LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1935, Page 7

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

INTEREST IN GREYMOUTH

HEAVY POLL EXPECTED

Perfect weather along the West Coast, to-day, was favourable to electors desirous of exercising their votes for candidates contesting the local body elections. At Greymouth, where the public interest is greater than for many years, a record poll is 'expected. The borough electors have a large choice of candidates on each local body, and the half-holiday issue, which is being strongly contested by Saturday and Wednesday supporters, has been largely responsible for the gathering in of almost every person eligible for voting. With the electors of Cobden haying their first vote in Greater Greyiriouth, the roll number has been greatly increased 4880 ■ names, or 1790 more than two years ago, having been enrolled. Voters commenced to make their way to the polling booths shortly, after nine ’oclock this morning, and by two o’clock this. afternoon more than 1500 votes had been recorded. The closing of business premises at, noon, was followed by a busy hour for the deputies at the Town Hall, and a steady flow of electors continued during the afternoon. It is not expected that the counting of the votes for the Mayor altv, which will be the first issue made known; will be finalised before 8.30 o’clock this evening.

Last evening candidates, delivered their final addresses at the Town Hall, Cobden, and Blaketown. At the. Town Hall the public assembled in good strength, and they were addressed by the' three candidates for the Mayoralty,' Messrs F. A. Kitchingham, W. Meldrum, and F. L. Turley, and almost all of the other seekers for local body honours also spoke. The Mayor, Mr J. W. Greenslade presided, and introduced each speaker, the Mayoral candidates being allotted fifteen minutes, and the others five minutes. Each speaker was given an impartial hearing, and few questions were asked.

THE HUMOUR IN IT.

Having spoken for his allotted five minutes, last evening, Mr T. Barry, a candidate for the Greymouth. Borough Council, was “reeling it off’ in good style, when the Mayor, Mr J. W. Greenslade, applied the closure. “Right,” said Mr Barry, “I’ll continue telling you about it all, after I am * elected.”

Mr A. McCarthy, a candidate for the Grey Electric Power Board:— “The Board’s liabilities are not very great, being only a hundred or two over a quarter of a million.” Mr A. H. Paterson, a candidate for the Borough Council, in speaking in support of sanitation: “When I was a baby, I contracted diphtheria. They had to give .me brandy to revive my fluttering heart. I was thirteen years old before I recovered, but it left a weakness. (Laughter).

“Speak up, Dick,” shouted a voice to Mr R. J. Williams, a candidate for the Borough Council. “It’s cold enough to freeze a monkey up here, just now," answered the candidate, as a. reason for not being “warmed up.” Mr Paterson, in stressing the need for places of recreation for the children: “The prophet dreamed of heaven filled with boys and girls, and so should Greymouth be.” Mr Williams: The young fellows fancy they are responsible for all the progress of the town, and it only dates from the time they took a seat on the Council. But it is natural for young folk to think that way. Mr Williams: “I was the first to inaugurate a scheme to bring about a Greater Greymouth.” A voice: “It’s not too great yet, but go on. Go on! Off you go!” “Is Mr Kitchingham satisfied that the people’s money has been expended by the Council, judiciously, economically, and with profit to the town?” asked an elector. Mr Kitchingham: “Of course I am, otherwise I would not be here.” The elector, “Well, it’s a lot of rot.” AT AUCKLAND AUCKLAND. May S. ’ Voting in the local body elections is proceeding in beautifully fine weather, and a heavy poll is expected. There are 61.684 names on the city electoral roll, and strenuous efforts are being made by party organisations to induce a larger percentage of them to vote than in other years. In 1933, only 49.5 per cent, of 43,652 electors enrolled, exercised the right to vote. Except in three suburbs, every mayoral and council election is contested, and in most there is a superfluity of candidates. The city electors have to choose a mayor from three candidates, and 21 councillors from 58 candidates, and then make their choice of members on Transport Board, Hospital Board and Harbour Board. There is widespread speculation as to the result of the City Mayoralty contest, particularly as the effect of the candidature of Mr. Stallworthy, M.P. against Ernest Davis (Citizens) and J. Sayegh (Labour) is exceedingly difficult to estimate. BOOTH TRAGEDY. CHRISTCHURCH. May 8. James William Fletcher, 67. who was to have acted as a deputy returning offleer, collapsed after entering a polling . both in the city at 8.40 a.m., and died within a few minutes. Fletcher had been employed as a piano tuner.