MASTERTON

MR. A. C. HOLMS (I.DEM.).

JMr. A. C, Holms, who is contesting the Masterton seat as a Liberal Democrat, opposed to both Mr. Maseoy and

Sir Joseph Ward, As a resident of Featherston, where he has occupied .numerous local offitgs. He was secretary of the Second Division League, treasurer to the ' Feafcherston Borough Council, a member of the Featherston School Committee, and secretary to various institutions in the town. He is also the correspondent of district newspapers. He unsuccessfully contested a seat on the Wellington Education Board against Mr. Thomas Moss. He is a Justice of the Peace, and prominent in Friendly Society circles. • In his younger days—he is now about thirty-five years of age—he resided. in Masterton, and: gained a knowledge of newspaper work in the office of the Wairarapa Star. He is a married map. His mother was one of tl*e old identities of Gladstone. MR. W. B. MATHESON (1.E.). Mr. W. B. Matheson, an Independent Reform candidate for the Mastertonseat, is a settler residing at Rongomai, in the Eketahuna district. He is a married man, about sixty years of age. For many years he has taken an active interest in the affairs of the Farmers' Union, having been a delegate to many Provincial and Dominion Conferences. He is a member lof the Executive of the Wairarapa Patriotic Society, and! takes a keen, interest in educational matters. He hits always been sympathetic with the Prohibition movement, and was an ardent worker in the patriotic cause during the progress of the war. At the last eleC: tion he supported the candidature of Mr. G. R. Sykes, whom he is now opposing. He was one of the promoters of the Eke«tahuna Horticultural Society. MR. A. M'LEOD (LAB.). ! Mr. Alex. M'Leod, the official Labour candidate for the Masterton seat, has for years been identified with labour movements in the Wairarapa, and has represented the local party at numerous conferences in Wellington. He is a married man, about fifty, years of age, and follows the calling of a general labourer. For several years past he has occupied a seat on the Masterton Borough Council. This is the first occasion upon which ha has contested a Parliamentary seat. He came into the field only a few weeks ago, when Mr. W. Candy, the selected candidate, decided to retire. Mr. M'Leod is a fairly vigorous platform speaker, and is pledged to the platform of the Parliamentary Labour Party. . MB. G. R. SYKES (R.). Mr. G. R. Sykes is a farmer and! a successful breeder of Romney sheep. He was one of the first New Zealand! breeders to send sheep to the Argentine. In farming matters he has taken a great . interest, and he was . for many years secretary of the Masterton A. and P. Association. He was returned to Parliament for Masterton in 1911, defeating Mr. A. W. Hogg. .