THE MAYORALTY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 98, 25 April 1912, Page 5

THE MAYORALTY.

\ TWO TO ONE MAJORITY FOR MR. KIRKWOOD. ELECTORS LAX IN VOTING. As previously stated, about two hundred burgesses had exorcised their franchise by two o’clock yesterday, but thereafter voting was more animated, and the cabs and motor cars of the two candidates were called upon to make a great number of trips in bringing voters to the polling place in the very inclement weather. Very soon after seven o’clock tne result was available, and the front door of the Town Hall was thrown open and the public were invited inside. Here they found the two candidates seated on the stage with the Returning Officer, Mr. R. Skoglund, seated between them. Naturally, everybody looked at the faces of the contestants, expecting to read the result there. Mr McAllister smiled, Mr. Kirkwood was soldmp. Those who interpreted the smile as the contented smile of triumph were mistaken. Mr. McAllister may have smiled the smile of the happy victor —he actually smdec. the smile of the unperturbed v«inouished. Mr. Kirkwood may have had the solemnity which can only be looked for in the vanquished—he actually had the solemnity which is the due of the vanquished from the victor. Mr. Skoglund announced the result of the polling as follows: —

Kirkwood 473 McAllister 223 Informal 7

Hearty but unorganised cheering followed', and when it subsided a voice, probably that of Dr. Paget, said audibly, “And three more!” and three hearty and well organised cheers were given. Mr. Kirkwood, who was applauded on rising, said: First and foremost I wish to return my most sincere thanks to those ladies - and gentlemen who acted on my committees, and I know that the gentlemen will not lie jealous when I mention the ladies specially. I could not hope to have a more enthusiastic and energetic committee than my ladies’ committee has, to-day. proved to be. I desire also to thank those who, outside my committee, worked for me, and those also who voted for me. I desire also to refer to my opponent, and to 'assure him that it is better to have fought and lost than never to have fought at all. (Applause.) One thing I must, say against him—he got the Poet Laureate ‘of Stratford to sing his praises. (Laughter.) I think Mr McAllister will take his beating in the spirit of a gentleman.' (Applause.) My victory has been a decided one, though I do not desire to deprecate the excellent fight put up by Mr. McAllister. I told you in this hall last night when delivering my address that if I was elected [ would regard it as a mandate to carry out the programme enunciated last night. And I take it that when a programme of borrowing is brought down you will adopt it. I will not bring down a borrowing policy which C I think vou will not or should not . adopt. There can be no suggestion,of personal benefit in the matter of loans.

I already enjoy the advantages which yon would enjoy as a result of a loan. Last night I had occasion to criticise the finances of fjltratforcl, but 1 desire you to understand that I believe the finances of the town to be strong, ' though they should be operated in a different manner. If you will agree to reasonable loans the overdraft will disappear altogether. It is my earnest desire that all sections of the communi ity will unite in furthering the progress, of our town. I will not detain you further, but will call for three Mr. McAllister. _ i ■ The cheers were heartily given. Mr. McAllister, who was also greeted with applause on rising, said; I will he very brief. First of all I must thank those who worked for me and voted for me. The poll shows that the combination aga : nst me was too strong for me Against those who voted againstmo to-day I have nothing to say; and , after to-day I hope we shall be as good \ friends as ever. 1 give those who voted against mo credit for being conscientious, and for believing that they voted for the best man. I mush certainly express my sincere thanks to the two hundred and twenty odd burgesses who cast their votes in my favour. I extend to Mr. Kirkwood my hearty congratulations; and if he advances schemes which I believe to be in the best interests of the Borough he will have my most cordial support. This defeat will have no- influence on me in

our relations as Mayor and Councillor. I ask you to join in throe cheers for Mr. Kirkwood. J The cheers were given with much gusto. Mr. McAllister: And one for the Returning Officer. These cheers were given with even more heartiness than those for the candidates, and then the gathering dispersed. IN OTHER CENTRES. New Plymouth, April 2d. G. W. Browne (sitting Mayor) 701, J. S. S. Medley 639; informal 12. HAWERA. Hawera, April 24. A. W. Gillies 364, H. K. Whittington (the retiring Mayor) 217. TAIHAPE. Taihape, April 24.

There was a keen contest for the Mayoralty, and record voting resulted in Mr.' Nathan, the retiring Mayor, defeating Mr. H. D. Bennett by 14 votes. OORE. Gore, April 21. Mr. Popplewell was elected by a majority of 71 over Mr. McDougall. MASTERTON. * Masterton, April 24. In the Mayoral election to-day Mr. J M. Coradine, the retiring Mayor, was re-elected by a substantial majority over Councillor T. G. Hoar. PALMERSTON NORTH. Palmerston, April 24. Mr. J. A. Nash 2250 defeated Mr. F. J. Nathan 941. Mr. Alfred Seifert «;s elected to the vacancy on the >uncil by a majority of 902 over Messrs. Tasker and Wollerman. WESTPORT. Westport, April 24. Mr. J. F. 0 reenwood was elected for the sixth year in succession by 919 votes to Mr. A. Leaver’s 683. A referendum was also taken on the question of allowing concerts to be held on Sundays, tho voting being: For 971, against 590. BLENHEIM. Blenheim, April 24. Councillor Corry 012, Mr. C. J. Griffiths 435, Mr. J. J. White 295.

TIAIARU. Timaru, April 21. Mr. T. Hawkey 1590 defeated Mr. W. H. Hunt 863. WANGANUI. . Wanganui, April 24. Air. C. E. Alackay 1955, Air. Alouli 700. The proposal to raise a loan of £25,000 for municipal buildings ami an Opera House was lost by 885 to 597. For the Wanganui East Mayoralty, Alfred Burton beat John Jones, the retiring Mayor, by 100 votes. J. Vv. Lux ford was elected to the vacancy on the Wanganui East Borough Council. INVERCARGILL. Invercargill, April 21. The Mayoral contest passed off very quietly toMay. There were two candidates. Alessrs. W. B. Scandrott and A. Bain. The voting resulted in favour of the former by 756 votes, the numbers'being; Scandrott 1959, Bain 1203. The Labour Party has nominated Air. M. J. Fordo as a candidate for the Council vacancy caused by Air Scandrett’s elevation. CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch, April 24. H. Holland (Labour) 1127, Dr. Thacker 2931, J. J. Dougall (retiring Mayor)' 2637. LEVIN. Levin, April 25. The Mayoral election at Levin aroused a good deal of interest, being the first contested one for three years. B. R. Gardener- (Mayor) was re-elect-ed, polling 374 votes against'224 for his opponent, senior Councillor Blcnkhorn. WELLINGTON, Wellington, April 25. McLaren (Labour) 4235, Biss 1634, Smith 1907, Wright 1557. AUCKLAND. Auckland, April 25. Parr 10,093, Skelton 3543.