ELECTION PETITION

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1933, Page 6

ELECTION PETITION

STRATFORD’S MAYOR.

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

STRATFORD, May 19

A petition lias been lodged by twelve electors of Stratford Borough, ask.ng that the recent Mayoral election ha voided and Mayor J. W. McMillan ha declared not elected, on the gioi.nus that an alleged voting paper is missing. That unauthorised people we:e present at the polling place after the decla.ation of the poll; that a voting .paper was issued without a roll number being inserted on the counterfoil. That the alleged statement by Mr McMillan that he would reduce the honorarium and recommend a saving of £25, to bo donated to unemployed is alleged to be inproper. Objection is also taken to a circular issued by the secretary of McMillan’s committee, it is also alleged that the election of Mr McMillan, was not determined by lot, in accordance with the Act.

STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

NEW MAYOR CHANGES POLICY.

STRATFORD, May 17

The new Mayor ot Stratford (Mr j .W. McMillan), who wa s elected i»> the toss of a coin aftei he and his opponent, Mr Thomson, had received an equal number of votes, has been responsible for drastic changes in the Borough Council’s policy. On his casting vote, and in the face of considerable opposition, the Council lias decided to curtail drastically the number of its employees, a lid also to impose substantial wage cuts. Among those who havis; been dismissed are the borough engineer, the electrical engineei, and the caretaker ot reserves

The meeting at which this policy was decided lasted five hours, and the Mayor’s proposals lor staff reorganisation were warmly debated. The voting on tlie Mayor’s motion was equal, hut it was carried on his casting vote. Mr McMillan then proposed that the details of the scheme be discussed in committee, and after another heated debate this motion was also earned on his casting vote. The borough officers, newspaper representatives, and public were then excluded li'om the meeting, the minutes being taken by one of the councillors. It is estimated that the Mayor's programme will result in the saving of £2OOO annually. ' The ex-Mayor has published a statement strongly condemning the action taken, claiming that Mr McMillan had no mandate from the electors to do as lie had, and challenging him to resign and rccontest the Mayoralty, the loser to pay the expenses of the poll.