ST. KILDA’S CONFIDENCE

Evening Star, Issue 22955, 12 May 1938, Page 11

ST. KILDA’S CONFIDENCE

COMPLETE BLUE VICTORY LABOUR’S LUCKLESS BID Wholehearted confidence in the sitting members was in evidence in the borough of St. Kilda, where a complete blue ticket victory was returned. Of the 5,200 odd electors in the district only 3,352, or 350 more than at the previous election, exercised their privilege, and the surprising total of over 400 informal votes was recorded. Of the two mayoral candidates the present mayor (Mr J. J. Marlow) topped the score at all five booths, his accumulated votes being over double the figure reached by his opponent. The Coronation Hall booth netted Mr Marlow his largest individual total, while St. Clair and Forbury Crescent proved valuable aids in building the aggregate. “ It goes without saying that I am a very proud man this evening,” said Mr Marlow, addressing the crowd outside the Coronation Hall. “ 1 have worked for many years in the interest of St. Kilda, and I am proud that continued confidence has been shown in me! I shall do my best to justify it.” Mr Marlow also said he had always tried to conduct the business of the council without any party influence. St. Kilda was an ideal borough, and the policy of the council had been to improve the borough to the best of its ability without burden to the ratepayers. He congratulated his opponent on the clean fight he had put up. Mr J. Robinson, the defeated nominee, congratulated the returned candidate on his victory, and added that there was nothing to be desired in the manner in which the campaign had been conducted. Now that the electors had turned down a Labour mayor, he hoped they had elected a Labour council to assist Mr Marlow in the work.

With the exception of one, all sitting members of the _ council offered themselves for re-election, and a new candidate accepted nomination to fill the blue ticket. Ten Labour nominees also went to the polls, but history repeated itself in that none of the latter gained a seat, as was the case at the election three years ago. As the returns came to hand it was seen that the borough, citizens showed a distinct preference for the “ blues,” the lowest of whom claimed over 600 votes more than the highest Labour candidate. The present chairman of the Otago Hospital Board (Mr J. W. Dove), who stood again as representative of the borough, the Green Island Borough, and the Peninsula County, received little opposition from Labour’s choice, who succeeded in topping the poll at Green Island only. 1 After the Hospital Board results had been announced Mr Dove said he was a proud man. During his 25 years’ connection with St. Kilda affairs he had always endeavoured to do something worth while. He did not know any politics, and always gave everyone a square deal. He thanked the ratepayers who had had confidence in him throughout those years ; and expressed the opinion that hospital administration proposed by the Government would give boards great concern in the coming years. It was necessary to work hand in glove with whoever was in power. It had been the pleasure of the board to assist the Minister of Health (Hon. P. Fraser) in every possible way. In the near future it was hoped to have a programme ready for improved hospital facilities. He also congratulated his opponent on the manner in which he had conducted his campaign. Mr J. H. Clinch, as the unsuccessful aspirant, congratulated Mr Dove on his victory, and stated he was always prepared to do anything in the interests of the people generally. It was also_ his hope that in time hospital administration would come under the control of the Government.