THE MAYORAL ELECTIONS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 253, 25 April 1912, Page 4

THE MAYORAL ELECTIONS

A KEEN FIGHT.

MR. BROWNE RETURNED.

Considerable interest was taken in yesterday's ('lection, but that there is still much apathy among electors was shown by the fact that out of 2887 people on the electoral roll only 1355 people came or in many canes were brought to the poll to record their votes'. It was thought that yesterday's poll would have been a record one, judging by the awakened interest that was anticipated, in municipal matters due to the Greater New Plymouth and electric tramways movements. So it should have been, especially in view of the faet that 471 electors had been added on the roll by the inclusion of the Fitzroy ward. The poll, however, was disappointing, and in place of creating a freeh record it fell short by 43 of the vote polled in 1008, when the late Mr. G. Tisch was elected to the mayoralty against Messrs. P. C. Bellringer and W. A. Collis. The committees of both sides worked earnestly, but the fight was si clean and. fair one, and there was no bitterness displayed by any of their partisans. Both parties had scrutineers at ths booths. The voting throughout the day was steady, a fair quota voting in the morning despite the rain. In the afternoon the officials were briskly employed, and between 8 and 4 p.m.' were particularly busy, but the arrangements made by the returning officer were sufficient to cope with the voting, and everything went smoothly. . Just half of the polling was at the central ward, where Messrs. E. Holden and R. E. Maunder were deputies. Here 070 votes were recorded. At the East End (Mr. E. Armitage, deputy) 337 votes were polled; at the West End (Mr. M. Fleetwood, deputy) 194 votes were polled; and at Fitzroy (Mr. R. W. Sinclair, deputy) 154 votes were cast. There was an attendance of between two and three hundred before the Town Hall when Mr. F. IT. Bellringer announced the result: G. W. Browne 704, J. S. S. Medley 639, at about 12 minutes to 8.

The detailed polling was as follows:

The result was not received with any great display of enthusiasm. "A good fight" was the general verdict of the crowd, as loudly expressed by one enthusiast. Mr. CI. W. Browne, who arrived just as the result was announced, was cheered oil reaching the rostrum, which on this occasion was the doorway of the Town Hafll. Mr. Browne brielly thanked the electors for the honor they had done him in putting him at the top of the poll, and also for putting him back to carry on the schemes initiated by the late Mayor. He felt too excited over the day's work to otherwise than express himself briefly, but he could assure them that he would exert his utmost energy to bring the town right up-to-date.

Three cheers were here given for the Mayor and Mr. Medley. In conclusion Mr. Browne stated that the fight had been a very pleasant one, being clean on both sides." There was absolutely no friction, both candidates being entirely in the hands of the people. -Mr. Medley, who was also very well received, remarked that the electors had rallied around him in a way that he had never expected, especially considering that he had come out at a late hour against the sitting Mayor. A great number of electors were not on the" roll, otherwise he felt that he would have headed the poll. The fight had been a good one, and had caused no animosity. Naturally lie was sorry that he was defeated, but he. wished 'to thank the electors, and especially his committee, who had worked hard for him, and to whom he owed a debt of gratitude. He would do everything in his power for the welfare of the borough, and if he could assist Mr. Browne at any time he would be only too pleased to do so. (Applause.) In conclusion he thanked them all for the good sporting run they had given him that day. ' MR. G. W. BROWNE.

Mr. G. W. Browne, who was yesterday elected Mayor of New Plymouth by the burgesses, has been a member of the New Plymouth Borough Council since 1902. For some years he held the position of chairman of the Electric Lighting Committee until his appointment, in August last, by the council to occupy the mayoral chair, which had been rendered vacant owing to the death of the late Mr. C. Tiseh. Mr. Browne was born at Hastings, England, in 1851, and is consequently 61 years of age. He was educated at St. Martin's in the Fields, London, and spent eleven ycare of his early life in France. At the a»e of 17 he arrived in Wellington, and saw service as a volunteer. In Taranaki Mr Browne established himself as a builder and contractor, and erected many important works. He has always taken an active part in local movements, being identified for many years with the Hot ticultural Society, A. and P. Association, Western Park Board, and other institutions. He was also for a term a member of the Taranaki Countv Council Ma J r eSlglled this on bein S 'appointed MR. J. S. S. MEDLEY. Mr. J. S. S. Medley, who put up such a good fight, was born at Winchester, England, in 1868. His father was a post captain in the Navy and received the N.Z. war medal for service in Taranaki. Mr. Medley came to Wellington in 1887, and was at first employed in the Education Department in Wellington. Afterwards he was farming near Wanganui for six years. He came to New Plymouth twelve years ago, and has been in business here ever since. OTHER ELECTIONS. By Telegrapk—PrMs Association. Hawera, Last Night. A. W. Gillies 304, H. K. Wbittington (the retiring Mayor) 217. TAIIIAPE. Taihape, Last Night. 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. GORE. Gore, Last Night. Mr. Popplewell was elected by a majority of 71 over Mr. McDougalL MASTERTON. Masterton, Last Night. 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 N., Last Night. Mr. J. A. Nash 2250 defeated Mr. F J. Nathan 941. Mr. Alfred Seifert was elected to the vacancy on the council by a majority of 002 over Messrs. Tasker and Wollerman. WESTPORT. Westport, Last Night. Mr. J. F. Greenwood was elected for the sixth year in succession bv 919 votes to Mr. A. Leaver's OSS. A referendum was also taken on the question of allowing concerts to be held on Sundays, the voting being: For 971, against 590.

BLENHEIM. Blenheim, Last Night. Counoillor Corry 012, Mr. C. J. Griffiths 435, Mr. J. J. White 295. TIMARTJ. Timaru, Last Night. Lr. T. Hawwey, 1590, defeated Mr. W. H. Hunt, 863. WANGANUI. Wanganui, Last Nigbt. Mr. C. E. Mackay 1955, Mr. Mculi 700. The proposal to raise a loan of £25,00# for municipal buildings and an Oper* House was lost by 885 to 597. For the Wanganui East mayoralty Alfred Burton beat John Jones, the re. tiring Mayor, by 100 votes. J. W. Lu»ford was elected to the vacancy on th» Wanganui East Borough Council. INVERCARGILL. Invercargill, Last Night. The mayoral contest passed off Tery quietly to-day. There were two candidates, Messrs. W. B. Scandrett and A. Bain. The voting resulted in faror of the former by 75(! votes, the number! being: Scandrett 1959, Bain 1203. Tht Labor Party has nominated Mr. M. ;T. Forde as a candidate for the council vacancy caused by Mr. Scandrett's elevation. CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch, Last Night H. Holland (Labor) 4127, Dr. Thacker 2931, J. J. Dougall (retiring Mavorl 2837.

Browne Medley Inf'm'l Town booth .335 ■ 330 5 West End... . 107 85 2 Fitzroy . 92 01 1 K«st End , .. . no 103 4 Total . . 704 (139 12