NOTABLE ELECTIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 184, 19 May 1941, Page 3

NOTABLE ELECTIONS

BOROUGH AND COUNTY DR CONNOR REMAINS MAYOR SITTING MEMBERS UNSEATED MRS GRIGG TOPS THE HOSPITAL POLL

- Local body, elections in Ashburton and County on Saturday lhade history, as in one issue, that for country representation on the Ashburton Hospital Board, a woman topped the poll and becomes the first woman to be elected to a local body in this district. She displaced Mr F. Frampton, a member of the Board for many years and lately chairman of the Hospital Committee. Mrs A. N. Grigs’* election to the Board was the outcome of a recent controversy regarding maternity home accommodation in Ashburton. She was the first woman to be nominated from the country as a candidate.

In the Borough, five new members were elected to the Borough Council, and two members of long standing were defeated. Mr A. H. Todd, standing for election for the first time, topped the poll The town and Tinwald representation on the Hospital Board was not changed, the two sitting members retaining their seats against the opposition of another woman candidate.

There was an election in one Riding for the County Council and a new candidate was elected. Mr M. S. Turton polled a very large majority over the two sitting members. The new system of voting, the placing of a cross beside the names of selected candidates instead of striking out the names of candidates not favoured, worked more smoothly than had been anticipated and informal votes were remarkably few.