THE MAYORALTY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9787, 1 February 1923, Page 4

THE MAYORALTY

RUMOUR VERY ACTIVE. POSSIBILITY OF CONTEST. During the last few days Dame Rumour has been somewhat active concerning the municipal elections in April, and it has been whispered that there is a likelihood of the Mayoralty being contested. The elections are yet a long way oif, and it is but natural that the persons whose names are spoken in connection with the chief magistracy should state it was premature to express their intentions. When approached this morning, the Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) stated he had not yet given the matter really serious consideration, and it would probably be a week or two before he could give a definite answer. It has been freely stated that Mr W. H. Woods, chairman of the Borough Council's Finance Committee, was a likely candidate. Mr Woods states he has not yet been approached. In any case, he said, it was extremely unlikely j in fact, he was almost definite on the point that he would not offer himself for the office.

Mr F. Z. D. Ferriman, who has occupied a seat at the council table for a longer period than any other present member, admitted that he had been approached. He could not at this early stage state his intentions. .'■■:• Mr H. R. C. McElrea said he had not been approached by anyone, and he had not given the matter any thought. Pressure of business had not permitted him to give consideration to the question of his entering the field. Like the members approached, he thought it was altogether too early to make a statement..