MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 379, 30 April 1908, Page 3

MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

Palmerston. —The keenest interest was evinced over the Palmerston Mayoralty. The three candidates offering were Messrs Essex (Mayor), Crs Nash and Haydon. From the time Cr Nash consented to be nominated it was apparent that the battle would centre between K s sex and Nash- As a result of happenings in the Council the issue would convey either an indorsement of Mayor Essex’s actions in the Council or otherwise, and both candidates set to work with vigour. Committees were formed and public meetings addressed. Unloilnnately, a good deal of bitterness was introduced into the contest owing to indiscreet press utterances which might otherwise hive been avoided. Motor cars and vehicles of all description; weie requisitioned to convey voters to the polls, and the booths throughout the day presented a veiy animated appearance. The Kssexiles we.e disti iguished by red badges, and the Nashites by heliotrope. At about 8 o’clock a tremendous crowd assembled near the Opera House, “ wailing to hear the verdict,” and a great hush u-hered the approach of the Reluming Officer, who delivered the result, which was as follows:—). A. Nash, 1518; R. Kssex, 1232 ; H. Haydon, 102. Cr Nash, the newly elected Mayor, received a great ovation on making his appearance on the balcony to return bis thanks for being returned at the head of the poll, and generously extended the right hand of fellowship to his defeated opponent —Mr Essex. Mr Essex, accompanied by his wife, also returned thanks. Cr Haydon was accorded a splendid reception, and took his defeat like a man, thanked all who had voted for him, and expressed his satisfaction at the result. Mrs Essex also made a few remarks and hoped Cr Nash would do as well as her husband had done during his terra of office. She was accorded a hearty round of applause and cheers. The Editor of the morning paper was subject to a hostile demonstration, by a section of the crowd, and was dragged along the ground until rescued by Several of his friends. He, however, managed to retain hold of one of his assailants, who was given in charge. Owing to Cr Haydon failing to poll one-eighth of the votes recorded by the successful candidate, he forfeits his deposit of ,£lO.

Not for many years has the contest for the Mayoralty of Wellington excited so much interest as that which was decided yesterday. The silting Mayor, the Hon. T. W. Hislop, and an ex-Ma> r or, Mr J. G. W. Aitken, M.P. for Wellington East, were early in the field, and conducted a vigorous campaign for five weeks. The polling was very heavy, and the streets were crowded last night with people anxious to know the result.

The total shows that 14,812 votes were cast, as compared with 8600 last year. The result is as follows: Hislop 9192, Aitken 5549 ; majority for Hislop 3634. Mr Hislop addressed some thousands of electors from the Times balcony, and then went to the Town Hall to address a large crowd awaiting him there. Miramar.—C. J. Crawford (retiring Mayor) 426, F. Townsend 303-

Greytown.—D. P. Loasby 223, J, D. Heagarty 122. Timaru.—Craig 715, Hawkey 2 59Eastbrook. —John Jones 281, R. Neilson 195. Kumara. —J. A. Murdoch 174, R. Rouse 103. Ross. —T, W. Bruce 134, J. Grimmond 80.

Kketahuna. —A. H. Herbert, former Mayor, 141 ; Haswell 133. Stratford.—George Sangster 381, W. P. Kirkwood 352,

New Plymouth. —G. Tisch 795, F. Bellringer 533, W. A. Collins ! 4 1.

Hawera.—H. W. Sutton 329, J. Foy 146. Taurauga.—John Bull 184, Rev. Canon Jordon 142.

Westport. Greenwood, reelected, 694; A. C. Hansen 560. Dunedin. —Cr McDonald 3544, Cr Walker 2378. Result came as a surprise to the majority of the residents, who expected Walker to win easily. North Fast Valley.—Green, retiring Mayor, was re-elected by a majority of 208. Moruington.—Le Cren, retiring Mayor, returned by a majority of 158. Maori Hill. —Butterfield. St. Kilda. —McFarlane.

Masterton. —P. Hollings 717, J. M. Coradine, present Mayor, 706. Hastings.—T. J. Thompson, retiring Mayor, 505 ; L. W. Fowler 392, A. A. George 154, W. Eane 9iBlenheim. —A McCallum, reelected, 560, E. H. Penny 336. Nelson. —J. Piper 1024, W. S. Hampson 597. Invercargill.—ScandrefT 1049, Macfarlane 857. Gore. —A. A. McGibbon 396, J. Speden 335. Mataura. —J. Galt 205, Thos. McGibbon 107. Gisborne.—D. Eysnar 1136, Dr Williams 808.