MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVII, Issue 10888, 7 April 1927, Page 5

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

PROBABLE CANDIDATES.

THREE COUNCILLORS RETIRING.

MAYOR SEEKS RE-ELECTION.

Local politics are proceeding quietly in Ashburton, despite the tact that the elections,are less thanthree weeks away*. It appears that there will be several new members on the Borough Council, at least tllree of the present members having signified' their intention of not standing this year, while two others: others are as yet undecided.

The nomination of several new candidates is certain, while others have been mentioned as possible candidates. The Mayor.(Mr R. Galbraith) will again contest the Mayoralty. Mr Galbraith has been the Chief Magistrate of Ashburton since 1915, having completed six terms in that capacity (a total of 12 years), which is the longest term served by one person. Only once since his first election lias he been opposed, and that was at the last election, when Mr H. R. C. McElreai contested the position. , "I have had repeated requests toagain contest the Mayoralty election," said Mr McElrea this morning, "on the grounds that tho office could be filled by one who has been born and bred in the borough, and also that the substantial support accorded me at the last election against so strong an opponent as the present Mayor could be regarded as an incentive further to contend for the office. However, it will be necessary for- me to consider" very carefully whether I should again stand for the Mayoralty, or for the Council, and I will defer making a final decision till, a later date."

Mr AV. H. Woods (Deputy-Mayor) and chairman of the Finance Committee) has had six years as a councillor, having been successful at three consecutive elections. So far, Mr Woodst is undecided whether to again stand for the Council. Mr P. Z. D. Ferriman will again offer his services to the ratepayers, j He has had about 20 years on the Council, and held the position of Deputy-Mayor , for several years. Mr W. Gr. Hillier has also had about 18 years on tho Council, and has been chairman of the Waterworks and Fire Brigade Ccmmittee for some time. This year he is undecided whether to seek re-election. Mr John Watson has been) on the Council for four terms, and will again, contest the election at. the end of the month. Mr R. Kerr (chairman of the Works. Committee) is also entering the lists, again. He-has had six terms (12 years) on the Council. ' Mr S. W. Bdwdwi, after six years on the Council, has decided definitely not to stand at this election. Mr R. M. Dunlop (chairman of the Domain Ccmmittee) has also had six years with the Council, and has likewise decided sgain-st nomination for a further term. Mr F. W. Scldon. who has had one term on the Council, will again be a candidate. Mr R. A. Collins, who went into the Council to fill a vacancy three years, ago and who was re-elected at the last election, will also be a candidate this year. Mr W. H. Robinson has agreed to nomination for a further term. Mr J. Donn, who lias been on the Council for one term, is not .seeking/ re-election. Mr W. C. J. Osman has been approached with a view to his nomination as a candidate for, the Council. It is stated that three other residents who have each served on the Council will also be entering the cam-

pai ,T n. Nominations for the Mayoralty and for the Council close at the Municipal Chambers at noon next Wednesday, : and the elections take place on April' 27. The nomination papers of Messrs R. A. Collins, John Watson and J. MoElhinney were signed to-day and handed to the Returning Officer, Mr W.. • Patterson.