The pools bubble in central N.I.

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34009, 25 November 1975, Page 16

The pools bubble in central N.I.

The central North Island is placid with protective ewes and chilly with breezes over the late snow — but under it all the election moves to fever-heat. Taupo, Rotorua and Giswith one thing in common — a sitting member who can be toppled. Each also has its dedicated partv groups who are proceeding positively to their ends, though large campaign placards are rare and gimmickry is not part of their technique. The most difficult of the three to gauge is Taupo, which extends as far south as Tarawera, and which includes the timber

their goals. Much depends on the personal impact made by the candidates. Each has his appeal — the quiet, reasoned, resident approach of Mr Ridley; the outgoing energy and personal drive of Mr La Varis. It could come down to the old oversimplification of resident and man-we-know against the brash outsider. Boiling pools The deceptive quiet in Rotorua may explode as suddenly as any geyser, because of the turmoil beneath the surface. Here the National member, Mr H. R. Lapwood, has hung on marginally for the last 15 years, after ousting the present Mayor former Maori Rugby rep-

resentative he is well- ; known. He admits that Mr Lapwood has been a good member for Rotorua, but underlines the fact that be is still a back-bencher, and suggests that .Rotorua I needs so many things that ' it would be better served 1 in Parliament bv a you- ' nger man more closely indentified with local administration. Gisborne chance* The Gisborne electorate is another one which defies forecasters. After being held, apparently against the tide, by the very popular and effective Mrs E. 1. Tombleson for National, it went to Labour in 1972 bv only 488 votes. The sitting member. Mr '