WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD

Matamata Record, Volume XVIII, Issue 1626, 9 May 1935, Page 4

WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD

YESTERDAY’S POLL Matamata County and District Sitting Member Scores Heavily The poll held yesterday in Matamata County, Matamata Borough and Putaruru Town District for the election of one member of the Waikato Hospital Board resulted in the re-election of Mr. J. Price. The total votes were as follow: J. Price .. ... • 341 .J. Pohlen .. . 176 Majority for Price .. 165 There was one informal vote, and two votes by declaration have yet to be allotted. THE INDIVIDUAL BOOTHS

Twenty Per Cent. Votes Cast

Taking into consideration , that the only election in the Matamata County and Borough and Putaruru Town District was that which concerned the combined district’s member on the Waikato Hospital Board the polling generally may ,be considered fairly heavy. Approximately 20 per cent, of the electors voted. This would mean that these people displayed a keen interest, while others were prepared to leave their interests to either candidate. In addition there must be taken into consideration the number of absentee votes, which are always considerable at a county election. '

The poll showed a majority for the sitting member" at every booth but two. The sitting member, Mr. Price, secured a majority of practically two to one.

MR. JOSEPH PRICE Mr. Price is the sitting member on the Hospital Board, on which body he has setfved for 12 years. He acted as deputy-chairman for four years and has served on the finance committee for 10 years. Mr. Price was the first chairman of the Matamata Town Board, and is the present chairman of the Thames Valley Power Board, on which body he has served since its inception. Mr. Price also served for a number of years on the Matamata Domain Board, and was chairman of the Red Cross campaign in the Matamata district during the war., In the old station days Mr. Price was a member of the Racing Club, and when the present club was formed in 1905, as treasurer he handed over a balance of some £2O. He has been a member of the present club since its, inception, and has acted as president and secretary, being secretary of the first totalisator meeting. When after the war racing was resumed Mr. Price again acted as president. Mr. Price has also had his term at president of the A, and P. Association.

The humanitarian part of ‘Mr. Price’s life included a magnificent effort during the influenza epidemic of 1918. He was outstanding among the splendid people who rendered service at that period.

MR. JOSEPH POHLEN Mr. Pohlen has had experience on practically every local body in the district, with the exception of the Hospital" Board. He has served on the Thames Valley Power Board since its inception. He was the first chairman of the old Matamata Road Board in the days of the old Piako County Council, and was one of the prime movers in securing the petition which first secured the disbandment of the board and. the splitting of Piako County to form the Matamata County. Mr. Pohlen was one of the original members of the Matamata County Council, and served for very many years, being recognised as one of its soundest members. Latterly he was again elected and has been on the county for the past few years. He was an original member of the- Matamata Town Board and also served on early school committees as chairman

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i • i . } and secretary. He was also one of the prime movers in forming the Matamata A. and P. Association, and was first secretary of this body. He has acted as president and is now a life member. For 20 years Mr. Pohlen served on the Tauranga Licensing Committee, and was . for six or nine years on the Hungahunga Drainage Board. Mr. Pohlen also has had a close connection with the Matamata Racing Club, having been a member in the old station days, and when the settlement was opened he acted as president.. For years he' hUs been a steward of the Te Aroha Racing Club, and has been a keen supporter of all .sports, including cricket, tennis and football.

Tirau .. .. Pohlen. .. 0 Price 13 Matamata .. 131 166 Waharoa .. 6 21 Turanga-o-moana .. 3 6 Okauia 6 0 Hinuera 8 5 Te Poi 2 6 Okoroire .. 0 4 Putaruru 6 46 Arapuni .. — / —• Lichfield •• . . l . . 7 : \Vaotu .. 0 32 Tokoroa - ■v. • O' 12 Karapiro .. 2 2 Maungatautari • •. 5 , 10 Cambridge 6 • 11