MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4827, 30 March 1925, Page 2

MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

MR. H. J. HARE TO STAND.

DEPUTATION WAITS ON MR. LAMB,

A deputation of Paeroa business men, comprising Messrs C. N. O’Neill, S. J. Hedge, 11. E. Butler, D. Brown, P. Williams. W. H. Blakeway, D. Leach, and D. McWatters, waited on Mr H. J. Haro at. his office on Friday morning with a request that he allow himself to be nominated for a seat on the local borough council at the municipal election to be held next month.

Spqaking for the deputation, Mr D. Leach said that the business people or Paeroa, at least, realised that Mr Hare had the interests of the town nt heart, and also that he was a capable and successful business man, whose sound knowledge of public affairs would command notice and respect in the community, and the deputation earnestly sought his assistance to guide the destinies of the borough. Mr O’Neill supported the remarks made by Mr Leach, .and said that the people readily recognised that Mr Hare had dope a lot for the town, especially in his capacity as a member of the Hauraki Plains County Council. In the civet it of his candidature for municipal honours being successful on polling day tne speaker considered that the borough would no fortunate in having a man of Mr Hare’s calibre - and business acumen on its council. If Mr Hare would consent to allow himself to be nominated Mr O’Neill said that he felt sure he would receive the hearty support of the burgesses. Mr Blake way said that hp had bedn associated with Mr Hare for some twelve years, and could not speak too highly of his scrupulous fairness and business integrity.

In reply to the deputation Mr Hare expressed thanks for the eulogistic references that had been made. He stited that it was just over fourteen years since he first came into the district, and he certainly had the interests of Paerpa at heart, and had unbounded faith in its future development and prosperity. He had done what he could to keep the town, prominently before the settlers on the Hauraki Plains because lie foresaw the great possibilities that must accrue if development was pursued on progressive lines. He had given no thought to seeking municipal honours, and he considered that such a position necessitated the sacrifice of considerable time from private affairs. In view of the representative deputation that had waited on him he would consent to nomination and would willingly fight an election if necessary.. Ji returned he would use his best endeavours to further the development, of the borough on sound progressive lines, and at all timers work in the interests of what was best for the ratepayers. DEPUTATION TO MR. LAMB. A large, deputation also waited on Mr G.'P. Lamb at the office of Mr Klatt on Friday last. In introducing the deputation Mr J>Leach said it had been rumoured that Mr Lamb was retiring from the Borough Council next month and would not offer himself for re-election. It was the wish of the deputation, to wait on Mr Lamb and try to persuade him to carry on for a further .term. Paeroa was about to enter into a period of progress where business acumen and foresight must play -a prominent part. He contended that there had never been a time when the town had so much at stake at; at the present, and it was considered desirable that the progressive works undertaken during the last two years by the council should be pushed to a successful conclusion. As Mr Lamb was familiar wiht the works in hand, it was considered that it was in the best interests of the ratepayers that he should act for a further term at least. Mr Leach said he realised from experience that the job of a councillor was no sinecure, but Mr Lamb had made a successful councillor, and it was unanimously desired that he should ocntlnue to serve the ratepayers. Mr O’Neill asked Mr Lamb to earnestly consider the request of so representative a deputation, and said is was recognised that the position made a heavy call on the time of a business man, but if it was possible he would like to sqp Mr Lamb stand again and endeavour to arrange matters so that the giving of time to borough affairs would not conflict with his private business interests. Mr S. J. Hedge endorsed .the; remarks of the previous speakers, and said that the borough coul.d ill-afford to lose a man of Mr Lamb’s ability at tlio present stage of its development. In reply to the deputation Mr Lamo mentioned that he had decided prior to the last, election not to stand, but owing to the difficulty existing at that time to otbain a sufficient number of candidates he had given in and accepted a further term of office. However, at the present time} he did not see how he could afford the time to carry on. In explanation of the position Mr Lamb said that about 90 per cent of his business was obtained outside of Paeroa, and for that reason alone it was necessary tor him not to be hampered in aaiy way if he wished to conserve his private interests. He did not hold with the idea that the l same men should be returned to the council election after election. New blood was always desirable. and he would much prefer to see some of the younger men offer their services to the borough. There was no one keener that he was to see the town go ahead, and what services he had rendered had been given cheerfully ; but in fairness to his directors he did not see how he could spare the - time for a further term. He would like to point out that when he first sought municipal honours he had a partner in his business, - but since his partner’s death a great deal more work and responsibility had been thrown on his shoulders. However, he did not wish to ignore the request of so large and representative a deputation, and he would earnestly’’consider the matter and advise the deputation of his decision within the next few days.