MASTERTON MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9078, 30 April 1908, Page 5

MASTERTON MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

MR HOLLINGS RETURNED AS MAYOR. MR J. HUNTER ELECTED. The Municipal elections created an exceptional amount of interest in Masterton yesterday, the vigour which had been infused into the campaign during the pas'; week being maintained right up to the close of the poll at seven o'clock last evening. The supporters of the candidates for the Mayoralty were early astir with conveyances of all descriptions bringing likely supporters to the two polling booths, which were situated respectively at the Drill Hall and the Kuripuni fire station. The complete organisation of the opposing forces was a constant source of admiration and surprise to the man in the street, who found the whole borough a continuous whirl of motor cars, buggies, and cabs, and | the precincts of the main booth a | scene of busy and earnest looking committee-men scoring away at lists and conversing soberly on the prospect. The weather was fine until nearly dark, when a drizzling rain set in. In the early part of the day the weather was delightful, the sun shining brightly and the air being beautifully mild. As a consequence the number of ladies who exercised their privileges was very large indeed. The fair supporters of tha respective candidates chatted as animatedly over the prospects and displayed as keen an interest in the polling as the sterner sex. It was anticipated that the polling would be fairly heavy, if not a record, and this expectation was not far amiss. The number of electors on the roll was 2,626, and of these 1,425 recorded their votes. The main rush of voters took place shortly after 6. o'clock, when the j shops had closed, and . the officials j had a busy time from then until the closing hour. The crowd started to gather early '< in the evening in front of tha Drill Hall, as it was generally anticipated that only about an hour would elapse before the result was made known, and by eight o'clock a swaying throng of over a thousand people, with umbrellas spread, were waiting patiently for the big doors of the Hall to swing ajar. Rain was coming down steadily, and the roadway was very muddy, but in face of these depressing conditions the utmost patience was shown, although the result seemed long overdue. Finally, however, there was heard a sound of commotion in the Hall, and the crowd cheered as the Returning Officer (Mr W. T. Mansfield) appeared shortly before 9 o'clock, and mounted a table, to announce the result. The closeness of the polling in the Mayoralty left the crowd in doubt for a moment as to who was successful, but as soon as it was understood that Mr Hollir.gs waa returned by a majority of 11 votes, there was a loud outburst of cheering. The return of Mr Hunter to the extraordinary vacancy on the Council by an overwhelming majority was a real "boil over," and the crowd grew very enthusiastic over this. The announcement of the poll on the half-holiday question was not considered of much moment, in fact the only feeling shown—and that was little— was hostile, a few groans being given. Following are the details of tne polling: — | FOR THE MAYORALTY.

Majority for Mr Hollings 11 FOR THE VACANT COUNCIL SEAT.

Majority for Mr Hunter 464 THE HALF-HOLIDAY POLL. For the proposal 837 Against the proposal 500 Majority for the proposal 337 There were 2 informal votes cast in the Mayoralty contest, 19 in the election of a Councillor, and 88 in the half-holiday poll. CANDIDATES' SPEECHES. MR HOLLINGS. Mr Hollings, who, on the declaration of the poll, came forward to thank the electors, was warmly received. He said it was the second time he had had the pleasure of returning thanks for being returned an Mayor. He sincerely hoped that at the end of his year the electors would agree that their choice had been justified. The fight had been keen, but there had been no bitterness. He considered that the result of the election had not been so much a question of person, but it showed more that the people had been educated more fully on municipal matters. Mr Coradine wa3 unquestionably a good man, but the verdict of the people was that the speaker was a better. (Laughter). He complimented his opponent on the splendid fight he had put up, and did not think there was any animosity between Mr Coradine and himself. Some hard things had been said, but that was necessary to get at the bottom of municipal mattern, and the ratepayers had benefited, having learnt more about their Council's affairs than for a long time previously. He would endeavour to carry out his office faithfully and with impartiality, no matter who was offended, and he made no promise;-' He thanked tne electors heart ' y for placing him in the proud positi..ii he found himself. (Cheers.) MR CORADINE. Mr Coradine, who was received with cheers and sundry complimentary remarks, thanked both his supporters and non-supporters at the

poll. He would not say that he was not disappointed with the result, but he could say that he was not displeased. He would abide by the verdict, and place no obstacle in the way of Mr Hollings, as he knew that the incoming Mayor had a hard row to hoe. He remarked that if Mr Hollings did that better than he had himself he (the speaker) would be one of the first to congratulate him, and he asked the ratepayers to give the Mayor a fair show. Some day in the future, he said, he would him-

self, perhaps, have the pleasure of addressing the electors on municipal matters, and he would look more deeply into things than the surface. Side issues had been introduced into the present campaign which should not have been discussed. Newspapers had written articles on matters they were not conversant with, and people had said things which they should not have said. However, it was the duty of the public now to give the Mayor every support. MR HUNTER. Mr Hunter was very heartily received. He said that three clays ago a friend had told him he had not a t hope, but the result had amply falsi-1 tied that prediction. He thanked the electors from the bottom of his heart for the great honour they had done him. He had won his saddle, and hoped that in twelve months' time he would have won his spurs. (Hear! Hear!) He trusted that after twelve months of office the electors would approve of the work he had done. The enthusiasm displayed over the election was a healthy sign, as it showed the Council that its work was being watched by the people, and in a year's time it would have'to account for itself for good or bad at the polls. He entered the Council unfettered, and would discharge his office faithfully.

MR McEWEN. Mr McEvven was received with applause, and in a brief speech thanked supporters and opponents. He said he would now have twelve months to attend to his business. The electors .had declared for new blood, and he wished them luck. What he knew of Mr Hunter was nothing but complimentary to that gentleman, and he congratulated him. The speaker thought that in a year's time h 3 would be again found a candidate for Council honours.

THE MAYOR-ELECT—A BRIEF SKETCH.

Mr Rollings, who has been twice elected Mayor of Masterton, is still a young man, being but 38 years of age. It is now about fourteen years ago since Mr Hollings came to New Zealand from London, where he was born and educated, and where he was articled to a London legal firm. He settled straightway at Masterton, and ten years ago commenced practice as a solicitor, a profession in which Mr Hollings has reached a high status in the district. In 1902 he was elected a member of the Borough Council, and in 1903 was elected Mayor for the first term. Mr Hollings has always taken an active part in all matters of public import in the town, and, as President of the Masterton branch of the Y.M.C.A., he has been an enthusiast whose work has been of very great value to that organisation. He has been twice asked to contest the Masterton seat in the House of Representatives, but up to the present has declined.

The Returning Officer and his assistants had an arduous day yesterday, the polling being a record for Masterton, Deing 233 votes in excess of the number (1,192) polled last April, which was the previous record. The arrangements for the polling were well carried out, and the public received every assistance from the officials in the way of necessary direction.

Q 3 W Hollingg, P. L. 568 149 717 Coracline, J. M. 627 79 706

- a* 15 -u 'u 3 O Hunter, J. 810 125 935 McEwen, E. 371 100 471