CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 September 1928, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

CITY COUNCIL VACANCY.

(Special to “Star.’’) CHRISTCHURCH, September 28. Until the Citizens’ Association meets early next week, it will not be known definitely whether there will be a contest for the vacancy on the City Council caused by the resignation of Mr G. R. Hunter. If the resignation had been withheld until after the first Wednesday in December, a by-election could have been avoided, as the Council could have filled by the vacancy by appointment. However, in view of the objections raised by the Audit Department, Mr Hunter felt that it was best to resign immediately. The cost of a contested .election will run into several hundred pounds, but the amount cannot be accurately estimated at this stage. A supplementary roll will need to be prepared, and the last day for receiving enrolments will be October 9. The election will take place on October

A suggestion has been made that the by-election should be fought on (he question of the proposed alterations to Cathedral Square, bill, the Citizens’ Association is divided on the matter. When Ihe Mayor (Rev. .1. K. Archer) was asked whether he would like to see the by-election fought on the Cathedral Square question, he said that the matter had not been considered by either the Council or the Labour Party, but so far as he personally was concerned he would not only be willing but even keen to face the citizens oii' the Square issue. “I admit 1 may be wrong, but my opinion and unqualified conviction is that the citizens as a whole are in favour of the scheme.” The Mayor added: “If they are not in favour of it, whatever my personal opinions are, 1 am prepared as a. democrat to accept the judgment of the community. I can’t, of'course, bind other members of the Council to that view.” A caucus of the Labour members ol the Council will be held to-morrow night to consider the position that has arisen as the result of the resignation of Mr Hunter. It is considered practically certain that Councillor H. T. Armstrong, M.P., will lie appointed Chairman of the Works Committee for the remainder of the Council’s term of office. The selection of a Labour candidate for the vacancy will he considered at the next meeting of the Labour Representation Committee.