THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1909. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3176, 29 April 1909, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1909. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

The lack of interest taken in the election for Mayor, held yesterday, is evidenced by the light poll. Last year, when the present Mayor defeated Mr J. M. Coradine, 1,423 valid votes were recorded, and on that occasion not a great deal of interest was displayed in the result. Yesterday, the total number of valid votes cast was but 1,228, of which Mr P. L. Hollings secured a majority of 264. Mr J. Hunter displayed considerable energy and pluck in contesting the election, but the few days which elapsed from the time that he accepted the Mayor's challenge until the date of polling were quite insufficient to allow his supporters to get in much solid work. The result of the election was generally regarded as being a foregone conclusion, while not only did the Mayor show capacity in defending himself, but the speeches made by Cr Yarr on his behalf must have strengthened the Mayor's candidature. After a certain point had been reached in the disputations of the Mayor' and Mr Hunter, a contest was inevitable, and Mr Hollings, no doubt, congratulates himself upon the result, but to our mind he has secured but a Cadmean victory. Ihe contest has not enlightened the public in the very least —no rival policies were contrasted, and although the Mayor apparently, some extensive borrowing proposals in his mind, he did not mention the fact until within a day or two of the date of polling. We believe that further loans to the general advantage of the community could be raised, and we hope that the Mayor will follow up what ho has said in the respect mentioned, but we should like to have heard more of this, and of other matters, during the campaign. However, there is now, we take it, reason to hope that harmony will prevail during the Council's deliberations, seeing that the bete noir of both the Mayor and Cr Yarr will be absent. We look forward to seeing a year of progress and ol really good work performed by the Council. The cry of low, or reduced, rates sounds very nicely, indeed, but wo do not want nunicipal

stagnation. It is the duty of th e Mayor and Council to raise a sum sufficient to allow of the affairs of the Borough being attended to in a proper manner. Moreover, it is often a good policy to raise money by way of loan, when thereby the annual cost of maintenance can be reduced by a sum that renders the raising of the loan desirable. At an early date we hope to hear more from the Mayor regarding his loan proposals.

The election of Councillors has resulted in Messrs J. Elliott, J. Pauling, T. G. Hoar, F. W. Temple, J. Prentice, R. Rigg, J. C. Ewington, W. Pragnell, and J. Yarr being returned, and the burgesses are to be congratulated upon the result. Mr Jas. Elliott, a veteran Councillor whose judgment is much respected in financial matters, had the honour of heading the pull. Messrs P. W. Temple, R. Rigg and T. G. Hoar, the "new" candidates in the field, were all returned, and the new Council is certainly strengthened by their inclusion. The members of the retiring Council, who sought reelection, and wers defeated, were Messrs A. Haughey and W. Morris, the latter being rejected after many years of faithful service on the Council. Mr Haughey, who has had only two years' experience in the Council, may posssibly be induced to come forward again at some future date. It is worthy of note that the difference between the number of I votes polled by the highest and the lowest candidate did not exceed 310.