Six new councillors in Waimairi County

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32734, 11 October 1971, Page 3

Six new councillors in Waimairi County

The biggest change in the counties is at Waimairi, where there are six new councillors to join the seven re-elected sitting councillors to form the new council.

Party politics was an issue, but only four of the eight Christchurch Citizens’ Association candidates were elected to the 13-member council.

Representation from the Avonhead, Harewood and Wairarapa ridings was increased this election from one seat to two each, and with the retirement of Avonhead’s Mr R. L. Harrow’, the two new seats are filled by new councillors, Messrs I. G. Clark and J. B. Russ, both of whom had comfortable wins over the other three candidates.

Mr M. P. Hobby, a former councillor, joined the sitting councillor, Mr I. Calvert, in election to represent Harewood, and another sitting councillor, Mr F. S. Blogg, and Mr L. A. Holland, both Citizens’ men, were elected for Wairarapa. The county chairman (Mr D. B. Rich), the finance com-

mittee chairman, Mr W. T. Rice, and Mr F. A. Aitken were re-elected with big majorities. There was a 56 per cent poll in the county, compared

with 38 per cent three years ago. Special votes to be counted are not expected to affect the riding votes. Paparua county electors had council issues in only four of the ridings. On the provisional figures, Mr J. S. Bisphan has ousted the sitting member, Mr J. A. Coakley, for the Halswell rural seat.

A close contest saw the sitting Yaldhurst member, Mr C. W. A. Kyle, head Mr P. S. Roberts, by eight votes, which special votes and the official count may upset. In the other two seats, Mr J. Y. Pethig (Halswell town) and D. P. Graham (Tai Tapu) were clear winners. Two county borough councils—among "the first in New Zealand—xyere elected for Sockburn and Hornby. The sitting riding councillor, Mr E. C. Britnell, and four members of the old Sockbum County Town Committee are among those elected to the Sockburn council. There were 12 contestants for the seven seats on the Hornby council, to which three sitting councillors were elected, as well as a member

lof the old town committee, [but Mr W. H. Ellwood, a j town committee member, was defeated. No surprises

There were no surprises at j Heathcote, where all the sitting councillors were reelected and Mr E. G. Collins comes on as a new councillor to fill the Valley seat vacated by the late Mr W. B. Laing. A casualty in the Malvern election was Mr A. D. Worsfold, chairman of the council works committee, who was replaced by Mr G. B. Hayes for one of the two Courtney riding seats. Mr H. H. Deans did not seek reelection for Homebush, and his place has been taken by another new man, Mr G. E. J. Hutton. Mr S. J. Hunt comes on to the council to fill Mr W. G. Logan’s Selwyn seat. Mr L. G. Eade, who retired recently as Akaroa County Clerk, was elected to represent the town riding on the council, and a former chairman of the Wairewa County Council, Mr W. S. L. Mcßae, was easily home in a three-way contest for the Takamatua seat. No nomination was received for the Okain’s Bay seat, which the couhcil proposes to fill by appointment unless 5 per cent of the electors ask for an election.