TUAPEKA NEWS

Evening Star, Issue 22030, 16 May 1935, Page 6

TUAPEKA NEWS

[From Ovr Lawrence Correspondent.) May 13. A great deal of Interest last Wednesday was taken locally in the Otago Harbour Board election, as it applied tb the counties of Bruce, Clutha, Tuapeka, and Mauiototo, with the inclusive boroughs, for which Messrs R. S. Thompson (Wetherstones) and H. M. Driver. (Clarendon) were the candidates, and also for the two vacant seats—Waipbri Riding and Teviot Riding—in Tuapeka County. For the latter the candidates were Messrs Robert G. Cotton (retiring member) and Archibald A, MacDonald for Waipbri Riding, and Messrs John George (retiring member) and Roderick M'Donald (exmember) for Teviot Riding. Mr Thompson’s easy win, with about a thousand votes to the good over his opponent, who was an ex-member of the board, came as a surprise to his many friends. Mr Thompson polled heavily in Tuapeka County and its boroughs, as also in the counties of Maniototo, Clutha, and Rrnce, with the boroughs therein. The polling unmistakably indicated that Mr Thompson’s outspokenness and the live interest he took in the affairs of the board during the past three years appealed strongly to his constituents, whose appreciation was duly recorded per medium of the ballot box. Mr Cotton’s re-election for Waipori Riding was not unexpected, though Mr MacDonald ran him within five votes. Three years ago Mr Cotton’s brother Richard put up a big fight for the seat, being beaten only by four votes. Mr MacDonald, who represented Teviot Riding for several years, and was beaten three years ago, found that his opponent (Mr George) had won the confidence of a substantial majority of the ratepayers of Teviot Riding, who gave him 146 as against 67 votes. There has been no change in Tuapeka County’s representation. The balance-sheet, now in circulation, of the Tuapeka County Council fbr the year ended March 31. 1985, contains a good deal of information of general interest, for it is recognised that the affairs of the county over a long period of years have been very carefully and wisely controlled, reflecting great credit alike on its members—past and present —and its staff. The total of the rates struck for the past financial year amounted to £7,273 3s, of which £6,403 Is 7d was collected, leaving £B7O Is fid outstanding. In addition rate arrears extending over the four years preceding 1934-35, amounting to £5,089 7s 7d, were also the _ respective amounts for each period being ns follow 1930-31, £3OO 2s 8d; 1931-32, £664 12s 4d; 1932-33. £968 0s 9d; 1933-34, £558 13s. The 10 per cent, penalty collected on outstanding rates amounted to £227 11s 3d, and the Go--vernment subsidy on the 1934-35 rates camo to £917 Bs, making ft grand total with the outstanding and recurrent rates of £10,039 9s 7d. The rate totals certainly allow a spirit of creditable responsiveness to the council’s demand that must be regarded as very gratifying in these depressed times. The council’s bank balance on April 1 stood at £4.332 14s 8d (less outstanding cheques £331 16s 7d) —in other words, a credit of £4,000 18s Id. Mr Jas, K. Simpson, who has filled the position of niayor of the borough of Lawrence for a period of 12 years, was not nominated for re-election for

the current term, as his health for some time has not been too robust, and be decided in consequence .to retire from the activities of municipal life. The members of the council at jts last meeting resolved to present' him with an illuminated address,. in which appreciative recognition of, his many invaluable services to the town and district will he duly set forth. . The council likewise resolves to place, oii record a suitably-worded minute recognising the services of ex-Cr J. -B. M-Kinlay to the borough,he having been a '.councillor for many years and mayor for one term of two, years. The two extraordinary Vacancies ‘in the Lawrence Borough Council, created by the nomination last month of only four candidates instead of six (the required number) have been filled by Messrs Richard L. Cotton and James Colgan—the only nominees—being declared duly elected. Neither candidate has had any experience in municipal affairs, both being young, men, but it can be taken for granted they are out to. do all they possibly can in the borough’s best interest. It has rarely happened in the borough’s history'that any difficulty has been found in filling either the mayoral chair or the councillorships, though Hot infrequently just the bare number ( has been available. The swing of the'pendulum::at the recent municipal elections in Dunedin and Auckland, to say nothing of what has occurred in some of the ; smaller centres, has given rise to a feeling that Labour will come info power at the next General Election.’ It is whispered that two or three prominent members of the party at an early date arc to visit the Otago Central electorate, com-; mencing operations at the Tuapeka end, with the object of deciding upon a course of action in the hope or securing a strong local candidate to contest the seat. The Rev, E. T. Cox is definitely out for the Clutha seat in the Labour interest, but he can rest assured that he will not be honoured with a *tvalkover. The names of two candidates for thp seat in the Coalition Party’s interests are already spoken of.’ but I am not at liberty to disclose either In the meantime, further than to say that both have had considerable experience in local governmental politics.