CITY COUNCIL ELECTION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1085, 25 March 1911, Page 5

CITY COUNCIL ELECTION.

-—-—■ —0 — ' A CITIZENS' PARTY. It has been freely stated of late that the moderate section of the community has been unwisely apathetic in its attitude towards the forthcoming municipal'election. The Labour party, and to a less extent the Roman Catholics, aro tho only bodies which thus far have publicly evinced an inclination to marshal_ their forces in preparation for the coming contest; but a strong "citizens' party" has been formed, and is at present working quietly in the. background, So far it has mado no public demonstration. but it is composed of citizcns who champion the moderate view in matters municipal, and stand in opposition to the Labour party. Presumably the Citizens' party will run a. full "ticket" at tho elections in April. The' names of its' selected candidates have not yet been announced, but it is stated thai, it will support tiioso members of tho present council who intend to stand again for election, with tho exception of the sitting representatives of Labour. . Among the candidates who will ask the electors to support them on April 26 are all the members of tho present council, with the exception of Councillors Luke. Shirtcliffe, Slorrah, and Carmichael, the last-named of whom has already left Wellington in order to-take nn his residence in Auckland. In addition, there will bo six Labour candidates, composing, with Councillors .M'Laron and ITindmarsh, a ticket of eight, and three nominees of the Socialist party. Othor new candidates will bo Messrs. J. Man del (of the firm of Mandol and Harris), L. M'Kenzic and S. Moran (of the legal firm of Casey and Moran). Possiblo candidates aro Messrs. W. H. Bennett, J. Godber, R. Virtue, A. Campbell (of the firm of Camnboll and Burke), and F. Townsend (of the firm of Townsend and Paul). These gentlemen have not yet made up their minds as to whether or not they will seek election. Mr. FT. Rayward (of the. firm of Baldwin and Bayward) was approached on Thursday by a deputation,"which asked him to stand for the council, but replied that pressure of business mad 6 it impossible at present to accedo to the request.