MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 454, 29 April 1909, Page 3

MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

A. fair amount of interest was evidenced in yesterday’s municipal election by the burgesses ; 353 voters out of a total roll number of 669, recorded their votes. During the day most of the candidates were in attendance at the polling booth, and a number ot. vehicles had been engaged to bring the voters to the poll. Immediately after the poll closed, a crowd began to collect outside the . booth, j anxiously awaiting the result. Opinions as to the time that the result would be announced, ranged from 8.15 p.m. to it.3o. At about 9.30 a cheer rent the air, and it was said that the results were about to be announced, and people came running up to the booth from all directions, but, alas, it was a false alarm. As time wore on, the crowd diminished, and when the Returning Officer finally announced the result of the poll at 10 o’clock, there were only about 75 people present. The polling was as follows ; —• Coley 248 Devett 233 Jeuks ’ 211 Speirs 210 Gibbs 199 Adams 187 f Rae-Howard 186 Ross 186 Rimmer 181 Mandl 176 Ball ' 161 Robinson 137 Stewart 134 • The first nine were declared duly elected. Immediately after the result had been declared, several members of the Temperance Pat ty (or was it the liquor party ?) seized a beer barrel from the rear of the Post Office Hotel, and rolled it into the middle of the street, where it was up-ended, ready for the candidates to stand upon while returning thanks. The crowd demanded Cr Coley, but he could not be persuaded to ' mount the barrel, and event ually 1 his first lieutenant, Mr Hunt, was prevailed upon to say a few words on his behalf. Mr Hunt’s remarks were short and sweet and he ; briefly thanked the ratepayers for 1 the honourable position on the poll : to which Cr Coley had been elected. Mir Devett was next. He said 5 he desired to thank the electors . most heartily for the proud posi- 1 tion of second on the list. He would always do his best to safeguard the interests of the rate- ■ payers, according to his ideas. ( They all knew his programme, and he would not make any rash promises, but would endeavour to J carry out the different projects : that he had advocated in his notice to the electors, published in the Manawatu Herald. The electors must remember that if Foxton was to progress, the Council must have the assistance of the ratepayers, and they must borrow money for necessary improvements.

Room was then made on the barrel for Mr Speirs, who thanked the electors for placing him fourth on the list. He could assure them that he would do his best for the interests of Foxton. All his interests were-centered in Foxton, and as anything that would benefit the ratepayers, would also benefit him, they could rest assured that he would do his best for the town and its people. He was only one one out of ten in the Council, but he would faithfully consider all schemes brought before them. He also had a scheme of his own, which he would bring forward for the consideration of the Council. He was in favour of borrowing, provided that the money was spent in reproductive works. Dr. Adams was the next to be assisted on to the cask, by willing and stalwart hands. He said that, considering it was his first appearance in public life, and the very short time he had resided in Foxton, a great honour had been conferred upon him by electing him to a seat on the Borough Council. He would always do his best to further the interests of the ratepayers, and any project that was set down for the consideration of the Council, would receive his careful deliberation. He reminded them that the interests of the borough were in the hands of the ratepayers themselves, and the Borough Council desired their assistance and full consideration of all schemes submitted. After the doctor had vacated his place on the barrel, other candidates did not appear anxious to mount the cask, and it was found necessary to obtain the services of “Captain” Hynes to persuade . them to take the “stump.” The “captain” was ably assisted by “Lieutenant ” Spiers, and, after a careful search, newly-elected Cr Gibbs was “run to earth.” He made a great struggle to escape, but willing hands seized him, and ■, assisted the two “ scouts ” to hoist him oh to the barrel. Once there, ; he surrendered, and returned thanks to the electors for the position in which they had placed him on the poll, but said that he could not thank those who had put him in his position on the barrel! One of his chief supporters in electing him to his place on the barrel was Mr Frank Spiers—he had also supported him at the poll, but only on the promise that he (the speaker) would bring him to the booth in a motor car. He had endeavoured to do this, but could not obtain one, and was forced to fall back on Mr Perreau’s donkey. However, getting back to municipal matters, he would do all he could to further the interests of the ratepayers, and would en- - deavour to get as much as possible for the money expended. To be progressive, money / must be borrowed, hut if ajdy loan proJtii.j a> rto ■ -

posals were brought before the ratepayers, he would advise them to carefully consider same before committing themselves. The ratepayers could rest assured that the spending of rates and borrowed money would be fully considered by him, as he would have to pay his share of same, as well as the rest of the ratepayers. He concluded by thanking all those that had worked to ensure his return. Mr Rae-Howard was next lifted on to the barrel, and thanked the electors lor placing him amongst the chosen nine. He said he would do his best to carry out the promises he had made, and asked the ratepayers to carefully con sider any loan proposals that might be brought before them. Dr Mandl also returned thanks. He said that although not elected, he was pleased with the support he had received, because it was unsolicited. He felt sure that the candidates they had elected would justify the confidence reposed in f them. He concluded by stating that he hoped, on some future occasion, to again come forward as a candidate.

The “ scouts ” made a vigorous attempt to locate other candidates, but were unsuccessful.

Invercargii.e, April 28

The Mayoral election resulte d in the defeat of Mr Scandrett, who has held the office for five consecutive years. Mr C. S. Longuet, who was Mayor some years ago, has been returned by a majority of 250. Blenheim, April 28. In the Mayoral contest, Mr Archibald M’Callum was re-elected by a majority of 140 votes over Mr John Conolly. Nelson, April 28. Mr Jesse Piper was re-elected Mayor for the. fifth successive term by a majority ot 317 over Mr W. S. Hampsou. W estrort, April 28. In the Mayoral election to-day, Mr J. H. Greenwood was reelected for the third year in succession, defeating Mr Hans Larsen by 313 votes. Gisborne, April 28. The Mayoral election resulted in Mr W, D. Lysuar being reelected. He polled 1230 votes, and Mr W. Miller 934. Christchurch, April 28. For the Mayoralty, Mr C. Allison, the pseseut Mayor, polled 5425 votes, and Mr H. H. Loughnan 3318. Dannevirke, April 28. For the Danuevirke Mayoralty, Mr H. M. Ries, the sitting Mayor, defeated Mr J. Drummond. Masterton, April 28. Mr P. L. Hollings defeated Mr J. Hunter for the Mayoralty by 264 votes. Wanganui, April 28.

The results of the Mayoral election were as follow :—Mackay, i 486 votes; Muir 276 ; Battle, 197.

Levin, April 28

The poll lor seats on the Council resulted as follows :—Cameron i, Hudson 2, Mackenzie 3, Palmer 4, Levy 5, James Prouse 6, France 7, Lancaster 8, Hannan 9. Feilding, April 28. Mr W. B. I'rewin was again returned as Mayor, beating Mr 5. W. Fitzherbert. Makton, April 28. Mr R. E. Beckett defeated Mr John M'Eldowney, the present Mayor, by seventeen votes. Dunedin, April 28. The Mayoral election resulted in the Mayor (Mr J. M’Donald) being defeated by 40 votes, the figures being as follows rWalker, 3343; M’Donald, 3303. Wellington, April 28. Dr Newman was elected Mayor of Wellington. The voting being Newman 4523, Wilford 4239, Fisher 3208, Rigg 824, Bolton 616. Mr Joseph George Harkness was elected Mayor of Onslow. Mr Edmund Percy Bunny was elected Mayor at the Hutt. Palmerston N., April 28. The following councillors were elected : Messrs Armstrong, Haydon, Palmer, Stubbs, Clausen, M’Keuzie, Hewitt, O’Reilly, and F. Mowlem. Mr Nash was returned as Mayor unopposed. At Karori, Mr C. J. Daseut was elected Mayor. Eastbourne Mayoralty resulted in Mr John Barr being elected.