MR GEARD ELECTED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3265, 19 May 1943, Page 7

MR GEARD ELECTED

VACANCY ON COUNCIL COROMANDEL COUNTY ( TWO NAMES BEFORE MEETING Mr C. S. A. Geard was) at the May meeting of the Coromandel County Council, elected to fill the vacancy on the council caused by the resignation of Mr T. V. Whittle. On the motion of the chairman, Mr ■C. C. Rae, at the last meeting of the council, Cr. Whittle’s resignation was ’ accepted with regret and appreciation of the services rendered by Cr. Whittle who had, the chairman said, shown considerable ability and interest in county affairs and had proved to be a good citizen in every way, was placed on record. This was seconded by Mr E. M. Minifie and carried. Other councillors paid tribute to the ability of Cr. Whittle, mentioning his unbiased interest in the county generally and his unfailing sense of honour. Filling Vacancy The question of electing somebody to fill the vacancy caused by Mr Whittle’s resignation was the next business on the order paper. The Emergency Regulations were read showing that it was the responsibility of the council to fill the vacancy for the balance of the term. ■ The chairman then called for nominations. It was proposed by Cr. A. J. Denize and seconded by Cr. H. C. Bull that Mr E. Deeble be elected to fill the vacancy. A further nomination was then made by the chairman that Mr C. ;S. A. Geard be elected to fill the vacancy. This was seconded by Cr. E. M. Minifie. r The chairman intimated that there was a letter supported by a number of signatures of ratepayers in support ■of Mr Deeble’s nomination hnd although it had not been received in the office until Monday afternoon he moved that any standing orders or rules governing the presentation of petitions be suspended so that due consideration could be given to it. This was seconded by Cr. E. M. Minifie and carried. Wish of Ratepayers ’ Cr. Denize, speaking in support of Mr Deeble’s nomination, suggested that the council take into consideration the request of . the ratepayers, and if they were genuine ratepayers, they should take very great cognisance of that request. It seemed feasible to support the wish of a large number of ratepayers. He further pointed out that the present-day method was to elect the candidate polling the next highest number of votes at the general election, and as Mr Deeble had polled fourth, when only three were required, it was evident that he was the ratepayers’ favoured nominee and he therefore considered Mr Deeble’s nomination should be supported. Petition From Ratepayers

The nomination was signed by 79 bona fide ratepayers while two telegrams were received at the meeting also supporting it. Crs. <H. C. Bull and T. E. Simpson both spoke in support of Mr Deeble’s nomination. Cr. Minifie spoke of Mr Geard’squalities and these remarks were endorsed by Cr. J. E. Jackson, who pointed out that Mr Geard would be a sympathetic councillor with regard to the farmers’ access roads, etc. Man of Sound Judgment The chairman, in supporting his nomination, pointed out that there was a total of 454 ratepayers in the Coromandel Riding and that 'therefore the signatures in support of Mr Deeble’s nomination were in reality only a comparatively small .proportion of ratepayers. He then placed Mr Geard’s resignation as county assessor on tne taoie. “My candidate, Mr Geard,” continued the chairman, “is a good farmer and a man of sound judgment. ’ The cnairman, then put to the vote the nominations in the order they were proposed. Uis. A. J. Denize, H. C. Bull and T. E. Simpson voted in favour of Mr Deeoie. There being only three votes in favour of Mr Deeme being elected a snow of hands of those m xavour of Mr Geard being etecwo. was uiKen, the result being Crs. E. M. minifie, A. Watkins, J. G. Strongman, J. E. Jackson and C. C. Rae. Mr Geard Elected The chairman declared Mr C. S. A. Geard duly elected and asked him to take his seat at the council table. Mr Preece, on behalf of the supporters of Mr E. Deeble who were present thanked Mr Rae for the creditable manner in which he had dealt with the election.