Nominees waiting

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 303, 8 September 1989, Page 2

Nominees waiting

Ruapehu District Council general manager Cliff Houston was still waiting yesterday morning to hear if seven late nominations for council can be accepted.

At the time of going I to press yesterday I morning Mr Houston I said he was expecting I an answer from I Wellington at any time. Seven nomination I forms for six people I were delivered to the I Ohakune office of the I Waimarino District | Council early on Friday I to be taken to the reI turning officer (Mr I Houston) in Taumarunui. I The forms were given to I mayoral candidate Gor- ■ don Mottram in an unaddressed, sealed envelope.

The nominees were Bob Vine, Bill Peach, Winstone Oliver, Bill Farmer, Sue Rodger and Donna Riddler. Mr Mottram, who was on his way to Taumarunui to deliver other nomination forms, said he knew the envelope contained nomination forms but did not know who they were for. Mr Mottram said the envelope becamfe mislaid amongst other letters and posters in his car and the mistake was not discovered until after the midday nominations closing time. Mr Houston has said he believed the mistake was genuine and that it should be corrected if there is any legal way possible. He said he does not have the legal power to do so and it may take the Governor General to validate the irregularity. That process must go through the Department of In-

ternal Affairs, the Minister and then to the Governor General through cabinet. Mr Houston said while the arrangements had been made to have the nominations taken through to Taumarunui, it is ultimately the responsibility of candidates to ensure they are in the hands of the returning officer by the set time. Mr Mottram said he has written to the nominees to apologize and had offered a public apology. He said none had requested a public apology. It is not yet certain whether Mr Mottram asked council staff if they wanted him to take the nominations to Taumarunui or if the staff had asked him. Mr Mottram says he was asked but council staff say he asked them if he could take any nomination forms for them. Whichever is the case, Mr Mottram told the Bulletin "I am prepared, and I feel I must, take all of the blame."