MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3176, 29 April 1909, Page 5

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

MASTERTON RESULTS. MR HOLLINGS RETURNED AS MAYOR. The annual election for Mayor and the biennial election of nine Councillors for the Borough of Masterton took place yesterday. The principal polling booth was at the old Technical School, the other polling booths being at the Fire Police Station, Chapel street, and the Fire Brigade Station, Kuripuni. As usual at the Borough elections very few votes were recorded in the morning, but in the afternoon and up till 7 o'clock the town presented a busy appearance with the constant stream of electors going to the polling booths. The various arrangements in connection therewith were carried out most efficiently by the Returning Officer (Mr R. Brown). He was ably assisted by Mr W. Gillespie, and an energetic body of poll clerks at the different booths. Keen interest was manifested in the results, and as the time for announcing then drew near a large crowd congregated in front of the principal polling booth. Shortly after half-past seven the Returning Officer (Mr R. Brown) announced the result of the Mayoral Election, amid great cheering, as follow s :

to o . .-. I o t-J S G c • | •" O o o 3 "^ "fi en *S © £ w g» 5 P. L. Hollings 408 116 132—746 J. Hunter* 331 86 65—482 Informal 12 2 I—ls Majority for Mr Holiings 264. THE RE-ELECTED MAYOR. Mr Hollings, who was received with prolonged cheers, spoke from the balcony of the Wairarapa Age office, and said that it was the third occasion on which he had been elected as Mayor of the Town. In two of the elections been returned by narrow margins, but they had demonstrated their confidence*in him this time by electing him with a substantial majority. He did not propose to make a long Bpeech, but he would like to point out that he had not promised anything without being able to carry it out. .Regarding the rates, the speaker said that he would not promise that they would be reduced, but he would promise that they would not be increased. He believed in a progressive policy and did not believe in a Council who would cause the town to drift into starvation and stagnation. If Masterton were to keep its place among the towns of the Dominion it must be supported by a policy of progression. It wanted men in it who were not ashained'of bringing forward a policy, and it was absolutely necessary in the interests of the town to have o:ie. In touching on the advancement the town had made, the speaker paid a high tribute to the work done by Mr C. A. Pownall, when that gentleman occupied the position of Mayor some few years ago. (Cheers). Mr Pownall had been the real mover in the advancement of the town, and he referred to the work that gentleman had done in pushing through such important schemes as the drainage and water proposals. The speaker's earnest desire was to see Masterton go ahead, flourish and be a town of influence and a credit to, the citizens. The Mayor, in conclu-* sion, thanked the public for the honour conferred on him, and hoped to be able to retain their confidence. He hoped the Council to be returned would consist of men of courage and solidity. (Cheers).

MR HUNTER. Mr Hunter's appearance was the signal for applause. He said that he must first of all congratulate Mr Hollings on tne majority he had received. (Cheers). He had always held the opinion that it was a poor man who could not take a "licking." The reason for his contesting the Mayoralty was a desire to defend his character, as if he had not stood he would have been subjected to malignment. He had stated before that he was directly opposed to the system adopted in the compilement of the Electoral Roll. Results had shown that there were dozens off the roll who should have had their names on. The syatem'of scratching every name oil' the roll, and compiling a new one was bad. The old roll should have formed the basis of the new one. No one was more desirous to see the town advance than he was, and he was not going to cry about being defeated. He had submitted to come out at the last minute, and had been beaten. He had wanted to keep out of the contest, but the Mayor would not let him. (Laughter). If there had been any feeling during the election, it was now dead, at least as far as he was concerned. He had just as much respect those who had voted against him as for those who had voted for him. Every man was entitled to vote how he pleased, and as far as he w.as concerned he had put his views fairly before them. From the bottom of his heart he thanked those who had supported nis candidature. (Applause). At the conclusion of his speech Mr Hunter greeted the Mayor, who was immediately behind him, with a friendly hand-shake, at the same time wishing him every success.

I .Rounds of cheers followed the ha id-shaking between the Mayor and Mr Hunter. VOTE OF THANKS. Mr Hunter, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr R. Brown, the Returning Officer, said that that gentleman had conducted the election in "a strict and impartial manner, and had observed all the requirements of the position. (Applause). At about 8.45 p.m. Mr Brown announced the result of the poll for the Council as follow:

A. Haughey 459 113 105—677 W. Morris 398 96 109—603 Messrs Elliott, Pauling, Hoar, Temple, Prentice, Rigg, Ewington, Pragnell and Yarr, were declared duly elected, amid loud cheering. Each of the candidates then delivered short addresses. ADDRESSES BY THE CANDIDATES.

Cr Elliott on rising to speak, was greeted with cheers. He thanked them most cordially for again returning him a Councillor, and said if. he was returned many times in the future to the position he would begin to think that he had done a great deal for the ratepayers. In referring to the proposed reduction in gas charges he said that such reduction would be inadvisable until the new gasworks reached thorough working order.

Cr Pauling, in mentioning the fact of his reelection, referred to the state[of affairs as a favourable appreciation by the ratepayers of his services. To the contest much animation had been imparted through the infusion of new blood, of which innovation he was in favour. At the previous election the speaker had headed the list, and Cr Elliott now occupied a similar position. In his opinion Mayor and Councillors should at the termination of their office supply an account of the Council's work during that term." In this manner much bickering and newspaper controversy would be eliminated.

Cr Hoar assured electors of his intention to ventilate undesirable schemes, to follow the same policy in the future as he had done in the past, and tojwatch the ratepayers' interests in the woikings of the Council. An interjection by Cr Elliott that there was ''no such thing as tricking in thb Council," was answered by the speaker in the words "th3re was when I was there." (Laughter). Cr Temple reminded the audience that it was twelve months since he had resigned from the Council, and on his present re-election every effort would be put forward by him to administer the affairs of the" Borough satisfactorily. The speaker referred to the prevailing depression from which Masterton had not escaped, to a2d rate, which he considered adequate (and which he would endeavour to ensure), [and expressed his opinion that the ratepayers deserved all possible consideration and relief from the hands of the Council. Cr Prentice stated that his reelection was a sufficient answer and contradiction to thosa individuals who had remarked that his candidature was unnecessary, on the grounds of his having no prospect of being returned a Councillor. Cr Rigg was greeted with affectionate appellation of "Good old Rigg." He was pleased, he said, that his first effort had been a successful one. He could assure his supporters of his intention to act in their best interests and to observe brevity in Council meetings. Cr Ewington said that considering the opposition against which he had to contend, he was especially pleased to be re-elected. He" considered from his Council experience that a 2d rate was a sufficient levy whereby the business of the Borough could be carried on. This, he was prepared to substantiate. He advocated further Park improvements, and a reduction in gas charges. He expressed keen regret at Mr Hunter's exclusion from the Council, and testified to that gentleman's honesty. Cr Pragnell was subjected to facetious interruptions from the audience during his lengthy and somewhnt comprehensive speech. "Roada," remarked the speaker, "have been my hobby." Here Cr Pragnell dissertated on the hobby mentioned, and the time he had expended in the public interest.

Cr Yarr said he stood before them in a position of which he was proud, and he felt the same pride as appearing before them as the workers' candidate. He could safely promise that his best endeavours would be forthcoming to further the interssts of the Borough and townspeople generally. Progression not retrogression was tiie best policy for the town. UNSUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES. Mr Haughey said that while reelection had not been his trood fortune he could honestly appreciate the wisdom of electors in returning the candidates whom they considered most de

I sirable for the position. He paid a tribute to the past Council, which, in his opinion, had devoted considerable energy in all matters appertaining to the Borough's welfare. Cr Morris, whose unavoidable absence was due to sickness, was apologised for by the Returning Officer, who was subsequently on the motion ot Mr Haughey, accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

CHKISTCHURCH. OHRISTCHURCH, April 28. Mr C. Allison, the present Mayor, was returned, securing 5,424 votes to Mr H. H. Loughnan's 3,318. PAHIATUA. (By Telegraph—Special to Wairarapa Age). The result of the Mayoral election to-day is as follows: D. Crewe (present Mayor) 232 J. D. Wilson „. 165, Informal 4 Majority for Mr Crewe 67 WELLINGTON. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 28. The election of Mayor and Councillors took place to-day. Though considerable interest appeared to be taken in the polling throughout the day, the results of the Mayoralty contest just announced show that out of over twenty-nine thousand electors on the roll less than fourteen thousand voted. The result was: — Dr. A. K. Newman 4522 T. M. Wilford, M.P. 4236 F. M. B. Fisher, M.P. 3208 Hon. J. Rigg, M.L.U. (Labour candidate) 824 F. G. Bolton 616

PALMERSTON NORTH. By Telegraph—Press Association. PALMERSTON N., April 28. In connection witn the Palmerston North Municipal election, Mr Nash was returned unopposed. The following is the Council:—Messrs Mowlera, Haydon, Clausen, Armstrong, Stubbs, Palmer, W. McKenzie, M. O'Reilly, Hewitt.

"3 t) ,—! S o a o , "o o p-i x: .SB c i13 "3 o James Elliott 620 156 137--913 J. H. Pauling 595 154 139--888 T. G. Hoar 541 140 126--807 F. W. Temple 536 142 128--806 J. A. Prentice 528 130 120--778 R. Rigg 516 122 134--772 J. C. Ewington 511 118 126--755 W. Pragnell 514 120 115--749 J. ifarr 493 105--731