The Daily News. THURSDAY APRIL 20, 1915. YESTERDAY'S POLLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 274, 29 April 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY APRIL 20, 1915. YESTERDAY'S POLLS.

Mr. J. E. Wilson scored a decisive victory in the Mayoral contest yesterday, but it was one which was not altogether unexpected. There was a fairly general feeling that he had not had a fair opportunity to show his administrative ability, and, further, that a change in the offico at this critical stage of the borough's history was inadvisable. (As we said yesterday, there is much important work before the council this year which calls for the exercise of the greatest prudence and administrative ability, and the office of the first citizen will comequently he no sinecure. No one, we feel sure, is more conscious of this fact than Mr. Wilson, who has had a nine months' insight into the affairs of the borough, that undoubtedly will serve him in good stead during the next two years. He can rely upon the hearty co-operation of one of the most capable councils the town has possessed, as well as the confidence and good wishes of the burgesses. We extend to him our hearty congratulations. As for Mr. Browne, he did well in the circumstances, but the result, considered together with last year's, clearly indicates that the town, whilst appreciating his past services, is disinlined to entrust him with the reins of office whilst things are as they are. The result on the half-holiday question means that the day '(Thursday) stands as before. We believe that the decision will not he regretted. But from the contest we trust will come a movement throughout the province to combine and secure the one day fur the holding of the half-holiday, whether it be Thursday or Saturday, or even Wednesday. At the present time half the

po , pu l ation of each northern town observes Thursday, the other half Satirday. In the south the holiday is divided between Wednesday and Saturday. Cannot something be done during the next two years to bring about uniformity? This is a matter which might well engage the attention of t'.w- various chambers of commerce and tradesmen's associations, not to speak of the ''sports" who took so prominent a pavt in the campaign for securing Satu:dny ar, yesterday's poll. The Hospital Hoard election resulted in the return of the chairman, Mr. A. E. Sykcs, and Mrs. Dockrill, in that order, and upon their selection the burgesses are to be congratulated. Mr. Bellriuger was placed well at the head of the poll, which may be taken as an expression of appreciation of lib past services and confidence in him to carry through to a' successful conclusion the work in connection with the new hospital, which will ever h.i a monument to his term of office. The return of Mrs. Dockrill may be regarded as n compliment to her for past km vices, whilst Mr. Sykes's qualifications for the position were such that they could not be ignored. The Hew Plymouth members should do the board credit. Mr, Browne, who has been a memaer of the beard for many years, had to submit to defeat, hut that, we feel sure, was due, not to lack of appreciation of whai he has done, but solely to the fact that there were others possessing greater claims.