TO-DAY'S ELECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2447, 28 April 1915, Page 8

TO-DAY'S ELECTIONS

BURGESSES' BUSY DAY

FIVE ISSUES TO DECIDE

"DON'TTAKE THE PIN OUT"

Municipal electors of Wellington have an onerous task to-day. It is the one day in two years when the statutes decree that citizens shall decide who shall be Mayor, and who shall sit round the City Council table j who shall represent the city on 1 the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, 'and the Wellington Harbour Board, and on what day of the week the half-holiday shall be held. Judging by recent happenings, trouble can-very easily arise out of a single election through. the careless marking of ballot papers, yet to-day tho burgesses of .Wellington will be handed no fewer than- five papers on entering the polling booth, and it therefore behoves everyone to think a little, so that they will .know, exactly what they are going to do when they retire behind tho screens with their five ballot papers. In the first place these papers will be handed out by the Returning Officer pinned together, and as it will greatly facilitate the work of counting the papers, -people are requested not' to remove the pin, but mark the papers, one after the other, and place them all together in the on/ ballot box. lb is perhaps necessary to remind the public that every, ballot paper is .printed with a space opposite each name, and it is the duty of the elector not to cross out the names of those for whom he does not intend to vote, but to place a cross in the space opposite the names of those candidates he wishes to see returned. By generally observing this procedure the strenuous work of the returning officers and their staffs after the booths closo will be lightened. To-day is a Tecord one for elections. Never in the history ,of Wellington have so many issues been-put before the eleotors on the one day. It is, too, the first occasion on which a vote on the half-holiday question has been taken. A feature of the election, as far as the Hospital and' Charitable Aid Board is- concerned, is the unusually large numbor of lady candidates. There are fourteen seats to fill, and of the twenty-eight candidates, six are ladies (two of them sitting members). There are no lady candidates for the City Council. The complete list of the candidates standing for the various local bodies ia as follows. The polling booths open at 9_ a.m., and will close at 7 p.m. Sitting members, are in each case 6hown by an asterisk prefixed to their names: CITY MAYORALTY. Chapman, 0. H. ' Fletcher, R, •Luke, J. P. CITY COUNCIL. (IS Vacancies—29 Candidates.) 'Atkinson; A R. ...»Barber, W. H. P Bennett, W. H Bush, T. .Edwards, W. H. •Fitzgerald, J VJ ►Frost, G.. . • 'Fuller;- J., jun. ."■•■'■ Glover, J. '; 'Godbef, .T. ' Hall, R. Hildreth, W. T. Holland, H. E. Hornblow, A. H. Hutcheson, 'J. ' ••■ Jenkinson, .1. B. ■ Kennedy, E. ' : 'Luckie, M. ' Mackenzie, F. W. : Moriarty; D. Murdoch, W. •M'Kenzie,. Lon, Norwood, C., J. B. Read, J. ' Swan, J. S; . 'Thompson, W J. Veitch, A. *Wright, R. A. Young, W. T. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID

BOARD. (14 Vacancies —28 Candidates.) Aston, J. •Campbell, D.v . s Castle, 'F. Croskery, A. W. Dobson, F. - Donaldson, Mrs. ' . "Elliott, J. K. Gaudin, W. J. Luke, C. M "Mackenzie, F. W. . 'M'Laren, Mrs. A. D. . M'Vicar. Mrs •Nash, G. 'Petherick. G. J. •Platts-Mills, Mrs. Dr. Rearden, L. M. A. Richards, T. L. 'Robertson, D . Simpson, R. A. \ 'Smith, J. Snow, Mre. S. E. 0. ■ Swan, J. S. Thompson, W. J. "Van Staveren, H. Ward, Geo. Waterworth, Vs., Watt, P. C. Wi'ford, Mra. Members already elected Messrs. *H. Baldwin (Hutt and ; Eastbqurne Boroughs), *H: Freeman, and *B. R. Gardener (Horowhenua County), *W. Galloway (Hutt County), *F: T. Moore (Makara County and Johnsonyille Road Board), and *J. W. M'Ewan (Pctone). HARBOUR BOARD. CITY MEMBERS. (Four Vacancies—Ten Candidates.)' Bruce, J. G. Cable, W. Fitzgerald, J. E. "Fletcher, R. Hildreth, W. T. .Hill, H. G. 'Hijidmarsh, A, H. Hunt, A. L. •Wright, R. A. ' Young, W. T. ,' , SUBURBAN MEMBERS. (Two Members—Four Candidates.) To represent the combined district of the Counties of Hutt and Makara, the boroughs of Onslow', Karori, Miramar, Petone, Lower Hutt, and Eastbourne, and the town districts of Johnsonville and Upper Hutt. M'Arthur, Charles, *M'Ewan, John William Short, Riohard Walton. 'Watson, David James. PAYERS OF DUES. . Payers of dues other than dues on ships (one vacancy). A. D. Sinclair, R. E. Payers of dues on ships (two members). 'Nathan, H. L. (elected). "Jones, C. W. (elected). CITY POLLING BOOTHS, Votes'for the election of Mayor, Citv Council, Harbour Board (city seats), and Hospital and Charitable' Aid Board; arid for the selection of the weeklj half-holiday mav be cast at the following polling booths: — Clubroom, Pitt Street. Wadestown, Church Schoolroom, Tinakori Road.

Mrs. Kearney's Tea Rooms, Tinakori Road. Ohurch Room, Northland. Church Room, Upland Road, Kelburn. • Tea Kiosk, Kelburn. Church Room, Aro Street. Baptist Church, Brooklyn. Church Room, Washington Avenue, Brooklyn. St. Hilda's Hall, Humber Street, Island Bay. Church Room, Tainui Terrace, Maranui. U'Donriell's Hall, Kilbirnie. Pavilion Bowling Green, Hataitai. Schoolroom, Roseneath. Century Hall, Kent T'errae. at. Mark's Schoolroom, Dufferin Street. Victoria Hall, Adelaide Road. Newtown Library, Riddiford Street. St. Thomas's Schoolroom, Riddiford Street. Masonic Hall, Adelaide Road. Alexandra Hall, Abel Smith Street. St, Peter's Schoolroom, Ghuznee Street. Rechabite Hall, Manners Street. Wharf Shed, "U." 'l'urnbull's Auction Rooms, Panama Street. •. Harcourt's Auction Rooms, Panama Street. Bethune's Auction Rooms, 1 Brandon Street. ' St. Paul's Schoolroom, Sydney Street. St. Peter's Mission Hall, laranaki Street. Garage, Manners Street. Town Hall, Cuba Street. For the convenience of suburban electors who are entitled to vote also for the election of members of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board the following are additional polling places:— M'Farlane's Store, Seatoun. Tea Kiosk, Worser Bay. Fire Brigade Station, Miramar. Karori Borough Council Offices, Karori • Russel's Tea Rooms, Karori.

MIRAMAR. MAYORALTY. 'Townsend, Frederick (elected). BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Six Vacancies—Nine Candidates.) Edwards, George F. • Green, William H. Hawthorn, Hnnry.. Huntley, Edith. Owen, John H. • Pollock, James. •Stone, Stanley M. 'Tracy, Michael. •Underwood, Sydney. H. KARORI. / the mayoralty. Bum, Benjamin G. H. (elected) BOROOGH COUNCIL. (Nine Vacancies—No Contest.) ' Cooper, Walter C. •Davies, Leofric P. Faire, Robert •Hamilton, Andrew •Henderson, Jamos W. Lewer, Thomas W. Pell, Robert T. Raine, John G. *Skegg, Wilfred All elected. - .

ONSLOW. THE MAYORALTY. 'Crump, C. G. (re-elected). BOROUGH COUNCIL. Khandallah Ward. (Three-Vacancies.)' •Alderion, Ernest Charles Anderson, Harry Evelyn. Budd, Alfred Ernest Dale, James Murray Hobbs, Ernest ' Smith, James Gordon NGAIO WARD. (Three Vacancies.) Apploton. Will' Brenton-Rule, Heiiry , 'Browne, Louis Alfrod •Lynneberg, Birger Kaiwarra Ward. (Three Vacancies.) •Bowden, Charles Cavanagh, Patrick •Gardner, James Caldwell Palmer, Alfred William Cobham

EASTBOURNE. THE MAYORALTY. Kelly, James Patrick (elected). BOROUGH COUNCIL.-^ (Eight Vacancies—Twelve Candidates.) Baker, Maurice Cook, Adolph William John *Foley, Henry . Guise, Charles • Henrjr Hcenan, Joseph William. Allan Levi, Phincas Macpherson, Wallace Rutherford Cardew . > _ ' i Marquis, Caesar Augustus . Morris, Joshua Perry, William •Pilcher, Thomas William Russel, Charles PETONE. THE MAYORALTY. M'Ewan, J. W; (elected). , ' BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Nin« Vacancies—Tea Candidates,) •Anderson; Alec. J 'Brocklebank, Christopher P. . "Cos, William Forsyth, William Edward. •Jones, Ralph Hollis •List, John William M'Dougall, James M'Kenzie, David Smith, Arthur •Trueman, William

LOWER HUTT. i THE MAYORALTY. - Baldwin, Henry (elected). . ' BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Nine Vacancies—Twelve Candidates.) 'Ball, John •Brassell, John Carver, Albert ■"Clendon, Sidney Doran John Joseph *Hobbs, Archibald J. ' 'Hodgins, Michael Joseph Masterson, William "Meldrum, Walter George M'Dougall, John W. F, •Parsonage, Arthur D. Purdy, James R. CANDIDATES' MEETINGS. - WELL-ATTENDED MEETINGS. Messrs. George Frost, Wm. Cable, A. Leigh Hunt, and W. H. Bennett, candidates for the Harbour Board and City Council, addressed the electors at the Molesworth Street Methodist Schoolroom last night. Dr. Newman, M.P., occupied the chair. Mr. Frost dealt with the reserves and finance of the council, and Mr. Cable discussed harbour matters and the need of a floating dock. ' Mr. Bennett urged the claims of sports bodies to portions of the Town Belt for recreation purposed ':

Mr, A. Leigh Hunt, candidate for tho Harbour Board, speaking last evening, summarised his platform as previously advocated in detail. The present loss on the working .of the port to be stop ped (1) by obtaining largely increased revenue from the present ictlo lands of the board b.y offering leases on more equitable terms; (2) by up-to-date systems and appliances on the wharves, to avoid the severe cost of handling, and in particular the substitution of a modern system' of traction between all wharves for transhipping' goods other than bv horse, and i)ot as at present; by building no more timber wharves, t.hnt ultimately become a heavy tax for maintenance and repairs—ferro-concrete fo take the place of same. He was op- , posed to any. increase in the Dorfc

oharges on goods. Active measures to be taken to avoid the trade of Wellington going to Waiiganui and Napier. Open-air moetings were held at Vivian Street and Clyde Quay, when Messrs. R. A. Wright, Norwood, Hall, Bennett, Hunt, and Jenkinson addressed the meetings. The attendance was large, and the Clyde Quay meeting lasted till nearly midnight. Mr. Norwood defended the Greater Wellington Municipal Electors' Association from attacks which had been made against it, and reiterated his policy along the lines of previous addresses. He received an excellent hearing, as, indeed, did all the candidates.

The Hon. J. G.i W. /Aitken occupied the chair at a meeting held at St. Thomas's Hall last evening addressed by members of the Municipal Electors' Association's "ticket." Mr. W. H. P. Barber, in the course of his remarks, explained tho policy of the council in regard to the extension of fire-suppress-ing appliances to the outlying districts, and in referring to the loan proposals of last year laid stress on the desirability of going forward with the completion of tho Oriental Bay improvement scheme. He advocated the provision of tepid baths, cheaper electric lighting, and a readjustment, of tho tramway concessions. ' Mr. Robert Hall spoke on the linos of his previous addresses, favouring tho scheme for a proper supply of pure milk, tepid baths. .He opposed the erection of municipal • markets and pointed to ' the failure they 'had been elsewhere in New Zealand.

Mr. Len M'Kenzie followed and gave a careful and interesting statement of the council's finance and showed the expenditure that occurred in developing the city's trading concerns as outlined in the balance-sheet already published. He spoko in praise of our tramways and the employees, and said the service held a most favourable position when compared with others in New Zealand. He dealt with the leasehold question and gave leasons for'moving for an alteration of the Court which he hoped would give good results to both parties. He also outlined the policy in dealing with reserves and the Town Belt, and showed that the city's beautification had not been neglected, as illustrated at Newtown Park and the Botanical Gardehs. Mr. H. G.'.Hill, candidate for the iHarbour Board, addressed his final meeting at St. Thomas's Hall, last nigh't, giving a summary of his addresses on Harbour Board finances. Re contended it was in the interests of the City to liave someone on the board who is acquainted with financial methods. Mr. Hill contended that nothing had been shown to' disprove any statement he had made. Mr. Hill contended that the electors would not have known the exact position unless he had made it clear in the way he had done.

Mr. Robert Fletcher, a oandidate for the Mayoralty, addressed a meeting of about 130 residents at Kilbirnie _ last evening. Mr. Bennett, an old resident of the district, occupied the chair. The candidate touched on most of the leading municipal questions of the day. ONSLOW CAMPAICN. KHANDALLAH'S WATER' SCHEME. That a keen interest is being taken in the water question by the ratepayers of'the Khandallah w,ard. of Onslow was evident : by last night's large meeting in support of the three water candidates, Messrs, E. C. Alderson, H. E. Anderson, and J. G. Smith, at the Public Hall. Mr. J. G. Harkness was in the chair. The candidates made it. perfectly clear that if elected they would strong.ly support the securing of a wator supply' for the borough, providing the scheme was duly supported by expert engineering advice, and that the council was also satisfied as to tho legal position. The candidates contended that their opponents, Messrs. Budd, Dale and Hobbs, had pledged themselves to vote against any water scheme at present even if such scheme had received the necessary expert endorsement. This practically meant-' that if Messrs. Budd, Dale and Hobbs were elccted they would refuse to afford'the ratepayers an opportunity to settle this matter for themselves. A vote of thanks 'and confidence was oarried amidst applause. £

Mr. C. B. Norwood, who is a candidate for the City Council, is an old resident of Wellington, and is kno»yi as a keen and enterprising man of business. In anotliar column he briefly outlines the planks of the platform on which he claims the confidence arid support of citizens interested in the welfare of the City and surrounding district. ' Councillor Godber, chairman of the City Council Health Committee, writes: "In your report of last evening's meeting in the Alexandra Hall,' Councillor Fitzgerald, speaking on the milk question, is stated to have said: "He did not believe the City was justified jin spending £10,000 or £12,000 in erecting a building which would only guarantee the receipt of pure milk," etc. Such a statement from him is astonishing, for as a member of the Health Committee he haß always, when present, favoured the 6cheme, as I the following extract fiom its proceedings of June 4, 1914, will show:—"The committee decided to recommend, on the motion of Councillor Wright, seconded by Councillor Fitzgerald, that an amount of £15,000 be placed on the loan proposals for a milk depot." How can he justify his present attitude?"