The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1917 THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 270, 27 April 1917, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1917 THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

"We not/img extenuate, nor set down auahl in malice."

Otahuhu and Pukekohe, the only two boroughs in the Lower Waikato, were both engaged in the municipal elections held on Wednesday last and in either instance sharp contests were fought for mayoral and Council honours, whilst Pukekohe also by ballot determined its day for the weekly half-holiday. At Otahuhu tho Ratepayers' Association gained the victory by socuring the election of Mr A. Me Donald as Mayor and four of its other nominees as Councillors, tho Association's platform advocating an alteration of " present unsatisfactory management of Borough affairs" Mr A Boss, the ex-Town Clerk and a retiring member of the Council, was tho defeated candidate for the mayoralty and of tho six would-bo Councillors that stood on Mr Ross' ticket throe only wore successful, tho other Council soat going to CV II ill, who offered hims-lf fur re-election as in " independent." Tho Ratepiyers' Association worked Inrd and vigorously and wore aided by a strong '•anvassing Committee.

The result of the mayoral election at Pukekoho occasioned no little surprise as from outward appearances the activities of Mr Co.stello's supporters and the fact that Mr Mason (the retiring Mayor'* left the

issue to the people without having the assistance of a committee led to the belief that organisation would secure its reward in a win for Mr Costello. However, Mr Mason gained the verdict, which he had every reason to claim was an indication to him of the electors' approval of the policy he had submitted to tho Council during the past two yeurs. Although not dofinitely divided into two parties it was an open secret that of the nine candidates for the eight Council seats live were associated with Mr Costello and four with Mr Mason, and here again Mr Mason scored by the latter all being successful.

Now that the battles have been waged and the issues determined sores and grievances that may have arisen should bo put aside, both at Otahuhu and Pukekohe, and loyal and ready support accorded to the victors. The electors have made their choice in either instance and such should be cheerfully accepted as the will of the people so that either Borough may have an united community intent only on progress and prosperity.

For our own part we are free to confess that we have not seen eye to eye with Mr Mason in his administration of the Pukekohe Council business but we recognise that it is the wish of the public, as indicated at the poll, that he should receive all possible encouragement in the programme of work 4 he has mapped out. In the half-holiday poll at Pukekohe Saturday was selected as the day of the holiday by a decisive majority and the fact that a poll has now been taken will relieve the Borough Council of its past responsibility of making the choice every year.