Some Councillors Decide On Nomination Question

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 70, 7 September 1965, Page 1

Some Councillors Decide On Nomination Question

With 10 days to go, a number of local body members have made their decision on whether or not to accept nomination for the elections to be held on October 9. Some are yet undecided, and while most of the Taupo County Council members have indicated their decision, only two positive answers have been given by borough councillors. The announcement that Mr J. A. Asher would retire from representing the Tongariro riding of the county council came late last week and he will be sadly missed by the many who found his counsel valuable. The Mayor pf Taupo, Mr J. E. Story, has agreed to accept nomination and at this stage there is no indication that he will be opposed. Mr Asher was a foundation member of the Taupo County Advisory Committee, which was set up in 1955, and remained a member during its tenure. He was elected a member of the Taupo County Council on its formation in 1962, representing the Tongariro riding, and became its first chairman. Although he handed over the chairmanship to Mr H. M. Besley the following year, he continued as a councillor. Apart from his work in local body affairs, Mr Asher has given life-long service to the interests of the Maori race. For many years he has been associated with the Maori Land Court where his ability as an advocate was outstanding, being a noted authority on Maori law. He is also an authority on Maori geneology and Maori lore and his library collection on these subjects is one of the best in the country. With acute perception and sound judgment, Mr Asher has been a great worker in communal interests during his adult life — attributes which have benefitted Maoris and Europeans alike. It was mainly due to his efforts that Lake Rotoaira was opened up to European anglers. Mr Asher has been secretary to the Tuwharetoa Trust Board for several years and his knowledge of the timber business and land utilisation has been

of immense value to the Maori community. On Sunday evening a small deputation of ratepayers met the county chairman, Mr H. M. Besley, to ask him to make himself available for nomination. The deputation, led by Mr A. F. Downer, of Acacia Bay, expressed its satisfaction with the running of the county affairs and paid tribute to the work Mr Besley had done for the county as a whole. Mr Downer said he felt those who had worked on the first council should have the opportunity of following up the policy they had set. Thanking the deputation, Mr Besley said it was gratifying to know the work of the council as a whole was appreciated. In the following list, councillors have indicated they will accept nomination (Y), they will not accept nomination (N) or they are still undecided (U).— Taupo borough: Mayoralty, Mr J. E. Story (Y); Mr J. M. Stanley (Y), Mr C. J. N. Newbold (Y), Mr G. Marlow (U), Mr I. T. Logan (U), Mr J. Dickie (N), Mr C. I. Jacoby (U), Mr D. D.'Davis (U), Mr W. L. Haines (13). Taupo county: Mr H. M. Besley (Y), Mr U. R. MacDonald (Y), Mr J. A. Asher (N), Mr P. J. Mann (U), Mr R. D. Tremaine (N), Mr K. J. Thorburn (N), Mr J. M. Black (U), Mr R. B. .Moorhouse (Y), Mr R. B. Dick (U), Mr W. E. Scott (N). The retirement of the deputy-chairman of the county council, Mr Tremaine, will leave a vacancy in the Tauhara riding, while Mr Thorburn has represented the Rangitoto riding and Mr Scott the Pouakani riding. Nominations close at noon on September 17.