CANDIDATES DILEMMA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22100, 4 May 1935, Page 16

CANDIDATES DILEMMA

NOT QUALIFIED AS ELECTOR TOO LATE TO WITHDRAW [BY TELEGRAPH —'I'RKSS ASSOCIATION] WESTPORT, Friday A peculiar position has arisen in connection with the forthcoming election in the Karamea riding of the Buller County Council, as it appears one of the candidates, Mr. Harold Watson, does not possess the qualifications of ah electai\ As his nomination has been accepted, however, and as the time for a candidate's withdrawal has expired, the poll must proceed. Should; Mr. Watson be returned he jniay haviji to resign. NOMINATION REJECTED » WAITEiVIATA COUNTY COUNCIL The nomination of Mr. Ronald W. Wise as a candidate for the Waikumete riding on the Waitemata County Council was declined by the returning officer, Mr. C. A. Cawkwell, clerk to the council. The reason was that Mr. Wise was not strictly a ratepayer. On the electoral roll of the Waipareira riding appears, " Wniatarua Hotel, Limited, per Itonald W. Wise." Mr. Wise considered that this made him eligible for nomination and suggested thai; Mr. W. A. Bishop, chairman of the Waitwmata County Council, shoidd instruct the returning officer to accept the nomination. Referring to the matter yesterday, Mr. Bishop said that he, as chairman of the council, had no power to order the returning officer to accept any nomination. The. opinion of the council's solicitors stated that the chairman had no such right, and the returning officer would not be bound to comply with the Chairman's direction. '■ HAMILTON ASPIRANTS CLAIMS OF MR. J. R. FOW lr , [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Fritlny > There was an attendance of about 150 at Pearson's Hall, Hamilton, last e\-ening, when the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr.. J. It. Fou', detailed the achievements of the Borough Council during the past two years. In tliot period, said Mr. Fow, the rates haiil been reduced as follows: Hamilton and Claudelands, Jd in the pound; Frankton, 10-16 din the pound; Maeroa, 17-32 d in the pound; refuse collection, 3s. With the drop in rateable values, these reductions represented £9267 per annum. During the year the conversion of the council's loans, coyer i rig £684,853 ordinary debenture loans and £82,000 instalment repayment loans, was practically compleied. Mr. Fow said he based his claims for re-election on his record of municipal service since 1007 and the fact that he was a considerable ratepayer. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. Fow was! accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. The Labour candidate for the council,; Mrs. .15. Snookes, and Messrs. C. Lafforty find A. Langstone, received an attentive hearing when addressing a largely-attended meeting at Frankton last evening. Mr. Lafferty is also contesting t'lio Mayoralty. At the close of the meeliing the candidates received votes of thanks and confiderice.