THE GENERAL ELECTION

Mr B.C. Robbins" Candidature A fairly representative meeting of friends and supporters of Mrß. r Robbins was held in the Corona ■rion Hall last night. In addition othese present several names of Lending workers willing to act nn the committee werchandea in. a local committee was set up, ;ith M-f J. H. Beale as chairman A plan of action was agreed upon, and it was decided to open Z campaign in the Town Hall "on Wednesday evening next, when Mr Robbins will deliver his Irstaddress to the electors. 1 Mr B C. Robbins, who is contesting the Tauranga seat at the forthcoming election, is no tyro in public life. For upwards of *o years he has held many public positions. AtHawera, where he was residing, he started by bein* a member of the local school committee for 10 or 12 years and most of the time was Chairman. He was a Borough Councilor and for seven years held the office of Mayor. He was elected to a seat on the,. Wan aanui Education Board, for ihree terms (9 years) in succession. He was a'member of the " Hawera Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for seven years, for five of which he was chairman. In all minor bodies and the general public life of the town he was also a prominent figure. In 1893 he contested the Egmont seat, with the sitting member MrF. McGuire, and after a very keen fight was defeated by 135 votes. Again in 1896 he was a candidate&for the same seat, bjt on this occasion Mr C. E. Major was a candidate also. Mr McGuire again won by the narrow majority of 23 over Mr Robbins. In 1891 he put up the first dairy factory in Taranaki, and so was one of the pioneers of that industry. At all times he was a strong advocate for co-operation and promoted it in every way possible. He initiated and organised the National Dairy Association which has done so much for the dairying industry- For a long period he held a seat on the Board of Directors of the Association.

Later, when he took up his residence in Tauranga, he was elected to. the office of Mayor, which position he held for three years and then retired. During his term of office he initiated and carried out a comprehensive scheme of progress. He has also held a seat on the Tauranga Harbour Board, and the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Daring the war he took a leading part in all patriotic affairs and* has always identified himself with the public life of the town and district.