BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 564, 3 May 1913, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

INTERESTING CONTEST,

For a considerable time popular interest has been centred on the election of councillors to represent the bugesses on the borough council. For the office of Mayor, Mr J. Uoddie wsb returned unopposed, but for the nine seats on the council fourteen candidates were nominated. The Ratepayers and Citizen' Association, which was formed recently, extended its support to five candidates who standing for tho first time, and the interest aroused by the association served to lend additional excitement to an event which always stirs the public mind to a groater or less extent. It was arranged that the doclaration of tho poll would be made in the Municipal Hall as soon as the count had been completed, and from an early hour the hall was fillod with an expectant crowd. All tho candidates with tho exception of Major Luak, whu was absent in Auckland, occupied seats in tho hall, and during the period of waiting much good humoured badinage was indulged in. The entranco of the returning officer, Mr F. E. Lamb, shortly after nine o'clock, was the signal for attention, and the poll was declared as followsll. Matthew 237, A. F. Howarth 226, R. M. Somerville 216, J. F. Walsh IS9, M. J. Jones 189, Woßtyn .Tones LSI?, J. R. Graham 171, W. Mabbett IM. L, G. P. Spencer 153, F. Langntone 140, D. J. y 0 ung 139, D. H. Luok 109, F. Lover 102, R. B. Webber 77.

The firat nine were declared duly elected. After the poll had boon declared each of the candidates addressed the meeting expressing hearty thanks for the support extended to them. Mr Boddie was called upon for a speech, and expressed his pleasure at the result of the poll, and at the good feeling which had prevailed throughout the election. He paid a tribute to the unsuccessful candidates, all of whom would have been useful men on the council. He returned thanks on behalf ot Major Lutsk, who was unavoidably absent, and apologised on behalf of Mr E. H. Hardy, Mayor, for that gentleman's absence. The 3peaker said he regarded it. as a good omen that the electic light had been turned on for the first timo that nighty He paid a tribute to the (inn work accomplished by the engineer and contractors, and drew attention to the fact that the installation had been completed according to contract time to the exact day. Cheers were given for the successful candidates and the meeting dispersed.