THE NEW MAYOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1919, Page 4

THE NEW MAYOR.

RETURN OF MR. J. CLARKE* MAJORITY OF 272. APATHY OF THE RATEPAYERS. Tho election of a Mayor in New Ply* mouth yesterday, to succeed Mr. C. H. Burgess, was taken in a very philosophic manner, there being an entire absence of excitement, and but for notices on tramcars, and signs on polling booths, the election might have passed unnoticed by: any outsider.

All the arrangements made by the Returning Officer (Mr. R. Day) worked Bplendidly, and his staff of deputies and, poll clerks did their work expeditiously, as was evidenced by the fact that the final result was announced and the speeches of thanks by the candidates concluded before 8 o'clock. In selecting his deputy officers, Mr. Day gave first preference to returned soldiers, and eev«ral of these were given position!. It transpired during the day that a .gnat many people who expected to vote dissevered that their names were not on the roll, which showed that thoße eligible to vote should satisfy themselves beforehand that they aTe duly enrolled. The returns for the principal booth (Whiteley) were the first announced, and those from the other booths caste in quickly. From the figures announced' it. was apparent that Mr. Clarke was steadily establishing a lead, and the final result gave him a majority of 272. Tha total vote, however, was small, tha number of electors who exercised the fran* ehise being 1608. At the election iatf April last the voting was: C. H. Bmess ! 1558, G. E. Blanchard 489. Following are the details of yester- • day's voting:— Blanchard. Clarke.' Inf, Fitzroy 52 68 1 Crocker's Store .. 128 164 <? JfMtefey 213 478 8 Devon St. West .. 75 9g q ? T ;' iub -V n 153 44 3 Moturoa 2 8 19 0 Westowu 4 ft Frankleigh 4 19 ~ Vogeltown u 2 8 o 608 940 20 Mr. Clarke, who briefly thanked thaelectors, who had gathered at the nrincipal polling booth in Liardet Street, laid there was too much apathy in regard to municipal affairs, and if the rat!p£ e „ vvanted the town to go ahead they would p. , f u "ginger" into thing* He hoped to have the support of the Counc-r™ i"i the ,mdertakin ß ß of th » Council, and lie urged also that *ll come g f men °a the cwnmu nity should "•f «"»*•« when people who were £* as.Tsa"— 1 "is opponent. w»eer» lap dultef by a Mr el Dav° n ""J* 1 ' first «<*>- ™ooth working of tlTpXg ° B **