MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 97, 22 April 1909, Page 5

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

[from our correspondent. 1

WELLINGTON, Wednesday

The Mayoral election campaign proceeds very quietly, save for an occasional verbal "scrap" between the redoubtable "Dahn" Fisher and, the equally irrepressible Mr Bolton, as to what one or the other of them did or didn't say on this, that and the other occasion. The Labour people profess to be confident of a win with the Hon. Jno. Rigg, but it is well known that there will be no "block" harbour vote for that gentleman. Mr Rigg is in many ways a very able man, and as to his sincerity and absolute honesty I am certain. But he is seriously handicapped by the fact that he has to swallow holus bolus the Trades Council civic platform, and also by the wild, rubbish talked by some leading members of that body. Dr Newman should win "on paper" but it will be a tight go between the doctor and Messrs Wilford and Fisher. The most extraordinary feature about Wellington municipal elections is the indifference of the ratepayers to : the views held by the candidates for Councillors' seats. So far the candidates are a very third-rate lot, and as to what they think on the various civic problems we are quite in the dark, and yet it is just as important to have a good City Council as it is to have a competent and prudent Mayor. But so far the candidates are men of most mediocre business capacity and standing, and'yet no one seems to care a dump.

[PEESS ASSOCIATION.] NELSON, April 22. Mr Jesse Piper (the sitting Mayor) and Councillor W- S. Hampson will contest the Mayoral seat. For Richmond Mr Sheat has been re-elected Mayor unopposed, and for Motueka Mr F. W. Thorpe. NAPIER, April 22. Mr J. Vigor Brown has been reelected Mayor unopposed.. There are thirteen nominations for nine vacancies on the Council. GORE, April 22. ': Mr A. A. Mac Gibbon has been \re~ elected Mayor of Gore.