DEATH OF MR J. E. TAIT

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27909, 5 March 1956, Page 8

DEATH OF MR J. E. TAIT

VACANCY ON CITY COUNCIL BY-ELECTION UNLIKELY A by-election will probably not be necessary to fill the vacancy on the Christchurch City Council caused by the death of Mr J. E. Tait. The Town Clerk (Mr H. S. Feast) said on Friday that if a member of the council died within six months before an election, the council could leave the position vacant. If a death occurred within 12 months before an election, a by-election could be held, or alternatively, the council could appoint a councillor. On the score of precedent alone, Mr Feast did not think the council would put the city to the expense of holding a by-election. In the past it had been the practice for the highest unsuccessful candidate of that party at the previous election to be appointed. Upon the death of Mr C. D. W. L. Sheppard Mr W. J. Cowles, also a Citizens’ Association member, was appointed to the vacancy. Mr Cowles topped the list of unsuccessful candidates at the election. If the council adheres to precedent, Mr H. P. Smith, who was immediately below Mr Cowles in the list of unsuccessful candidates, will now become eligible for appointment. Mr Smith polled 16,994 at the last council election in 1953. The Christchurch Labour Representation Committee, which decides the Labour Party nominations for the council, has not met yet to discuss the position, but its secretary (Mr M. A. Connelly) considers that the committee will probably be guided by precedent. He was sure that the committee would not want to put the city to the expense of a by-election. Mr F. C. Penfold, president of the Christchurch Citizens’ Association, holds similar views. He considered it would be ridiculous to hold a byelection in the year in which the local body elections were to be held.