NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1933. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Northern Advocate, 4 May 1933, Page 4

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY

THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1933. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper.

The municipal elections held in Whangarei yesterday created more than ordinary interest, which makes it rather surprising that a larger number-of votes was not polled. The number of electors on the roll was 3916, while the votes cast were only in the vicinity of 1750. The Mayoral contest resulted in a handsome [victory for Air William Jones. I who was re-elected by 1091 votes | as against 634 polled by Mr R. H. Finch. The verdict of the burgesses indicates the personal! popularity of Mr and Mrs Jones and the esteem in w'hich their past services are held. "We extend our hearty congratulations , to,, the Mayor, and express the hqpejhat his next term of office may be pleasant and successful. The times through which the Dominion is passing make very strenuous the work of the chief magistrate of every town and city, and it is sincerely to be hoped that Mr Jones will have Avhole-hearted sympathy and support in carrying out measures which may be for the welfare of Whangarei. Mr Finch is also to be congratulated upon a very good performance in difficult circumstances. It must be recorded to his credit that he allowed himself to be nominated only after it had been impressed upon him that he would be able, if the electors placed him in the -Mayor-’

al chair, to render iißoTnl service to the borough. He. entered the contest solely under the impulse of patriotism, and the chief cause of regret at his defeat is the fact that the borough has lost his valuable assistance as a (dty

Father at the council table. The election of Borough (’onncillors was well contested, and the choice the burgesses have made should provide a council capable of dealing in a serviceable manner with problems that may arise. The members of the present council who again offered their services to Ihe town were re-elected, which is a tribute to the burgesses’ estimation of their worth, and the new blood should prove of real value. Mr d. 0. Barclay, who headed the poll, has good reason to be gratified, and we offer him our felicitations. By returning the two retiring members of the Harbour Board, the burgesses expressed their desire; that the board should complete the scheme of improvement to which it is putting the finishing touches, so far as making the Kioreroa harbour available for use is concerned. The Hospital Board election resulted in the return--■ of two retiring members, Mr Jones, who headed the poll witlr a substantial majority, and Mr Higginson. Mr Barclay supplanted Mrs Donaldson, who may go into retirement with the comforting reflection that she has rendered useful service during her association with the board. AVhile the candidates who were successful at the polls are to be congratulated, it should not be forgotten that the unsuccessful candidates are deserving of the burgesses’ thanks. In offering their services, they exhibited that civic spirit which is the leaven of community life. There is unfortunately too little of that commodity, and those who are prepared to work for the public if the public wishes them to do so are worthy of commendation.