Who’s Who in the City Elections

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 25, 21 April 1927, Page 1

Who’s Who in the City Elections

Notes on Candidates In view of the number of Candidates who are contesting the City Council election, and the impossibility of electors being acquainted with all of them, THE SUN has prepared a short note on the personal history of each candidate, and these will be published in daily sections.

MAYORAL CANDIDATES MR. G. BAILDON: The present mayor, who is a candidate for a repetition of the honour, is a Thames boy who came to Auckland in 1878 with his father, a building contractor. Mr. Baildon became secretary of the Builders’ and Contractors’ Union, and ultimately president. At 25 years of age he was

elected to Archhill Road Board, subsequently rising to chairman. Later he resided at Grey Lynn and became a member of the Borough Council, eventually again rising to the chief position, and being mayor when Grej Lynn was amalgamated with the city in 1914. Continuing his career ir the same manner, he became deputy mayor under Sir James Gunson, and finally two years ago, reached the position of chief citizen, as Mayor of Auckland. * * * MR. J. A. WARNOCK: Twenty-five 3 r ears of service with local bodies stands to the credit of Mr. Warnock. He was born in Auckland in 1872. After leaving Auckland Grammar School he joined the native volunteers, rising to the rank of lieutenant. He then started to follow in his father’s footsteps, his father having been mayor of Grey Lynn from 1873 to 1902. In the latter year Mr. Warnock was elected to Grey Lynn Borough Council, and he became -a member of the City Council on the amalgamation with the city, and has since retained his position. He has been chairman of the Parks Committee for ten years, less one term, and is the present deputy-mayor. He is chairman of directors of two companies, and a director in several others. His Mayoralty campaign is supported by the Citizens’ Committee and the P.P.A. MR. T. BLOODWORTH: Mr. T. Bloodworth is the Labour candidate for the Mayoralty. He is 45 years of age, and has, during most of his life, been connected with the executive side of workers' organisations. He was born in Lincolnshire, England. He worked in England and America, and eventually reached Auckland in 1910. Feeling that he could go further and fare far worse he took up residence, and after being auditor to the organised carpenters finally became their local secretary, and embarked on an amalgamation scheme which has proved highly successful. He was unsuccessful in an attempt on a Parliamentary seat in' 1919, but the same year was elected ' to the city council, and improved his position to take the head of the poll by a substantial majority last election. He is also a member of the Harbour Board, and at various times has been on different school committees. * * * MR. H. SCHMIDT: Another Aucklander is Mr. H. Schmidt, who polled heavily against the present mayor at last mayoral election. Mr. Schmidt was born in Auckland in 1882, aud has for twenty years been well-known as a chemist, assayist, and optician in Queen Street. His biggest plank ha* been his attitude on the Civic Suare question. He is at present president of the Suburban Transit and Social Club, which is making a success of running

FOR CITY COUNCIL M R. W. L. CASEY: Born in Thames 54 years ago William L. Casey, independent candidate.

has resided in Auckland for the past 42 years. As a timber merchant he has been particularly interested in that department of the city’s trade. Although a member of the Auckland Licensing Committee this is the first

occasion on which Mr. Casey has offered his services in connection with the City Council.

MR. H. OAKLEY BROWNE: Standing as a straight-out independent, Mr. H. Oakley Browne has taken a great deal of interest in municipal affairs, and is an opponent of the present system of ticket voting and the bloc system generally. Mr. Browne unsuccessfully contested the Auckland East seat at the last Parliamentary elections. Is a canvasser by occupation. MR. C. A. WATTS: “New Zealand goods for New Zealanders” is Mr. C. A. Watts’s motto. Born in Wellington 42 years ago he came to Auckland at the age of two.He is secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Boot Trade Workers, and of the Auckland Union, and is fighting his second municipal contest as a Labour candidate. Justice of the Peace, member of the Technical College Board of Governors, P.D., C.R. of the Foresters Society, he claims a maximum of experience. MR. A. ECCLES: As a chemist of over 25 years’ standing in the city, Mr. Alexander Eccles has had an extensive experience in the commercial life of the city, in addition to the management of his own business being also a director of a number of successful local concerns. Mr. Eccles is standing as an independent candidate. MR. J. J. SULLIVAN: Mr. J. J. Sullivan, native of Ireland, arrived in New Zealand about 20 years ago. Educated in Ireland and at Victoria College, Wellington. He was in the New Zealand Civil Service for nine years, and remainder of time in legal profession. Resident of Auckland (with breach during war period) since 1911. Has been practising as a barrister and solicitor in Auckland since j 1918. ! MRS. SCHMIDT: I Mrs. Martha Schmidt is the wife of i Mr. Harold D. Schmidt, a candidate for the mayoralty. Mrs. Schmidt was j born at Thames and has resided nearly I all her life in Auckland.

the community buses. He has also interesetd himself in farming, and aeronautics, and is enthusiastic on the establishment of a hydroplane centre in Auckland. Mr. Schmidt has been having successful meetings in Auckland, as an independent candidate, and at them is ably supported by his wife, who is a candidate for the council.

FOR CITY COUNCIL MR. A. HALL SKELTON: Mr. Alfred Hall Skelton started in life first as a farmer then as a teacher. For the last 20 years he has been practising law in the city. He stood for Parliament in Liberal interests in 1922 and espoused the same party at each election since then. Mr. Skelton was a member of the Auckland City Council for some years. MR. W. E. SILL: Born at Liverpool 49 years ago. Mr. IV. E. Sill. Labour candidate, has always been a keen student of politics. This is his first entry into municipal politics. He arrived in New Zealand on October S, 1903, and for many years he has been secretary of the Butchers' Union, secreta-y of the Freezing Workers' Union and Deputy-Assessor of the Arbitration Court. ‘‘l have always stuck to one job and X think I have studied politics sufficiently to take a part in them.” he said. MISS MELVILLE: Miss Ellen Melville has been a memher of the Auckland City Council continuously since 1913. She is well known as a leader of many women's organisations. She has contested general elections since 1922 as Government candidate and as Independent Reform. She has been practising as a solicitor since 1909. MR. J. H. SUTHERLAND; Contestant for both Parliamentary and municipal honours. Mr. J. H. Sutherland again faces the electors under the Labour banner. He was born at Thames 51 years ago. While in Australia, a country he has visited on and off for 20 years, he stood for Parliament. Mr. Sutherland is secretary of three unions—the New- Zealand Federation of General Labourers, the General Labourers and the Rope and Twine Workers. He is fighting his second municipal election. MR, S. TURKINGTON: An Ulsterman, who has had farming and school teaching experience in New Zealand, is Mr. S. Turkington, a P.P.A. nominee. He landed in Canterbury 45 years ago when he was 20 and in seven years' residence in Auckland has contested, unsuccessfully, for the City Council once, was Government nominee for Grey Lynn, but bad to stand down for private reasons. He farmed in Taranaki and retired after selling his property in 1915. mr. w. h. McKinney: After narrowly missing election last year, Mr. W. H. McKinney, facess the post again in orange colours. He was born in Auckland 44 years ago, and has lived here all his life. He began business as a chemist in Herne Bay in 1910 and has now three other branch shops in the suburbs. He was defeated by 27 votes last election, after being ill in bed for a fortnight before the poll. MR. W. J. POTTER: Though he has had no local experience himself, Mr. W. J. Potter, J.P., a P.P.A. candidate, has one brother an M.P. for Mount Roskill and another the Mayor of Mount Eden. He is 57 -years of age and he carries on a land agent’s business. Born and educated in Auckland he was for 14 years a commercial traveller in wholesale hardware. “I have practically retired,” he said, “and have time to look after city affairs.” MR. G. DAVIS: Justice of the Peace, undefeated City Councillor from 1922 to 1926, Mr. G. Davis is contesting the municipal election again as a Labour candidate. He was born at Reading 52 years ago and came to New Zealand at the age of 13. He holds a Dominion record in that he has been elected to his present office, secretary of the Drivers’ Union, 29 times. Mr. Davis st< id twice to. running the late Sir Arthur Myers very close in 1910.