LOCAL ELECTIONS

TO-DAY'S POLICING. The polling in the local elections will be conducted to-day. The candidates in the various contests are as follows, and the parenthesised letters bear tho following meanings; (C) Citizens' Association candidate, (L) Labour candidate (I) Independent candidate CHRISTCHURCH MAYORALTY. J. AV. Bcanland (I). 11. T. J. Thacker (I). CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. (Sixteen Seats.) C. P. Agar (C). E. H. Andrews (C). J. K. Archer (L). 11. T. Armstrong (L). J.. 11. Brunt (C). l\ Buchanan (C). F. Burgoyne (I). T. H. Butterfield (L). W. Congreve (I). F. R. Cooke (L). AV. H. Cooper (I). J. A. Flesher (C). H. F. Herbert (I). C. AV. Ilervey (I). H. Hunter (L).' AY. G. Hutchinson (I). J. 0. Jameson (C). K. 15. Langlev (L). W. Machin ((D). A. Manhirc (C). IS. 1(. McCombs (L). A. McKellar (C). R. St. C. McKenzie (I). C. Konn (L). D. G. Sullivan (L). Horace Thompson (C). Ada Wells (Mrs), (L). A. Williams (C). W. H. Winsor (I). HOSPITAL BOARD. (City Representation, Seven Seats.) •J. K. Archer (L). T. D. Boas; (C). W. H. Cooper (I). P. C. Fenwick (Dr.), (C>. C. M. Green. (Alwi), (Of. A. E. Herbert (Mrs), (I). Herbert Langford (C). W.' E. Leadley (t). Mary Mathieson (Mrs), (L.) H. J. Otley (C). Sarah Page (Mrs), (L). E. A. M. Roberts (Mrs), (I). H. B. Soreusen (C). LYTTELTON HARBOUR BOARD. (City Representation, Pour Seats.) H. T. Armstrong (L). H. Holland (C). E. J. Howard (L). H. Munro (C). George Scott (C). H. B. Soronscn (C). H. T. J. Thacker (I). Combined District. Combined Districts of the Boroughs of New Brighton, Sumner. Woolston, Lyttelton, Altaroa, and the Counties of Akaroa, AVaircwa, and Mount Herbert. T. H. Harker (Port Christchurch). F. G.. Norton. WOOLSTON MAYORALTY. , C. Hill! G. S. AVhite. Tlio AA r oolston councillors were elected ou nomination. SUMNER BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Bight Seats.) I C. Benjamin. , AV. G. Black. F. Gill. V. E. Hamilton. A. Holden. ' . H. C. Jamieson. H. C.. Jones. «. C. A. Lnwson. C. M. Roswell. ' J. A; Rudge. E. Stocks. T. E. 1 Whitfield. C. J. AVilson. The Mayor of Sumner. (Hon. John Barr). was re-elected on nomination. | NEW BRIGHTON MAYORALTY. J. L. Carl. J. Gamble. C. Israelson. E. A. M. Leaver. NEW BRIGHTON COUNCIL. (Nine Seats.) W. H. Bellamy. , J. AV. Bissett. J. Buxton. A. I. de Roo. H. A. Glasson. I A. Hulme. E. A. Langford. F. D. Muirson. ■ E. T. Mulcock. J. C. Scott. F. AV. D. Sincock. R. Snell. I R. A. Stokes. S. C. Thompson. n F. Ward. , V DISPLAYINCTTHE' RESULTS. As regards the election of Mayor and city councillors, the principal polling booth will be at the Provincial Council Chambers, and arrangements have been made for displaying progress results on a large temporary hoarding erected ■on the. Gloucester street front. It iB anticipated that the first returns should be available about 7.15 p.m. Mr A. Freeman will act as substitute returning officer. The principal booth in respect of the Harbour Board and Hospital and Charitable Aid Board elections will be at the Art Gallery; THE CITY ROLL. Tho 1 number of names on the Christchurch city electors' list is 26,950. Of this total *2398 represent the names of Spreydon electors who became eligible as city electors on the amalgamation of Spreydon with the city. The result of the voting on the election of Mayor to-day will give an indication of the total number of votes cast, not only for the Mayoral candidates, but also for the candidates for the City Council; In 1919, when there were three candidates for the Mayoralty—Dr. Thacker arid Messrs J. J. Dougall and J. McCombs, M.P.—the total votes cast was 14,001; and in 1917 the total votes caßt was 17,769.

CITIZENS ASSOCIATION'S CANDIDATES. PINAL BALLY. The final rally, before the battle, of the Christchurch Citizens' Association's candidates took place in the Choral Hall last night. The greater portion of the accommodation on the ground floor was occupied. Tho chairman, Mr H. Holland, said he was pleased that the suggestion he threw out at the meeting held in tkat hall last Friday week regarding _ the term of office of Mayor and councillors and of members of local bodies was likely to bear fruit; he was also gratified that all the' candidates for the City Council had pledged themselves not to part with, the control of the city electrical department.to a power board. Mr A. McKellar said that during the two years he had been on the City Council he had been -a membet of three committees and was chairman of the Council's Electricity Committee. He was before them, not. as a speaker, but as one who did most of his work on committees. He was particularly anxious to be returned, because there were some negotiations going on in connexion with the future pf the Electricity

Deportment, and from his past experience lu> Jolt that ho was as well fitted as anyone else to carry those negotiations to n successful issue. (Applause.) He was totally against Power Board control: Christchurch took the bippeflt supply fi'om Lake Coleridge. The City Coim.il should be tho controlling authority for the city nnd surrounding district*! He had been always in favour of keeping the rates down-as reasonable as possible; and he wbr against nil exwrimontal schemes, such ns municipal markets. Mr NY. .Matiiin remarked on the nnn>bcr of municipal questions on which there was surprising unanimity amongst the candidates. Two points on which there was disagreement were tho question of lowering the rates, and the question of collective ownership. He did not sec how the rates could be lowered as loni: ns the citizens required tho sen iors for which tliey asked. In tho pnst the expenditure had exceeded tho revenue, and they would require to coax a little more out of tho ratepayers' pockets to meet, current reQuirenients. and make a little urovision for the reduction of tho overdraft, A« to collective ownership, ho said that itwas not a nucstion t.lint should ho fancied up with municipal administration: it oucht to be fought on tho political battle rround, and when tho advocates of collective ownership hod won the majority to their views it would be time onouch to consider tho application to municipal administration.

Mr C. P. Agar said that ho was nskcd why ho always tackled Labour? (A voice: "Be?au.«o you are frightened of them.") Municipal elections wopo of greater importance than over before, and it was necessary to reply to tho wild cat schemes of Labour and to point out the dangers that would arise if Labonr was Referring to electricity charges, he said that tho increased rates agreed upon last August had not boon onfoived because metres could not bo obtained, and because tho new manager of tho Electricity Department did not favour the proposed charges. Mr Agar dealt at some length with tho Labour Party's municipal programme on linos of his previous addresses. Mr,J. A. Flesher spoke on the constructive activities of tho member# of tho last City Council. A man who (rot up on the platform nnd wud tiuifho was going to reduce tho rates was simply trying to gull his hearers. Referring to tho "Labour Municipal Journal'," ho read tho imprint, indicating that it was printed at tho "Maoriland Worker" office in AA'cllington, and commented that this showed that tho Labour Representation Committee was prepared to spend tho money it got in tho city outside of it. Ho noted tJiat one candidate was secretary of tho Printing Trades' Federation. _ "Just fancy a candidate representing tho printing trades' workers," Mr Flesher added, tho 'Lnbour Municipal Journal' being printed outaido tho city!" Referring to tho plank in tho Labour municipal platform regarding » Town Hall, Mr Flesher said that ho ventured to say that tho Auckland Town Hall showed a deficit per annum of £5000; tho AYellington Town Hall showed a loss of £3700; and tho Sydney Town Hall Iwt year showed a debit of £24.000, without talcing interest and sinking fund into account. He ( thought that boforo tho peoplo of Chnntehureh wont in for a Towu Hollj that would possibly show a big doficiency yearly, they ought to have sewerage extension, high pressure water supply extension, and all tho things. necessary for tho health and convenience of too community. , A number of questions wero answered, after wfljich, on the mid ion of Mr E. H. Andrews and by it voto of thanks was accorded tta© chairman. . <

Tho Citizens' Association lias taken headquarters for election day (to-day) only. Workers and care not allocated to booths aro asked to report to headquarters.

THE P.PA TICKET. CANDIDATES' BEPTJDIATXOH. A "ticket" has been issued by the Protestant Political Association in con* noxion with to-day's elections, «nd reference was made to it by canchdalo* who addressed tho doctors in th( OflOtil Hall last night. , . . , Mr C. P. Agar said that * ticket had been issued by the P.P.A. on vlucE hi» name appeared fourth. Ho bad never been asked, and had nbyor consented to his name, going on a Jut which had religjoua strife on it. Ho. had his own religion; he was not a Roman Catholic; every human being generally followed tJko religion of his parents j everyone had a right to his own and it had noting to do with tho odininistrntion of the City Council. Mr iloKellar held similar views. Mr MoKellur hud had to leave to attend anotlhvr meeting, and had asked him to mention that he had not consented to his name appearing on thq P.P.A. ticket. He (Mr Agar) had no quarrel with the P.P.A. or with the Uomnn Catholics, but oifered his services to tho city tiecause of his intense desire to serve the citizens. (Applause.) _ ' "I was never consulted regarding my name appearing on the P.P.A. ticket," Mr J. A. Flesher said. "It. appears a long way down—they iccm to have had some doubt about me. (Laughter.) Such things nro quilo uncalled for and unnecessary in an election of tills kind. We don't fight this election on whether prohibition is to come into tho city, or whether people should go to Church on Sundays—though i feel strongly on tho question of these Sunday meetings, and u I had my way they would be stopped.' It is time that tho city took a stand regarding political and quasi-political meetings ou {Sundays." Mr C. Buchanan, ono of the Citizens' Association's candidates, informed a reporter that he had not authorised tho inclusion of his'namo on the P.P.A. ticket. The order of preferenco for the City Council candidates, recommended by tho Protestant Political Association, is published as an advertisement this morning. THE MAYORALTY. Sir J. W. Beanland had a very successful meeting at the Leyden Social Hall last night. _ Mr W. W. Tanner occupied the chair, and spoke in high praise of the candidate. Air Beanland gave a very good address, and outlined his policy, which was listened to with great attention. A motion of confidence was moved by Mr L. W. Ormandy, seconded by Sir W. Motherson, and carried with hearty . Mi- Beanland held a second meeting at tho Itichmond Schoolroom, Mr Richardson in the chair. There was a good gathering of electors. Mr Beanland dealt with tho financial position, explaining tho reason for the Council's present overdraft. He offerod a solution by a gradual reduction extending over a period of several years, so tlinfc it would not create hardships to any section of the people. Ho ucalt with the many questions that would concern tho incoming Council, and said jf ho were returned he would soo that every district and every partv recoived justice without favouritism. Hio candidate received a good hearing. Mr W. L. Morris moved, and Mr J. Hamlet seconded, a vote of thanks, which was carried amid cheers. IiABOUB CANDIDATES. Speaking at the Labour rallv in Victoria square last night, tins McCombs said that tho issues at this Council election wero clear. Thero wero difficult times ahead, and it was important that Labour should be strongly represented on all elected public bodies. The workers were always the jlctims of disorganisation and depression, and tho women and children suffered most when thing* went wrong, and their would

receive the greatest consideration from those who best understood th© workers problems—the workers' representative* Mrs McOombs, one of the Labour candidates for the City Council, reminded her hearers at Sydenham last uight that under proportional representation each elector must indicate at N least three preferences to make the voting paper vEtlid, hut it would be. wise ; to indicate up to tne seventh preference, but there was no objection to indicating as manv. preferences as one chose. Afl it was a "single' transferable vote, » it was important that those who wished: to see women elected should cast a. first or* second preference .vote for the \rbmen candidates.

Mr and Mra H. P. Herbert addressed a well-attended meeting in the Rugb v street schoolroom last night. Mr A. S Taylor presided. Mra Herbert spoke on hospital matters,, and Mr Herbeit on • municipal matters. 4 Mesdamcs Green and and Mr H. s H. •land also addressed, the meeting. A vote of thanks-and confidence was accorded the candidates. _ <

; .-. ,1-Mr. .Gordon. gutchison, an 1 IndefcOTj dent candidate' for the City Councuj writes'-I regret I have not been able, for private Teasoils, to trke_a more . active part in this election. Had circumstances permittedj it was my intention to have fought vigorouuly against tihe pernicious party system l«ing . allowed to dominate municipal affairs. It is a travesty on intelligent citizenship to allow political bickerings and-party to take up thetime of the City Council and prove a, negation of efficient civic .administration. It will he impossibly for me, even' ■ with the many generous offers of assistance received, to 'work*' cutside fifty .polling booths' to-day. -or attempt to combat the undesirable*.practice of .'touting' for tioket. nominees.! .These tactics, r consider) violate the spirit of fair play, and are distinctly prejudicial to Independent candidates.' Fortunate- . lv, many electors realise she disabilities of Independents over- party-run candi- . dates in this direction. Nevertheless, I . earnestly appeal to my well-wishers, .and all those who wish to see a progressive, fcusiness-like, and useful Council elected, to take ; particular care to mark first preference Votes on their lj'ahot papers against the name of A candidate with the courage to stand alone, free of - party ties, and who is -prepared to giv.ifc his best services in tfie interests of Christchurch." GO WQOLSTON. • x The candidates, for the Woolston bor- ' ough Mayoralty, Messrs C Hill (retiring Mayor) and G. S. White, addressed' a meeting of electors in the Odd-- ■ - fellows' Hall last evenirig. ' Mr Mc- " Gregor "Wright presided.- ' : Mr c: Hill 6aid that in asking for tli'eir support/for; a further term, lie •would like to refer to the work of the: Council,, particularly that in which ho ad taken t/he initiative. He referred • to' the improvement made in -the -fire '" brigade pliCnt', during »*his term on the " Fire -Board; 1 ' and- also to the ' saving •-' effected by- obtaining an extension or •; the Public Works electricity agree- ■■■ -ment: - . ' : 1 ':*.•' '■

- S'Mr G. S.- White said thai, if elected, 1 : it r wotild ;W^his' object sto bring about ' 4Jhe-reduotion of the overdraft. Tho nowly-elected councillors also ' spoke, and, in answer to questions, each declared himself in favour of the Greater: Christchurch scheme.

. . HAEBOJJR.BOAED. Brief addresses were made at a meet-

ing, of; electors; at ""Woolston last night; byMesarST. HarkerandF.G.Norton, '■■■■■ candidates for seats. on. the Lyttelton : Harbour Board. Mr McGregor Wright .presided. ' " Mr Harker; dealt with the efforts or the -.Port; CAristchurch Xeague to further. the -.opening tip of the. Heathcoto . qstuary, and pointed out-instances of alleged,.mismanagement on tihe part of •the' Harbour Board. Ho stressed the benefits whiph. would accrue -to tho whole of Canterbury as a, result pf. tho .■ •successful completion of the schemfc. Mi F. G. Norton said that lie wa3

'there by invitatioti, merely to meet the electors, and he had not, therefore, the right to reply .'or criticise Mr Harker's •speech r in any way. In reply to a question,; .he' said that 'he would suppott the jPort Christchurch scheme when the Tiime was opportune, but he did not think tihat time was the present;. Qn the motion of-Mr J. J.'Graham,

seconded by Mr C. Hill, a vote of thanks and confidence was eccorded Mr Harker, and a.vote of thanks only was accorded Mr Nortoii. NEW BRIGHTON. At the. invitation of the Mayor (Mr F. Kibblewhite), the whole of the candidates for the New Brighton Mayoralty and Borough Council addressed a crowded meeting in the Pier .Hall last, night. Each speaker - was limited to fiVe minutes, and all were given a very attentive hearing. Hearty votes of thanks to the Mayor and councillors who are going out of office were carried by acclamation. ' KAIAPOI. 'A public meeting was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Kaiapoi, last night, whon candidates for municipal honours were given an opportunity of placing their views before the electors. Mr R. Wylie presiding, over a large • attendance. Mr J. H. Blackwell, Mayor, and Mr H. C. Re veil, who are contestin p- the Mayoralty, were the first to' speak. Mr Blackwell extended thanks to,the retiring councillors, and reviewed the work ; of the past two years. He stated that the overdraft in 1919, ■which was £731, had been reduced to £3l in 1921. Mr R-evell referred to his past Activities in local politics, which had extended over a period of over 20 years. The 14 candidates for seats on the Council also expressed their views. They, received an attentive hearing «an ( l answered numerous questions. A vote. of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.