stiJJ further increase rents.