TOWN BOARD ELECTION.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 18 September 1912, Page 2

TOWN BOARD ELECTION.

The biennial election of the Helensville Town Board this year (1912) has caused more interest in the township and district than any previous election, and practically more general comment locally than the recent Parliamentary elections. During the past few months election matters have been before most of the ratepayers, and as time drew near interest in local Town Board affairs became almost exciting, and from the closing of nominations last Wednesday, till the closing of the Poll to-day, the only topic of conversation was "Who are you going to vote for?" There were nine candidates in the field, who were practically formed into two parties, with two independent members who had elected to sit on the cross-benches.

The first to address the electors publicly was Mr Jas. Stewart (the chriaman) who had advertised his ticket with Mr R. M. Cameron and Dr Meinhold. This meeting took place in the Sample Rooms on Saturday evening, and was well attended by ratepayers. Mr Stewart gave the history of the Board for the past two years, and was listened to with only one or two interjections. He concluded by asking no one to vote solely for himself, but to also vote for those associated with him. Mr Cameron also spoke, dealing principally with Jiolding on to the Hot Springs as the people's property. On Monday handbills were distributed quietly about the streets; one from the Ratepayers' Association giving their ticket of four: Messrs J. McLeod, A. Becroft, J. A. Wilson, and J. Hand, as an Independent Progressive and Fair Play Board; the other handbill advocated Messrs Stewart, Cameron, and Dr Meinhold, as Vote for Progress, thus leaving Messrs Rimmer and Megson as no-side independents. Monday night the looked-for last meeting of the old Board was held, but there was not much music, as the Chairman expressed his intention, and did vacate the chair, at the end of the financial overture. Tuesday evening was set aside for Mr McLeod's reply, and the Foresters' Hall contained a very large assembly of ratepayers and others to hear him reply to the Chairman's address, and he also got an attentive hearing, after which he answered a number of questions. POLLING DAY ' This morning everything was astire, at an early hour and the Polling booth : which opened ,at 9 a.m with the Returning Officer and 3 scrutineers in. their places showed signs that business was to be brisk, and that a record poll would be taken. Gigs, and buggies, and other vehicles were soon plying the streets aud independent of whom they were going to vote the electors drove to the booth and back to their destinations, while candidates were here and there, and canvassers were busy'; and amongst the latter was the Hospital deg « Bobby," gaily attired in the Doctor's blue, doing a roaring trade, if being taken notice of accounted for votes. Everyone appeared to bo enjoying the task of barracking for then- different choice, and the whole day went through in very good spirits' till the closing of the poll, the wait tor the declaration being passed ia good humoured heckling.

At 7.30 the, Returning Officer was greeted with cheers, and declared the voting as follows :— A. Becroft 205, B. M. Cameron 167, J. Hand 187, J A. Megson 66, J as . McLeod 70,' M. Memhold 143, J, C. Rimmer 26 Jas. Stewart 186, J, A. Wilson 191 and the five highest duly elected '

Each sxiccessful candidate received applause from his supporters, and several returned thanks.

436 333 votes were recorded out of