POLLING

Grey River Argus, 12 May 1938, Page 8

POLLING

The Successful Candidates

Mr. Kitchingham obtained a majority of votes in all booths with the exception of Blaketown and Cobden. At Cobden, Mr. McKane had a clear-cut majority over his two other oppom ents. Mr. Kitchingham secured a large majority over his opponents at the United Pavilion and at the Technical School, and he led Mr. Blanchheld by nearly 150 votes at the Town Hall. Mr. Blanchfield failed to secure a majority at any of the booths, and he received his main support at the Town Hall. He polled 100 votes, to lead Mr. McKane by 14 votes at the Technical School, but he secured considerably less votes than his opponents in the suburban booths.

The voting at the last, election for the Mayoralty was as follows: W. Meldrum 1,421; F. A. Kitchingham, 1,317; F. L. Turley, 678; majority for Mr. Meldrum being 104. On the present occasion, Mr. Kitchingham has polled exactly 100 votes more than he did in 1935.

Although indications during the polling hours were that a record num-1 her of votes would be cast, an analy-' ! sis of the figures shows that approximately 3,261 electors recorded their votes, out of a total roll of i 5,084, representing a vote of approxi-' Innately 71 per cent. At the time of i the last elections in 1935, the roll [numbered 4,881, of whom 3,458 voted, a total of 197 more than exercised the. j franchise yesterday. The percentage in 1935 was about 73. I The first return last night was received a few minutes before 8 o'clock ( from the United Pavilion, but. thereafter there was a considerable delay, and it was not until 9.45 o’clock that the final result was received. The lateness was due in a large measure Io many voters waiting until nearly closing time to record their votes, 1 with the result that the staff was unable to commence the count until nearly 7.30 p.m. Immediately after the final returns in the Mayoral election were to hand, the candidates addressed a crowd of some hundreds in front of the Town Hall. | The last results available, those for, the Borough Council election, were announced at 12.40 a.m., the final return from the Town Hall being hand-! ed in to the Returning Officer (Mr. F. [

H. Denton) at 12.25 a.m. The Re-1 turning Officer will superintend the • scrutiny which commences to-dav, and which it is expected, will not be completed before Monday next. Declaration votes will then be considered. Making his initial effort in local politics, Mr Hyde Herring, a Citizens candidate, headed the poll, with 2429 votes, and will, in consequence, become Deputy-Mayor of Greymouth. I Mr J. B. Kent, a Labour nominee, was second with 2323 votes. An/interesting feature of the Borough Council election is the fact that only' one vote separates the ninth candidate, Mr J. Anderson, a Labour nominee, from a Citizens candidate, Mr C. H. Rose, I both of wl]om were making their, first appearance before the electors. I The new members of the Council will be Messrs J. Saunders, J. Anderson, and C. Neville, although Mr Neville was a member until a few months ago. Mr Anderson’s election is de-j pendent upon, the result of the recount. The whole of the sitting members of the Council were re-elected. | One of the most, interesting contests was that for the Greymouth Harbour j Board, for which candidates were elected for the first time. Mr P. Jj McLean, who has been chairman of, the board for about 15 years, headed) the poll with a majority of 35 votes over Mr J. B. Kent, one of two Labour .nominees. | No sitting members of the Hospi-

tai Board were defeated, Messrs Kent,. A. Mosley and McKane heading the poll for that body, whilst Messrs J. F. Laing and O. C. Joyce, two Citizens Association candidates, were also elected, replacing Messrs J. Kyle and F. F. Boustridge, who did not seek election. The three sitting members of the Power Board seeking re-election, Messrs J. B. Kent, W. H. Parfitt, and A. H. McKane, were returned in that order, whilst Mr L. B. Hutchison, a Labour candidate, was also elected to the board. A unique feature of the results is that, by them, Mr J. B. Kent has become a member of every local body for which a citizen of Greymouth is eligible. Mr Kent is now a member

of the Borough Council, Power Board, Hospital Board, Harbour Board, 1 Technical School Board of Govern-, 1 ors, Fire Board, Westland Licensing Bench, as well as numerous other local and semi-public bodies. THE NEW LOCAL BODIES. The composition of the new Greymouth Harbour Board will be as fol-1 lows: Messrs P. J. McLean, J. B.| Kent (Greymouth), W. Clayton (In-' angahua County), J. Ryall, J. Mul-j care (Grey County), J. Smeaton (Runanga and ferunner), G. A. Perry (Hokitika), J. A. Murdoch (Westland County), and A. H. McKane (Gov-, ernment nominee). | The new Hospital Board will have The following personnel: Messrs J. l Smeaton (Brunner), R. McTaggart' (Runanga), A. Robinson, H. G. Car--ter, J. Mulcare .(Grey County), J. B.| Kent, A. Mosley, A. H. McKane, J? F. Laing, and O. C. Joyce (Grey- 1 mouth). | Messrs L. B. Hutchison and W.' Fisher are the new members of the' Grey Electric Power Board, the per-' Isonnel of which will be: Messrs W.! Clayton, J. Mulcare, W. Fisher (Grey-

Inangahua Counties), J. Unwin (Runanga), J. Smeaton (Brunner), W. H. Parfitt, A. H. McKane, J. B. Kent and L. B. Hutchison (Greymouth). Candidates’ Speeches HOPE FOR CITIZENS' CO-OPERATION. “ T wish sincerely' to thank all members of the excellent and energetic committee who, for the past fortnight, and from almost sunrise this morning have worked so strenuously until the poll closed,” said the Mayor-elect, Mr F. A. Kitchingham. “I feel very greatly the honour which has been conferred on me by the 1400 voters who have given me first preference. They have placed upon me a great responsibility, and I hope that I shall not fail them. I feel that I will not fail, Those who are elected with me, will expect criticism, but let us have criticism of a constructive nature. I have great faith in the town of Greymouth, and I • feel confident that it will become even greater in the future. I trust that

the people of the town will co-oper-aie with me and the new Council. If that co-operation is given us, I leel sure that they and I will be able to leave the town better and greater than it is to-day.” (Applause). Mr A. H. McKane, was, 4 the next speaker. ‘‘l wish to extend my sincere congratulations to Mr Kitchingham,” he said. “I want to offer to him and to his good wife my warmest congratulations, and to wish them both a very successful term of office. Like Mr kitchingham, I think that Greymouth is a great town, and that its people are good people. Should Ihe opportunity come at a future date for me to contest the Mayoralty with Mr Kitchingham, I hope to do so, and feel sure thpt the fight will he a keen one. Some of use have got, and have given, kicks during the post fortnight, but. 1 hat is now all gone by the board.” Mr McKane thanked the electors who had supported him, and said that he would specially like to thank the ‘‘Grey ■ River Argus” for the amount, of space [ they had given him durng the campaign. He expressed his thanks to those members of the committees who had worked hard to secure his return.

“Before congratulating Mr Kitchingham, I think I deserve to receive thanks from the town for coming forward and creating more interest in this election than has been displayed for many years in Greymouth,” said Mr P. Blanchfield, junr, ‘‘l honestly congratulate Mr Kitchingham, for after all it would have been hard to put him out. He deserves the position, and no one on the Coast is more fitted for it. I do not see things in the same light as Mr Kitchingham, but I feel that the town could not have picked a better man as Mayor. I have no regrets at the election. I had plenty of friends to help me, although I had no newspapers, but I put more value on my friends than I do on both the newspapers. If the campaign had gone on for a few more days I think that the result might have been different. Perhaps my services are lost, to the town for three years, but if there should happen to be a by-election, I will be the first in. I want to emulate King Bruce and the Spider, and I hope in the future to be able to do more for Greymouth than I have tried to do in the past. Greymouth is the greatest town in the world, and I only hope it will Become greater under Mr Kitchingham.”

Grey County Election

NELSON CREEK RIDING. MR W. FISHER ELECTED. Two candidates contested the Nelson Creek Riding, the result being the return of Mr W Fisher. The voting was as follows:—

Grey Power Board INANGAHUA-GREY COUNTY COMBINED. Five candidates contested the election in the Combined Grey County and Inangahua County for three seats on the Grey Electric Power Board, and two sitting members, Messrs W. Clayton and J. Mulcare, were returned, together with Mr W. Fisher, of Nelson Creek. The voting at the various polling booths was as follows:—

Haupiri, Kopara, and Aratika votes are yet to come to hand, but they cannot affect the result.

There were no informal votes, but there were’ four declarations at Blackball. GREYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD. COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES UNOPPOSED. *J. Ryall *J. Mulcare (Unopposed.) The following liding members were returned unopposed: *John Ryall (Cobden), *AUan McDonnell (Waipuna), ’James Mulcare (Brunnerton), *H. G. Carter (Red Jacks), *J. W. Hannan (Paroa), * Arthur Robinson (Hohonu), and Gordon Blair (Maori Creek). There was no nomination for the Marsden Riding. Inangahua County CHAIRMAN DEFEATED. The biggest surprise in the Inanga-

hua County Elections was the defeat of the County Chairman, Mr. J. B. Auld, in the Reefton Riding. Results were as follows: — Reefton Riding. *J. F. Seawright 129 i: T. R. Watson 125 J. S. McGregor 92 (Elected). F. W. Archer .. 85 A return from Black’s Point, was not available last evening, but was not likely to affect the result. Boatman’s Riding. . *John O'Regan 52 P. J. O’Regan 35 (Elected). J. J. Coghlan 31 *W. S. Clark 22 The following were elected un opposed:— Anfonio’s Riding:—W. Clayton, G B. Mclnroe, Jas. Scott. Maruia Springs Riding:—W. Black adder. GREYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD. *W. Clayton ,95 (Elected). J. F. Seawright 72 John O'Megan 72 F. W. Archer 32 G. B. Mclnroe 17 INANGAHUA hospital board. *T. R. Watson 218 •P, J. O’Regan 213 *W. Clayton 205 *.T. F. Seawright 200 •J. B. Auld 197 e G. B. Mclnroe 188 *W. F. Archer 159 J. J. Coghlan 146 (Elected). W. S. Clark 157 J. S. McGregor 141 R. C. Gibbs 121 Jas. Scott 104 Returns from Black’s Point, Rotokohu, Spring’s Junction and Maruia were not available last night, but it was not expected that these returns would effect the results of the Hospital and Harbour Board elections. WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Southern Riding MR. McLEAN HEADS POLL. Mr. P. J. McLean, of Greymouth, headed the poll in the election of four members for the Southern Riding of Westland County. The figures were:— *P. J. McLean 327 -James Donovan 389 Geo. Rowley 202 W. Searle, Senr., 202 (Elected). E. A. Kirby 176 W. Searle, Junr 146 There were numerous South Westland booths, the details of the voting at which were not last night available. At Hokitika, where 57 votes were lost, the candidates’ totals were: McLean 51, Donovan 41, Rowley 40, Kirby 26, Searle, Senr., 20, Searle, Jnr., 8. Mr. McLean increased his vote by 106 on the total of 221, which he previously polled at the bye-elec tion for the Southern Riding. Mr J. Donovan headed the poll at Okaritb Forks and Mr. McLean at the other booths. Other results:— Northern Riding: J. A. Murdoch and Bernard Ward (unopposed). Central Riding: Alfred Dale, W. A Jamieson and T. P. O’Neill (unopposed). Westland Hospital Board: A. Dale, T. W. Duff, A. R. Elcock, E. W. Keenan, W. A. Jamieson, J. A. Murdoch (unopposed). Westland Power Board: A. Dale, T W. Duff, Jas. Fleming, W. J. M. Hayward, E. W. Heenan, W. A. Jamieson, J. A. Murdoch, T. P. O’Neill, ana F W. Selby (unopposed).

Hokitika Harbour Board: E. W Heenan and M. Houston (unopposed)

Greymouth Harbour Board: J. A Murdoch (unopposed).

Hokitika Borough MR. PERRY RE-ELECTED MAYOR. [Our Own Correspondent.] HOKITIKA, May 11. The results of the Municipal eleci tions were announced about 10.30 ■ o’clock to-night, a large number of I residents assembling in the vicinity of jthe Town Hall to hear the announcement. The poll was a very large one Jor Hckitika. I The Mayor, Mr. G. A. Perry, who [has held office for over 26 years, was re-elected with a large majority over Mr. E. W. Heenan. The only feature of the Borough elections was the defeat of Cr. T. W. Duff, who has been a member of the Council for a lengthy period. Mr. G. A. Perry was successful in his candidature for the Greymouth Harbour Board. Results were as follows:— Mayoralty. *G. A. Perry 818 E. W. Heenan 310 Majority for Perry 508 Borough Council. *H. L. Michel 901 "A. R. Elcock 900 *H. T. Parry 888 C. Caliari 839 W. H. A. Stopfarth 836 *G. Heinz 776 John Fox 667 D. F. E. Freitas 660 (Elected). ' *T. W. Duff 580 D. T. R. P. Breeze 552 Informal 4 HOKITIKA HARBOUR BOARD. *H. T. Parry 654 E. L. P. Renton 627 *J. J. Mclntosh, Senr 587 (Elected). W. H. A. Stodforth 474 D. F. E. Freitas 315 *H. C. Harvey .302 Informal . ' 46 WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD. *H. T. Parry 724 *E. L. Park 526 G. Heinz 500 (Elected). John Fox 459 J. L. Turner 455 D. T. R. P. Breeze 320 Informal ....... 55

GREYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD. (Combined Boroughs of Hokitika, Kumara and Ross).

Majority for Perry: 769. KUMARA. There was no election in Kumara for the local offices, the following being returned unopposed: Mayor: *A. ■B. Spiers; Borough Council: D. A. McLean, W. Lawrence, R. J. Little, A. E. Langham, ’Mrs C. Passmore, F. W. Wise, J. J. Pamment, S. Harris, and -J. Murphy. Westland Hospital Board (Boroughs of Ross and Kumara):—G. F, Chapman. Ross Borough MAYOR DEFEATED. Mr. John Murdoch, Mayor of Ross for several terms, was defeated yesterday by Mr. K. O. May, a wellknown Labour man who was successful by a majority of 55 votes. The figures were:— K. O. May 152 John Murdoch 97 Informal .... 5 Majority for May ■ 55 ROSS BOROUGH COUNCIL. John Cumming 213 “Sydney Upjohn 205 Patrick Minehan 184 John Woolhouse 173 “W. J. Blacklow T5O Charles Upjohn ■■ ■ ■ 153 (Elected). *R. J. Scott 121 NEW MAYOR’S POLICY.

At a meeting of Ross electors prior to the Mayoral election, the successful candidate, Mr May (who was introduced by Mr Blacklow), stated that when approached to be nominated for the position, he felt it was his duty to place before the public his views on various matters. He had been in office as Councillor for nine years, and was also a member of the School Committee, secretary of the Aero Club, a member of the Unemployment Council, school clubs, and various sporting bodies of the town. Regarding borrowed money on leasehold sections, he had gone into the matter thoroughly. The Government informed the Council that no money was available on these grounds. He hoped to have this ban lifted. He was very much in favour of the fortyhour week for Borough employees.

He had been the original mover for the building of the new Fire Brigade Hall, renovating the Recreation building and the Coronation Hall, also several other undertakings towards the improvement of the town. He worked hard to get the rail-car l 0 Ross. He read the replies he received from the Railway Department and from Mr O’Brien, M.P. He was still in favour of working for the comfort of the public. He considered everyone should pay their rates. If a person, through hardship, was unable to pay, then that' person should be given) ample time, but should pay in the end. The time had come when the electric power should be in Ross. He had worked hard to find ways and means to get the power there. He had on three occasions approached people re schemes and costs. The costs were too high. It was still his utmost wish that some scheme could be found to get a good lighting system for the town. He was in favour of having better water supply, hy enlarging the dam, safeguarding and improving the syphon and pipe-line. He was not in favour of having a new Recreation Ground. Ross already had a fine ground surrounded by trees and shrubs. If the Government advanced any money, he was in favour of spending it on improvements to the present ground, children’s playground, and the golf links. The Golf Club had over 70 members. The town did not warrant another Recreation Ground. The housing was so acute and conditions so bad that he suggested to the public that £2500 be borrowed from the Government to build four houses. He

was responsible for a glass case being made to show off the cups, shields, and trophies which Ross should be proud to own. These trophies have been sadly neglected in the past, but in the near future they would be on show for the public to see. He mentioned that rumours were in circulation that the sitting Council had been wasting the ratepayers’ money, and that the Council was on the verge of bankruptcy. He was pleased to contradict that rumour. On the Council coming into office, there was £4OO in the bank; on the eve of the new election he was pleased to say then? was £296 now in hand. Some of the expenditures were: £175 general, £172 Fire Brigade Hall, £7B on ♦She hall (mostly to the operating room); and £9B on the water. At no time whatever did he let the firm of Stuart and Chapman sway him in their favour, if it would benefit the firm in any way as against the public. He would like to squash these rumours, and’ would sooner retire from office than let that be the case.

Westport Borough MEMBERS RE-ELECTED. [Our Own Correspondent.] WESTPORT, May 11. All sitting members of the Westport Borough Council were returned at to-day’s poll, whilst the sitting members of the Hospital Board were also re-elected. A proposal to change the weekly half-holiday to Saturday was carried by an overwhelming majority. The Mayor, Mr J. Kilkenny, was re-elected unopposed. | Results were:— | BOROUGH COUNCIL. Mohn Bird 1063 *O. L. Nahr 1025 *C. H. Thomas 1018 »M. O’Dea 944 *J. Radford 928 W. P. Caldwell 915 *G. E. J. Taylor 889 *E. R. Fox 810 *J. A. Stowell 752 (Elected.) J. Fairbairn 644 A. T. Ridsdale 591 W. P. Jackson 512 E. Parfitt 470 H. M. Hennessy .399 H. G. Stephen 398 E. Potter 388

BULLER HOSPITAL BOARD. ■Mrs 11. A. Bird 1208 'W. P. Caldwell 1044 *E. R. Fox 895 (Elected.) Mrs E. M. Ridsdale 563 R. Higman 530 STATUTORY HALF-HOLIDAY. WESTPORT POLL. (Our Own Correspondent.] WESTPORT, May 11. The results of the poll to change the weekly statutory half-holiday were: — Monday • • 4 Tuesday ■ 1 Wednesday 4 Thursday 451 Friday 6 Saturday 1096 Majority for Saturday .... 645 There were 39 informal votes. Thursday was previously the halfhol Ida y. BULLER HOSPITAL BOARD. *Hon. W. H. Mclntyre ... 383 John Dowgray 292 W. R. Simpson 268 *J. M. Niven 260 (Elected.) James Ward - 247 \J. R. Griffiths 228 ■R. Finlayson 227 J. H. Powell 209 *R. J. Hawes 176 R. McKenna 147 Mrs O. Tyler 132 H. C. Hawes 109 W. H. I-lateley 98 E. L. Roberts 89 Informal 105 < Buller County LOAN PROPOSALS CARRIED. I Our Own Correspondent.] WESTPORT, May 11. Considerable intei est was taken in (he Buller County Council election, jin which also the ratepayers were [asked to sanction the Council’s loan proposals. All of the County members seeking re-election were returned, with the exception that in the Mokihinui Riding, Messrs J. G. Jordan and S. R. Johnston are equal with 52 votes.

The results are as folows:— BULLER COUNTY LOAN PROPOSALS. Results of the loan proposals were: £14,000 Road Improvements Loan. For 597 Against 145 Majority' 452 £3BOO New County Chambers Loan. For 593 Against 151 Majority' 442 BULLER COUNTY COUNCIL. Karamea Riding. *W. R. Simpson 72 H. C. Hawes 43 Mokihinui Riding. *.T. G. Jordan < 52 F. R. Johnston 52 J. M. Niven 39 Ngakawau Riding. ”D. Kerr 73 J. Dowgray 53 Wareatea Riding. E. L. Roberts 41 W. H. Woodcock 34 W. H. Hapeley 18 Wareate’a South Riding. *D. J. Archer 61 G. E. McPadden 20 The following riding members were returned unopposed: *J. H. Powell (Charleston), J. Ward (Waimangaroa), *W. H. Mclntyre (Millerton), ■*V. M. Dellavedova (Lyell). (Other Municipal Election results will be found on Page 5.)

r* eg a> o G p E Q Ngahere 16 4 Nelson Creek IS 12 Grey County Office .... 5 12 —— — Totals 39 28 Majority for Fisher .. There was one declaration. 11.

o 1 o <D c 1 rt Q a QJ rC s g 1 5 o o Q 2 m i ° £Q £ £ 6 Coal Creek 8 1 3 8 2 1 Rapahoe .... . 5 3 4 4 2 Barrytown 1 — — 1 1 Maher’s Creek 0 0 0 0 0 Nobles 1 — — 1 1 1 Ahaura . 17 2 9 6 5 i Totara Flat .. . 15 3 13 11 2 I Haupiri — — — — — ' Roa 3 0 1 3 Blackball ...., . 22 16 20 52 7 Atarau . 4 0 4 4 0 Ngahere . 20 9 20 21 3 Nelson Creek . 19 13 23 15 6 Kotuku 4 0 5 5 0 Moana G 4 7 6 1, Ruru 4 4 0 0 2 Kopara — — — — J Kaiata 2 0 1 2 1 Boddytown . 3 1 1 . 2 2' South Beach .. 11 4 □ 13 6 I Paroa 6 6 4 4 4' Rutherglen 5 3 1 4 1| Kokiri 4 2 6 4 2, Aratika — — — Camerons .... 3 1 1 1 1) Marsden . 2 0 2 2 O' Westbrook 1 2 0 3 3: Hohonu 2 1 1 2 0 Rotomanu .. . . 9 4 8 7 3 Poerua 1 0 1 0 1 Te Kinga .... 2 2 0 1 1 Inchbonnie — — 1 1 1 Waiuta 9 7 7 8 11 Ikamatua .... 14 5 3 9 9 Greymouth 60 34 24 44 10 Totals 263 127 175 244 88

«G. A. Perry. E. W. Heenan. Ross 197 5G Kumara 45 3G Hokitika 1039 420 — *. 1281 512