VACANT SEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 139, 15 June 1938, Page 8

VACANT SEAT.

THE CITY COUNCIL. BY-ELECTION PENDING. CITIZENS' CANDIDATE. There is every indication that there will be a contest for the seat on the Auckland City Council rendered vacant through the death of Sir George Richardson, and a by-election is likely to be held during the next few weeks. The Auckland Citizens and Ratepayers' Association decided at a meeting last evening to nominate Mr. H. J. Butcher. The chairman, Mr. W. R. Fee, said that Mr. Butcher was well known in Auckland as a successful business man. He had taken great interest in the affairs of the Automobile Association and in traffic control. It was. unanimously resolved that the nomination should carry the endorsement of the association. Mr. Butcher paid a tribute to the late Sir Georpe Richardson, and expressed regret that the pending by-election should be necessary. At the recent municipal elections Mr. Butcher was fourth on the list of unsuccessful candidates with 17.209 votes. Mr. J. A. Mason (Labour) headed the list of unsuccessful candidates with 17,267 votes, and then followed Mr. A. E. Watkins (Citizens) 17.259, and Mr. F. G. Young (Labour) 17,228. It was stated this morning that the Labour party would put a candidate forward, but a selection would not be made until a meeting of the Labour Representation Committee was held on the evening of June 23. If a decision was not made then, it was likely that it would be left to the Labour Representation Committee executive to make a choice. The returning officer, Mr. P. F. Xotlev, stated this afternoon that the present arrangements were that nominations for the vacancy should close at noon on Friday, June 24, and that the election should be held on July 6.