ELECTION MATTERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 83, 8 April 1925, Page 8

ELECTION MATTERS.

THE MAYORAL CONTEST. MAY STIPULATE OTHER ISSUES. THE COUNCIL COMPETITION. The entrance of Mr. Harold Schmidt into the mayoral contest, and the issues which he has raised, have given the pending municipal election a fillip, and it now appears most likely that the mayoral seat will be contested with some show of interest. Arising directly from this contest there should be a reflection of this in the election of the twenty-one councillors, for those who come to the poll to support either of the two mayoral candidates, or their platform, will also express their choice of the future custodians of the city, and also the loan proposals to be submitted. The election of the Mayor looks like being the magnet which will arouse ratepayers from the apathetic attitude with which they have regarded municipal matters in the past.

As far as the announcing of candidates is concerned there is. nothing fresh, but as there i-s still nearly a fortnight before the close of nominations there is still ample time for any who are wavering in a decision to contest civic honours to make up their minds. It is evident that there are still some who are trying to persuade themselves (or allow themselves to be persuaded), to submit their names for the fickle public estimation. MR. SCHMIDT'S CANDIDATURE. A meeting of Ponsonby ratepayers called by the City West Ratepayers' Association was held last evening in the Leys Institute to hear an address by Mr. Harold Schmidt, the independent candidate for the mayoi'alty of the city. Mr. A. G. Jarret presided over an attendance of about fifty people. Mr. Schmidt strongly criticised the present administration, particularly in regard to the Civic Square proposal. He maintained that it was a waste of money to pull down the business premises that used to stand on the area. The policy of the council was quite wrong, and no council bad the right to go on with the proposal after it had been condemned by a poll of ratepayers. MOUNT EDEN ELECTION.

MR. HAMMILL TO STAND

Tlie municipal atmosphere of Mount Eden is not so serene as has recently been 'Suggested, for last evening Mr. W. J. Eammill. who has been something of a stormy petrol in the council, consented to a request that he should seek honours in the suburb.

A requisition signed by several hundred electors asking Mr. Hammill to contest either the mayoralty or a seat on the council was submitted by a deputation. The petition represented each of the four portions of the borough and referred to the excellent work of Mr. Hammill during his previous terms of oflice. The speakers, inclusive of ex-councillors, urged Mr. Hammill to accept nomination, and pledged themselves to use every legitimate effort to secure his return. In returning thanks Mr. Hammill said that he would be agreeable to contest the election in whatever capacity the deputation decided.