Mr A. ASHWORTH.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1209, 26 November 1919, Page 5

Mr A. ASHWORTH.

—Labour Candidate for Wakatipu.—

Mr Archibald Ashworth of Alexandra, better known to his many acquaintances as " Archie," was very early announced as the Labour Party's candidate for Wakatipu. Mr A. Ashworth is a Central Otago man, born at Skippers, near Queenstown ami educated at the Millers Flat school. He was as a young man engaged first at farming, which occupation he left to engage in goldmining at Shotover. From Shotover he came to Alexandra, and settled at his present place of abode in the Mauulierikia lload. Here he worked at coal mining for some years and was employed right from the start, on the sinking of the shaft. Leaving the coalmining he turned his attention to fruitgrowing, aud at that occupation he has remained. The public spirit has always been very pronounced with Mr Ashworth, aud there has been no league or association for local progressive purposes but what he has been associated with. Member of the local school committee for several year-. .Member aud captain of the local tire brigade, during which time he was publicly presented with a medal for life-saving on the occasion of a disastrous lire in the local eoal pit. So Mr Ashworth's interest in labour has thus been something more than merely sympathetic or p'sdve. A borough councillor for as long as can be remembered. Elected mayor for the term 1915-17. Member of the Repatriation Board and Director of the Co-oper-ative Fruitgrowers of Otago, as representing the Alexandra and Earnseleugh districts. The confidence which his district repose in Mr Ashworth is reflected in the vote cast for him at the municipal election" when '■ Archie " is usually time after time to be found heading the list of successful candidates. His entry into the political field comes as no surprise, for he has been keenly interested i'i politics all his life, and has never been afraid to state his political opinions. In his own district where be i- known Mr Ashworth will secure a vote irrespective of party for his consistency and straight - forwardness throughout a long term of public service commands the respect of all. Outside of his own district,- his politics! friends and supporters make no secret of their opinion that the Labour candidate will secure a vote which will astonish most.