MAYORAL AND COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 270, 27 April 1917, Page 1

MAYORAL AND COUNCIL ELECTIONS

At Pukekohe.

A record poll was taken at Pukekohe on Wednesday for the Mayoral and Borough Council elections, the selection of the day of the weekly half-holiday also being submitted to a referendum of the electors. Out of 988 voters, on the roll, a number that included a fair proportion of soldiers, "removals" and other absentees, no less than 724 exercised the franchise.

Polling was very brisk throughout the day and especially in the afternoon, due to a half-holiday being observed in celebration of Anzac Day. Between 5 and C p.m. 11l votes were cast and in the last hour 98 votes. The polling booth accommodation proved quite inadequate for the occasion, long queues of intending voters being compelled to wait lengthy periods in the passage way leading to the Council Chamber, several persons grudging the waste of time and departing without voting. Mr Costello had a good organisation at work on his behalf and many motor cars were briskly running round in his interest, a large number of " out" voters being brought in. The counting of the mayoral votes was concluded by 8 p.m., when the figures were announced, but it was nearly 10.30 p.m. before the count was finished for the Council contest and the half-holiday issue. A large crowd was waiting for the declaration of the Council poll and loud cheers greeted the figures as read out by the Returning Officer (Mr J • F. Deane). ✓ The figures as announced on Wednesday underwent some slight alteration as the result of the official count yesterday, the following being the correct returns, viz. : MAYORAL ELECHON. H. G. R. Mason .. .. 407 J. Costello .. .. 312

Majority for Mason .. 95 COUNCIL ELECTION. D. R. Hamilton .. .. 498 AP. Daysh .. .. 491 A. B. Barter .. .. 484 F.J.Morrow .. .. 482 J. T. Stembridge .. 454 G. Armstrong ~ .. 447 R.'Bilkey 446 J. Patterson .. .. 380 UNSUCCESSFUL. 11. G. Lysnar .. .. 361 HALF-HOLIDAY POLL. For Saturday .. .. 514 For Wednesday .. .. 182 Majority for Saturday .. 332 The Mayor (Mr Mason) and Messrs Barter, Bilkey and Patterson were the only members of the old Council who offered themselves for re-election. SPEECHES

Responding to a call for a speech the Mayor (Mr H. G. R. Mason), who was warmly received, expressed his appreciation of the record vote given him, saying he recognised it was a reward for what he had attempted to do and an answer to those who had tried to obstruct him. He took the opportunity of acknowledging the excellent and fair way in which lis opponent (Mr Costello) had conducted the fight. He hoped that the result of the poll would mean the end of diity work that had been introduced, which tended to no one's good and should be suppressed. Cr Baiter, in re urning thanks for his election, said his only aim was the prosperity and welfare of Pukekohe and he would do all ho could to make Pukekohe one of the most prosperous towns in the North Island.

Cr Daysh, in a few remarks, expressed his pleasure, and even surprise, at finding himself so high up on the poll. Cr Armstrong stated that he appreciated the confidence reposed in him and ho was of opinion that if moil were going to bo secured to accept public office mud - throwing should not be countenanced. Cr Morrow assured his hearers that ho would do his best in the interests of the ratepayers.