MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2269, 28 April 1921, Page 3

MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

As evidenced by the number who recorded their votes'at yesterday’s poll, very little enthusiasm was shown in the bi-ennial election of nine Councillors from the twelve candidates offering. The candidates did not hustle to round up supporters, although one or two cars conveyed a number of electors to the poll. The apathy of the majority of electors was due possibly to the absence of a party or sectional contest, and further, that there was no new issue submitted. The water and drainage loan having been disposed of, and the work in progress. Of the twelve candidates offering, six were sitting Councillors, five of whom were retiumed, and the other losing his seat by a narrow margin. The four other successful candidates represent new . blood. At about 8.30 p.rn. the returning officer, Mr Trueman, announced the result of the poll, and stated that owing to the closeness of the votes a re-count would be made. This was done, but the result was not affected. A fair gathering assembled in front of the polling booth to hear the result, which was announced as follows: — F. D. WIIIBLEY .... 231 A. ROSS 224 *M. 11. WALKER ... 207 •R. J. THOMPSON .. 203 *G. C. COLEY 203 »C. C. RAND 174 A. N. SMITH 107 *R. BRYANT 101 E. G. MARTIN 100 Elected. *E. PARKIN 157 F. S. MOORHOUSE 154 11. lIAMER 100 Informal 4 “Sitting councillors. Only 320 votes out of 821 names on the roll were recorded, representing a percentage of 39.7. In 1913 the number of names on the roll was .1,038, and 785, representing 70.80 per cent., recorded their votes. In 1915 the roll contained 1,018 names, and 544 (53.40 per cent.) votes were recorded. In 1917 only 371 votes were recorded, out of a total bn the roll of ,909, a percentage of 40.81 voting. At the last election the roll contained 90S names, and 550 (55 per cent.) votes were recorded.

The following are the votes polled by candidates at yesterday’s poll at the elections of 1913, 1915, 191/ and 1919: Walker.—l9l7, 277; 1919, 240; 1921, 208.

Thompson. —1915, 3(51; 1917, 251; 1919, 353;1921, 203. Coley.— l9l3, 537; 1915, 307; 1917, 293: 1919, 284; 1921, 201. Rand.—l9l9, 283; 1921, 174. Bryant.—l9ls, 344; 1917. 198; 1919,'245: 1921, 101. Parkin—l9l9, 304: 1921, 157. A (-all was made for speeches by the candidates.

Mr F. D. Whibley thanked the elector.- for returning him at the top of. the poll, an honour which lie declared he did not anticipate. It was his first bid for public life, and lie would do his best to promote the welfare of' the town. In the Council lie would exercise an independent vote on all matters coming up for consideration.

Cr, M. 11. Walker, in returning thanks, said as in the past lie would continue to do his best in the interests of the borough as a whole. It was necessary in the present time of depression to keep a watchful eye on the finances. He had given careful attention to these matters in the past, and would see that in all expenditure the ratepayers’ interests were conserved.

' Mr E, G. Martin said he hoped his entry into the Council would re--ult in municipal progress, as in the past there had been too many armchair critics. He hoped he would he able to give the Council the right criticism to keep them awake. There may be a little hard-hitting in his criticism, but it would end at the Council table. He hoped he would justify the confidence reposed in him.

Cr. Rand thanked the electors for including him in the winning list, which showed that the electors appreciated hi- past services, He had done, his best, and would continue to do so in the future. Mr A. N. Smith said lie would endeavour to do his best in the interests uj' the borough, and hoped that at the conclusion of his two years’ -ervice his supporters would not regret the confidence reposed in him.

Mr 11. Hamer thanked all those who had supported him, and although defeated, was not discouraged, and on some future occasion would again offer his services. Mr Hitchins, returned thanks on behalf of Cr. G. Coley, who was unable to be present. In doing so, lie referred to the interest Cr. Coley had always evinced for the welfare of the borough, and could be relied upon to_serve them faithfully in the future. Cr. Coley had been referred to as “George the Growler,” but a good growler was beneficial to the Council.

The Mayor calk'd for three cheers - for the successful candidates, which were heartily given, The Mayor said that it was perhaps regrettable that there was not a wider selection of candidates. He believed, however, that a wise choice had been made. He did not mind fair criticism, but lie objected to carping criticism. The public should remember that the present Council was their choice, and if they were not satisfied the blame would be upon themselves. He hoped that all would work together for the eom- ■ rnon good.

(Labour) by G. 443 votes. The former polled 13,456, and the latter 7,013, Mr J. A. Nash defeated Mr Crabh by nearly 1,000 majority, and the following were elected to the Council :—Messrs S. R. Lancaster, M, H. Oram, M. A. Elliott, F. Needham, A. J. Graham, E. V. West, C. S. Spooner, F. Jackson and H, J. Canton. Mr Tincy defeated Mr Harford (retiring Mayor) for the Feilding mayoralty. Mr O. C. Pragncll was elected Mayor of Masterton. Wanganui.—Mr T. B. Williams. Napier,—Mr J. B. Andrew defeated J. Vigor Brown, retiring Mayor.