RICCARTON AFFAIRS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18968, 5 April 1927, Page 9

RICCARTON AFFAIRS.

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION. Matters relating to *e approachinE municipal election engaged the, ate* tint of members of the z ens> Association for some time at the meeting of the Association last mghk Mr John Wood- presided over a good attendance. .' Mr H Gudsell forwarded his resignation as a member, and itwas Mr T J Staples moved:—luat in all future eieSL all candidates selec- ■& by the Association beaked tog. their pledge in writing for that eiecU Mr H R. Sampson seconded. . The chaiman remarked.that.pebbly Mr Gudsell had sent in his. resignation i* order to stand as an independent candidate for the Council. . Cr H W Wise questioned whether a handfu'l-of residents should turndown a Sncillor who offered himselr for rechairman said that 'all those present at the previous meeting knew perfectly well that the persons suggested as candidates, by their silence, had consented to abide by the decision of Mr Staples said that one of the prospective Candidates had qualified nis pledge by adding "as long as. remained a member of the Association, and that did not amount to much. The chairman: If a man doesn't stick to his word, I wouldn't put much value on his writing. . , A member remarked that if they iuJ a written pledge they would hayesomethin* to show the electors; with only a man's word there was room for hagg- "% 14 votes to 12 the motion was agreed to. A suggestion was made that the Associationshould put the position regarding Mr Gudsell before the eectors, but another speaker said that to go so would be to arouse feeling in favour of Mr Gudsell. ~ Mi' A. D. Ford,' who was Mayor or the borough for six years and who was one of the Association's selected candidates for a seat on the Council, asked that his name should be withdrawn frdm the Association's ticket a3 pressure of work would prevent Mm from giving the necessary time to the Council. He would give the Association every , assistance during the electiou Cr. H. Manhire, the Association's candidate for the Mayoralty, the chairman, and other speakers urged Mr Ford to reconsider his decision. Mr Ford said that he would take a, day or two to think over it and H'ould give his decision by Satuulay. It was decided that iu the event of Mr Ford being unable to stand, Mr H. Telford bo selected in his place. An election committee consisting of the candidates selected by the Association and the members of the executive of the Association was set up, and it was decided that the Association tbould meet on the 14th (wheu nominations close) to discuss matters connected with the campaign, it wa< stated that the Labour Party intended nominating a full ticket for the Council. . The offer of Mr Boss Hepburn to act as the Association's honorary solicitor was accepted with thanks.