THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1915. PUKEKOHE'S NEW COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 33, 30 April 1915, Page 2

THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1915.

PUKEKOHE'S NEW COUNCIL

" We nothing exttnuate, nor lei down auaht in malm."

The result of the elections on Wednesday last in Pukekohe should afford very capable administration of the town's affairs for the next two years. Mr H. G. R. Mason, who succeeds Mr Lawrie as Mayor, pledged himself in the policy he submitted to the (lectors to progress in every possible way so far as finances will allow. Mr Mason, although he enters the Council as a novice, certainly has the ability to carry through to a conclusion measures that he brings forward and with the loyal and cordial support of Councillors the Borough of Pukekohe under Mr Mason's leadership should show substantial advancement before another election comes round. Also Mr Mason's legal training and knowledge should be of no little advantage in procedure adopted by the Council. Mr Lawrie, who by Wednesday's vote is called upon to hand over the reins of office to a successor, has done good service to the towD, but of late it has been apparent that a change of Mayor was advisable if a more enterprising and ambitious programme of local legislation was to be put under way. The fact that the Council had concluded the financial year with a credit balance on all accounts of something like £2OOO savoured of good finance but on the other hand the opinion was general that the town had been thereby deprived of improueinents that could have been undertaken, particularly in regard to tlie making of better roads to remedy a state of affairs that is far from being creditable to a town of the size and importance of Pukekohe. The polling for the eight seats on the Council made it evident that the blame for sins of commission and {pulsion] was cast un rather than on as out of five retiring members offering themselves for reelection only one (Mr R. McGough) failed to be again returned. The result was mainly in accord with general expectation. Mr Ivan Motion had the distinction of heading the poll by a substantial majority and few residents enjoy more personal popularity than he. The runner-up was Mr Comrie and that he stood so high in the list of successful candidates was a wellmerited tribute to the independent and outspoken discharge of duty that has consistently characterised his past membership of the Council. Mr Barter occupied third place and beiDg a man of leisure he should be an acquisition to the Council. Mr Patterson secured reward for his fearless and open criticism of Council doings by earning fourth honours, fifth place being filled by Mr Hubbard, who previously proved his worth as a Councillor. Next in order were Messrs Beatty, Clarke and Bilkey and of these Messrs Beatty and Bilkey have already won their spurs as Councillors whilst Mr Olarko goes into oflico as a successful business mau with credentials that- should make him a decidedly useful councillor.