Grey River Argus THURSDAY, May 9, 1935. MUNICIPAL ELECTION RESULTS.

Grey River Argus, 9 May 1935, Page 4

Grey River Argus THURSDAY, May 9, 1935. MUNICIPAL ELECTION RESULTS.

Tlie voting yesterday in the

municipal elections appears generally to have reflected the degree of agitation which led up to them. In many centres the con-

tests have been comparatively close, whilst the fortunes of rival sections have varied, gains in some places being countered by set backs in other cases for one and the other of them. Where

the national political divisior

played a part, the Labour representatives have on the whole had good reason for satisfaction

although in one or Iwo instances some ground may prove to have been lost, one such possibility being the city of Christchurch, where the opposing element expect to obtain a City Council majority. At Auckland. Dunedin and Wellington Labour on the other hand, has made undoubted progress, but the voting on the whole cannot be said to have any very distinct hearing on the national political situation, owing to the wide degree of difference in many of the local issues. Here the issues were essentially local in character, and the personal element played a very obvious part. The Mayoral election was recognised as having been virtually a contest between the candidates who filled first and second places at the poll, and it certainly provided a very good contest. The success of Mr W. Meldrum is one of which he reasonably may feel proud, for Mr F. A. Kitch'ingham was to have been regarded as a hard opponent to beat, with his lengthy record as a Councillor, and support which it had gained for him. No discredit attaches to the defeat of Mr Meldrum’s opponents, who made the election a live one. which is a service to the com-

nun ity, and gives a spur for the I , ictor to use ms zuliest exertions j n the discharge of his duties. t [Tie Borough Council election reeals that every candidate had a j neasure of support such as fully i ustified his entry into the lists. I Chose elected have nearly all had * irevious experience in local body 5 idministration, jiu<l may be expected io realise the anticipations ] if their supporters. The Hospital v Board election was one in which t here was involved much strong- ’ ■r feeling among the townspeople han in any of the other contests f It was only natural to expect I hat this would be so in view ot the manner n, which person- J al.tics had entered into the cam i paign, following upon the prom- • iueni-e they had been given for some lime past. The public : were persuaded in the long run that, as several candidates averred, there was something wrong in the administration, and the outcome has been the defeat of two members who have strenuously defended the steps which were taken by the late Board to rectify what in their estimation had been wrong with the institution. The election of new members and the re-election ■f c'-d members whose attitude Leeii against the decision of the old Boara will give to these members the opportunity of improv.ng upon the past administration so far as they may be able to do so. and they will have th? good wishes of all whose desire is to see the Hospital giving the community the best service that is possible. There now should be an e’’-d to the bickering and recrimination which have proven so regrettable a distraction, and the public will be entitled to expect that the administration will proceed smoothly and successfully. The elections in the neighbouring municipalities have not generally caused much of a change in representation, the town where “new blood” has made th e most noticeable appearance on a Council being probably Hokitika, young candidates having there polled exceptionally well. The County elections right

along th c West Coast have seen comparatively few alterations, while the Grey Power Board has from the return of most of its old members received a mandate to continue on the lines it has hitherto followed. It is only due to Mr 11. Duggan, the former Runanga representative, whom Mr J. Unwin has replaced, to say that he has given excellent service as a member. A big surprise tn thc polling is doubtless Greymouth’s declaration in lor the Saturday half-holilay, a proposal which Hokitika rejected. It is. of course, an expert ment, and now that it is to be tried, the result will be of inter- 1 est for all. There is no reason ■or pessimism for the majority no doubt were convinced that ’ the fears of those opposing a change are largely groundless, and it

cannot be said that they are not until the experiment has actuallv been tried out. It can be con ceded that the advantages in recreation and relaxation will be realised, and there is the example of many other centres to indicate that people find those advantages more than compensate for any disadvantages which there may be. The proper spirit in which to accept the change is a determination to got the best out it. and if that course is generally adopted, as it no doubt will hp. the change may become a per •nneney.