LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20706, 2 May 1929, Page 10

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS.

YESTERDAY’S POLLING RESULTS. MR R. S. BLACK ELECTED MAYOR. CONFIDENCE IN RETIRING COUNCIL. The biennial local body elections took place yesterday. The increased public interest that was indicated by the nomination of no fewer than five candidates for the mayoralty--although only four went to the poll—and 34 candidates for the City Council was confirmed by a 5000 increase in the volume of the polling. At the 1927 elections it was estimated that 10,000 elector* availed themselves of the franchise, while in 1925 the total number of voters was 12,058. Mr R. S. Black won the mayoral contest by the comfortable margin of 909 votes, with Mr C. H. Hayward second. Mr F. Jones, the nominee of the Labour party, filled 'third place with 1690 votes fewer than Mr Black. Mr John M'Donald. the fourth candidate, polled less than one-fourth of Mr Black’s total. The electors manifested confidence in the outgoing council by returning eight of the nine former councillors who sought rc-cleclion. .Despite the nomination of large “tickets” Labour failed to increase its representation on any of the bodies.

pital Board who sought re-election were successful with the exception of Mr Larnach, who was displaced hy Mrs Macdonald, a former member of the board, who was not a candidate at the last election. There are now three women on this board. Mr R. W. Hall secured the representation of the boroughs of St. Kilda and Green Island and the Peninsula County, defeating Mr J. W. Dove, who has hold the seat for the past 10 years. All the members of the previous Harbour Board who were candidates for reelection were returned, and Mr J, H. Duncan also secured a seat, replacing Mr C. H. Hayward, who did not seek rcelection. The counting of the votes for these three bodies was not completed till just on midnight, and although a number of the candidates waited, for the returning officer's announcement, no speeches were made on account of thq lateness of the hour. A few hardy spirits waited about in the cold darkness for a long time after the result of the mayoral election* had been made known, but all had left the Town Hall long before the stair within had completed their work. The following are the results of the voting:— CITY MAYORALTY. ' BLACK, ROBERT SHERIFF .. Hayward, Charles Henry 4792 Jones, Frederick (Lab.) .. .. 3811 M'Donald, John .. 1321 Informal, 171, Majority for Black, 900, SPEECHES BY CANDIDATES. Immediately after the result of the mayoral election was announced speeches were delivered by Messrs Black, Hayward, Jones, and Douglas, the lastnamed of whom withdrew from the contest after the nominations had closed. . Mr Black, who was received ■with cheers, said he wanted to address them as brothers all. “If a man has any trouble,” said the speaker, “ let him come to me as a man, and I shall meet him as a man. Mr Black said that was a very proud moment, and it was very difficult to express himself in words when his heart was full. He appreciated very much the confidence that had been reposed in him, and he trusted that at the end of his term as Mayor of this fair city he would have upheld the best traditions of the' city and that the electors would have no regrets at having placed him at the head of the poll. To those who had voted against him he lifted his hat, because it was a matter of opinion. Of those who had not voted he had not quite the same high opinion, because he felt that they should have sufficient interest in the city to record their votes for or against any measure.—(“Hear, hear”). It was with feelings of deep regret that he knew they were losing the wonderful services of his friends—Mr Douglas and Mr Hayward.—{“ Hear, hear.”). A voice: And a few more of them too.—(Laughter.) Mr Black said he would like them to feel that he was speaking earnestly from his heart when he said he was going to do the best that in him lay for the benefit of Dunedin as be saw it, without fear or favour and without pressure, and if he made mistakes he would try not to make them twice. His election would go down in history as notable for the wonderful sympathy and friendly feeling displayed throughout. If Mr Jones had won he (Mr Black) would have accepted the decision loyally. He represented Labour as much as Mr Jones did, and he represented everyone without section. For his committee he had nothing but the heartiest praise to give, for they had worked wonderfully. The poll had,been a record one, and he was proud of that, because he felt that he had the voice of Dunedin behind him. He appreciated very much the confidence shown in him, which counted more than the position, and he hoped that at the end of two years they would be glad that they had voted for him.— (Cheers.) Mr Hayward, who received a similar reception to that accorded Mr Black, said he thought he would have to go in for some more training. This was tho second race in which he had managed to make a good second. He thanked the many kind friends who had supported him, and he was proud of the vote recorded for him. It was the decision of the city that he should not be Mayor, and he accepted the decision.

He congratulated the man who had won the honour, and he Was proud of those who voted against him. He had been their representative for many years, and had tried to give them good service. He regretted that he would be absent from the Town Hall for some time, but he might come back at some future date. If the opportunity offered he would still offer his services to the city. Many people had worked hard for him, and he thanked them, one and all.— (Applause.) Mr Jones, who was well received, said he had finished third, and, of course, received no dividend, but he was proud of the performance he hfiTd put up. He sincerely thanked the 3811 electors who recorded their votes in his favour. He was very glad to have the opportunity of congratulating Cr Black on his splendid victory. It was obvious that Dunedin wanted him for its Mayor, and be earnestly hoped that now they had selected him they would support him, so that everyone would be able to work for the good of the city. The campaign had been clean and open from first to last. There had been no personalities and no unpleasantness. It was his first experience in that sort of thing, hut it had been a very pleasant one. He would certainly offer, his .services • again at some future date, and although he did not doubt that they had chosen wisely on this occasion, who knew but they might select him for the mayoralty next time ? (Applause.) Mr J, S. Douglas, who was greeted enthusiastically, said that after 20 years of public life he had decided to take a rest for a couple of years. Later on he might come back if they so desired, and if his health improved. He had done his best for the city, and he hoped that the work he bad accomplished had been carried out to their satisfaction. From now on he might be able to enjoy tho common privilege of a Sunday’s rest. He congratulated tho new Mayoi and sympathised with Mr Hayward. He was sorry to think that his services would now be lost to the City Council. The speaker also congratulated Mr Jones on the heavy poll he secured, and assured his hearers that Mr Jones was a worthy representative, of Labour with widespread public interests. In conclusion, He would like to pay a tribute to the good work that had been done in the past by the retiring council. They had done - a great deal in making Dunedin a modern municipality, a city which was the envy of all other centres. A voice: What about the Leith? Mr Douglas; The Leith will he all right one of these days, or, at least, I hope so. The voice: Perhaps! Mr Douglas referred to the work of organising flood relief, and stated that it was hoped that by next week everything would be in readiness for h commencement of the work of giving relief to those who had. suffered . most.— (Cheers.) ■ Mr M'Donald did not appear at tho Town Hall. CITY COUNCIL. Votes. "CLARK, - JAMES JOHN ' EA.) .. 7681 "SHACKLOCK, JOHN BRADLEY (E.A.) .. 7248' "MUNRO, JAMES WRIGHT (Lab.) .. 7184 LAWRENCE, FRANK LEONARD (EA.) 6706 "SCOTT, WALTER ALEXANDER (EA.) .. .. .. 6608 "MITCHELL, FRANCIS WILLIAM (E.A.) .. .... ■.. 6350 TAPLEY, HAROLD LIVINGSTONE (E.A.) 6226 "CAMPBELL, HERBERT CECIL .. .. .. 6104 "WILSON/ JOHN (EA.) .. 6003 MARLOW. JAMES JOHN (EA.) .. 567! WILKINSON, FRANK (E.A.) .. 5358 "BEGG, WILLIAM 5334 (The above were elected.) Edgar, Adam David (E.A.) . . 5066 Smith, Charles Robert (EA.) . 5046 . "Larnach, David T. .. 4834 Ritchie, Patrick Leith (EA).. 4545 Paape, Arthur Albert 4081 Knight, Fred William .. ~ 3931 Sincock, Edwin .. .... . 3923 Harrison, Ralph (Lab.) .. .. 3484 Robinson, John (Lab.) .. .. 3431 Cuttriss, George ‘ Percival .. 3305 ■Neilson, Peter (Lab.) 2790 Batchelor, William Walker (Lab.) . 2731 Silverstone, Mark (Lab) .. 2463 Moss, Cornelius Machin .. .. 2390 Geddes, George Sinclair (Lab.) 2384 Morison, Alexander John (Lab.) 2209 Herbert, Alice (Lab.) .. .. 2138 Minnock, Daniel 1971 Cocking, William George (Lab.) 1956 O’Donnell, Brian (Lab.) .. 1948 Riice, Arthur James (Lab.) 1898 Phillips, Henry Walton ~ 1007 * Retiring councillor. OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD. (Representing Dunedin City and the Borough of West Harbour.) •NEWLANDS, WILLIAM (E.A 10.005 "KNIGHT, WILLIAM EDWARD SHORT (E.A.) .. 9,246 MACDONALD, SADIE (EA.) ' 8,804 "GALLAWAY, GARTH (E.A.) 8,437 "SCURR, JOHN WILLIAM (E.A.) ~ .. 7,933 "RUNCIMAN, JANE ELISABETH (E.A.) 7.726 "ROSS, NORAH (E.A.) .. 7,201 The above wore elected. "Larnach, David .. .. .. 0,784 Macfie, Rosina Sarah .. .. 6,491 Robinson, John (Lab.) .. .. 4,720 Dove, James William 1522 Harrison, Ralph (Lab.) .. 4,185 Herbert, Alice (Lab.) .. .. 3,880 Neilson, Peter (Lab.) .. .. 3,783 Silverstone, Mark (Lab.) .. 2,971 * Indicates members of the previous board-

(Representing the St. Kilda and Green Island Boroughs and the Peninsula County.) HALL, ROBERT WILLIAM 1893 OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD. (Representing Dunedin City and the Borough of St. Kilda.) •LOUDON, JOHN (E.A.) .... 10,362 •CAMPBELL, HERBERT (E.A.) 10,318 •MUNRO, JAMES WRIGHT (Lab.) 9,223 •LARNACH, DAVID 7,745 DUNCAN, JAMES HENRY (E.A.) 7.438 The above were elected. Allen, Andrew Henson (E.A.).. 7,063 Neill, Sydney Edmund Dermot (E.A.) 6,803 Harrison, Ralph (Lab.) ~ .. ~ 4,887 ’ Robinson, John (Lab.) 4,636 Morland, Leo lYilliam (Lab.) 3,123 Cocking, William George (Lab.) 2,457 •Indicates members of previous board. (Two representatives for Port Chalmers), SCOLLAY. THOMAS ...... 557 LOVE, WILLIAM GEORGE, JUN.. 546 The above were elected. •Anderson, Thomas .. .. .. .. 527 Campbell, Norman Hartley .. 403 Informal, 14. •Retiring, member. The candidates returned thanks briefly. Mr Scollay said the principal function of the harbour was to accommodate vessels carrying our agricultural products to the markets of the world. 'To fulfil that' function it was necessary that the lower harbour should be kept at a depth that would enable modern vessels such as the Rangitiki to enter ’ i.nd leave the harbour without inconvenience or risk. Mr Love said he agreed with the provious speaker in regard to maintaining deep water in the lower harbour, that portion of the harbour having, in his opinion, been neglected in order to get boats to the upper harbour. Mr Anderson said that evidently the electors wanted a change .and they were, of course, entitled to have it. He had fought a lone hand on the board and it was not true, as had been alleged, that he had prevented his local colleague from obtaining the chairmanship of the hoard. After referring to several matters pertaining to the harbour, the speaker said that although he had been unsuccessful at the polls that day he would continue to do his best for the town, Mr Campbell said he believed he had had the experience needed to make his services as a member of the board valuable to the town, but the electors had decided against him. Mr Campbell called for a vote of thanks to the returning officer. ST. KILDA. MR R. W. HALL RE-ELECTED MAYOR; With four candidates in the field, the contest for the St. Kilda mayoralty created considerable interest yesterday, and by 9 p.m., when the first returns came to hand, there was a crowd of about 400 people outside the local Town Hall. Mr R. W. Hall, who has occupied the mayoral chair for the past four years, retained his seat by a considerable majority, although Mr G, Stratton, who had completed his first term as a councillor, polled well, and was second in the voting. Seven retiring councillors again offered their services for the council, and all were returned, the three new members being Messrs W. G. Baird, G. Glue, and A. Smiley. The election of a representative on the Otago Hospital Board for the combined districts of St. Kilda, Green" Island, and Peninsula Countty resulted in another victory for Mr Hall, who defeated the retiring member (Mr J. W. Dove) by 373 votes. The following are the results: — THE MAYORALTY. •HALL, ROBERT WM. .. 893 Stratton, George 557 Beattie, John 461 Longworth, Edwin 435 Mr Hall was .elected. Informal, 20. •Retiring Mayor. , THE COUNCIL. •LEARY, HERBERT HASTINGS .. ~ .. ■ 2007 •CONN, CHRISTOPHER ...! 1992 •BEATTIE, JOHN 1971 •FLEMING, JOHN 1940 •GILLAM, FRANK OSWALD 1904 •TELFER, ROBERT 1594 •ROY, THEODORE DUFTON BAGRIE 1881 GLUE, GEORGE 1371 BAIRD, WILLIAM GRIBBEN 1700 SMILEY, ALEXANDER .. 1660 (The above were elected) Carman, James Alexander .. ..1580 •Retiring councillor. In returning thanks for his election Mr Hall said that it w r as not often he got a double, but he had secured one on this occasion. He was glad to stand before them again as Mayor, more particularly as his re-election was a test of the loyalty of the ratepayers towards him, and evidence that they realised, he had done his duty during his four years in office. His greatest desire had always been to look after the interests of the ratepayers, and as they had again entrusted him with the responsibility of the mayoralty he would do his best to justify their confidence. When he decided to contest the seat on the Hospital Board he believed all sections of the community were behind him. He had been approached by various interests, who believed that the time was ripe for a change of representation, atfd he would use every endeavour to safeguard their interests. He regretted that he would lose two of his councillors, and in Mr Longworth especially the borough was losing the services of a tried councillor who had done splendid work on its behalf. Cr Stratton spoke briefly, and, thanking those who had voted for him, said that although he was defeated he was not downhearted, rind intended to offer himself again at the next election. Cr Longworth thanked the ratepayers for their support, and offered his congratulations to Mr Pall. He had honed

for better support, hut the ratepayers had seen fit to place Mr Hall in the mayoral chair, and he bowed to their wishes. During his 10 years as a councillor he had worked hard and done his best to push along the affairs' of the borough, and he had enjoyed every minute of his term. Cr Beattie also returned thanks, and said that he considered that six years was too long a term for one man to occupy a mayoral chair. In thanking his supporters, Mr Dove said that during the 10 years he had sat on the Hospital Board he had endeavoured to safeguard the interests of the ratepayers, and he thought that his successor would find his imprint on the work which had been carried out by the Works Committee. If Mr Hall received the same support from the ratepayers that be had received his term of office should be a happy one. He did not look on the result of the poll as defeat, but merely as victory deferred, and he would again come before them in two years’ time, when the wave of feling which seemed lately to have gone against him had passed. Crs Baird, Glue, Telfcr, and- Smiley also spoke briefly, and returned thanks for the support accorded them. PORT CHALMERS MAYORALTY. MR T. ANDERSON DEFEATED. The polling in the mayoral election at Port Chalmers was heavy, especially during the afternoon. Of 1628 names on the roll 1160 electors recorded their votes. It was anticipated that the result would show only a small majority in favour of either candidate, and that proved to be the case, the majority for the successful candidate being 23 votes. Eight declaratory votes w.ere not counted last night, but they will not affect the result, winch was as follows: LOVE. WILLIAM GEORGE, Jun. .. .. 589 Anderson, Thomas . .. 566 - Informal, 5. Speaking from the Town Hall steps after the returning officer (Mr C. Blackman) had announced the result of thd poll, Mr Love, the .successful candidate, assured those present that he was very pleased to be elected to the responsible position of chief magistrate of the town. He appreciated the honour that had been conferred on him, and he would do everything in his- power to promote the 'prosperity of Port Chalmers. He could assure the electors that the money available for expenditure would be spent to the best advantage.—(Applause.) WEST HARBOUR BOROUGH. ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS. Considerable interest was taken in the election of six candidates to represent the Ravenshourne and Rothesay Wards on the West Harbour Borough Council. The polling "was heavy, and the number of votes recorded in the Rothesay Ward—285—was the largest ever exercised in that district. The Ratepayers’ Association had evry reason to be satisfied with its efforts,, as three of its candidates were returned, Cr F. W. Venn, who has represented the ward for one term, being at the head of the poll. The returning officer (Mr W. Connor) announced the result of the poll at 8.15 p.m. to about 60 residents at the rear of the Coronation Hall. The following was the result:.— RAVENSBOURNB WARD. VENN, Frederick W. 105 ®HARRIDGE, Thomas Herbert .. 93 WILSON, Charles Edward H. .. 92 The above were elected George, William Robert 86 , Macandrew, James M. .. . . .. 78 . •Retiring councillori ROTHESAY WARD. CAMERON, Robert Ewen .. .. 189 RODGER, Thomas Fisher .. .. 144 •KAY, James Martin... .. 121 The above were elected. •Robb, James 118 Johnston, 'Thomas 102 Newy, Arthur Henry .. .. .. 82 . •Retiring councillor. The full council for West Harbour is now as follows:—H. E. Mollcr (Mayor), Crs W. Forgie, A. Smith (Sawyers’ Bay Ward), A. D. Asher, C. J, Hayward (St. Leonards Ward.), F. W. Venn, T. H. Harridge, C. E. H. Wilson (Bavensbourne Ward), R. E. Cameron, T. F. Rodger, J. M. Kay (Rothesay Ward). . Cr Harridge thanked the residents for the continued confidence placed in him. He assured the residents that he would do his best for them and the borough as a whole. The council had a great deal of work to do and he felt sure that if all matters were-given the'same attention as in the past the residents would have no cause for complaint. Cr Venn, in thanking the residents for returning him to the council, said he was extremely grateful to the Ratepayers’ Association for its assistance. He asked the residents not to look to the council for too much, but he assured them that the money available would be spent to the best advantage in all parts of the borough. Cr Cameron thanked the residents for placing him at the top the poll. The interest taken in the election by the people of Rothesay spoke well for the future of the borough. He would always do his best in the interests of the borough. Cr Kay also expressed thanks for his return to the council as a representative for Rothesay. He assured the people that all matters brought before the council would receive full consideration, Cr Rodger said the election had been a very clean one. The Ratepayers’ Association had infused a great deal of interest into the affairs of the district.Cr Wilson said he was proud to be a member of the Ratepayers’ Association, as that body had been the means of infusing new life into the affairs of the borough. He thanked all those who had exercised their vote for him, and assured them he would always do his best for the residents and the borough. On the motion of Cr Harridge, a hearty vote of thanks* was accorded the returning officer. GREEN ISLAND MAYORALTY. MR W. O. SMELLIE ELECTED MAYOR. The contest for the mayoralty of Green Island resulted as follows: SMELLIE, WILLIAM ORR .. 542 Kaler, Warren Thomas .. .. 414 Informal, 11. Addressing a gathering of residents in the Foresters’ Hall, the new Mayor said he was a very proud man that night. He had to thank them for electing him to so responsible a position. He would do his utmost during the next two years to carry out the full programme mentioned in the platform which he had put before them. The retiring Mayor (Mr W. T. Kaler) also briefly' thanked those who had supported him, and said he would possibly come before the electors again as a candidate for the position. Several councillors also addressed the gathering. The returning officer (Mr A. L. Burk) was accorded a vote of thanks. PALMERSTON. The mayoral election resulted as follows: •W. H. HOPKINS 267 J. Kerse 130 •Retiring Mayor.

! The election for the Borough Council reI suited as follows: W. C. ARKLE . 326 J. F. WARREN 319 | *a. MacGregor sso *R. RIDDLE 275 *DR THOMAS 263 J. MacGregor 259 *J. S. MORRISON 244 W. EARLY .. .. 207 *R. BAIN ' 207 The above were elected. W, Day • .. 189 R. Cowan 186 D. M. Thomson 183 J - Dunn '159 * Retiring councillor. BALCLUTHA. . The mayoral election resulted as follows:—■ *F. V; WHITE .. 283 A. M'Neill .. .. i 57 Informal, 6. * Retiring Mayor. Ihe election for the Borough Council resulted ag follows: D. SINCLAIR .. sis *J. R. COPLAND .317 *G. HUNTER 3ii S. WRIGHT 303 D. WATT .. 078 *R. M'LINTOCK ...... 270 W. KEAN •’ o 5 *J. R. GORMACK 045 C. E. NAISH .. .. .. .. 236 The above were elected. I*.. M'Guinness 2fo D. Hastings v 139 J. Stephens 137 W. J. Little • 176 A. Thomas * 11c w.F<n:a ;; so * Retiring councillor. The Electric Power Board election resulted ,as follows: A. E. ‘RUSSELL 263 A. M‘Nei3l ; 220 Two small returns to come. METROPOLITAN RESULTS. AUCKLAND. IPeb United Press Association.! AUCKLAND, May 1. In the mayoral contest the present Mayor was returned, the voting being as follows.— G, BAILDON .. 7539 T. Bloodworth (Lab.) .... 6637 IL E. Vaile .. .. .. .. .. 5533 W. H. Murray ~ .. 4274 There is one small return to come. . The result of the City Council election, m which there are 67 candidates for 21 seats, will not be known till after midnight. v - 1 WELLINGTON. iPbb United Press Association.! WELLINGTON, May 1. With the returns yet incomplete the mayoral figures are:—■ G. A. TROUP . .. 13,595 W. Nash- (Lab.) .. ... .. 8,308 CHRISTCHURCH. (Peb United Psess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 1. The mayoralty election resulted as follows: J. K. ARCHER (Lab.) .... 15,579 W. Hayward (Citizens) .. ~ 14,920 It was the largest poll, ever recorded. The election of the council is by proportional representation, and tbe counting will not be completed to-night. The" indications are that the Citizens’, candidates will have a small majority in the new council. IN OTHER CENTRES. , (Pee United Press Association.) WHANGAREI, May 1. The contest for the mayoralty resulted; —W. Jones 844, D. A. MTiean 777. ONEHUNGA, May 1. For the mayoralty E. Morton defeated H. A. Stoupe. TAKAPUNA, May 1. J.'W. Williamson, the present Mayor, was re-elected. NEW LYNN, May 1. C. F. Gardner was elect id Mayor of the borough, this being tbe first mayoral election in the district. BIRKENHEAD, May 1, J. P. MThail was elected mayor. MOUNT ALBERT, May 1. -L. A. RHODES was re-elected mayor with 2393 votes against R. E. Matthews’s 1933. f UPPER HUTT, May 1. The mayoral election . resulted:—P. Robertson, 682; Angus M’Curdy, 601. LOWER HUTT, May 1. The mayoral contest resulted:—Sir Alexander Roberts, 2298; J. Power, 913 ■ . PETONE, May 1. D. M'Kenzie was returned as mayor unopposed. , EASTBOURNE, May l.i H. M. Jones was elected mayor unopposed. GISBORNE, May 1. The result of. the contest for th.e mayoralty was:—D. W. Coleman (Labour) 2578, A. lYade (Independent) 1439. Mr Coleman was re-elected by 1039 votes. HASTINGS, May 1. For the mayoralty Mr G. F. Roach polled 1108, Mr G. M‘Kay (ex-M.P.) 752, Mr G. C. Lowe 735, Mr J. S. M'Kee 449. LYTTELTON, May 1. The mayoral election resulted;—W. T. Poster, 794; A. M'Donald, 461; W. W. Toy, 236. NEW BRIGHTON. May 1. The mayoral election' resulted:—J. H. Shaw, 782; E. A. M. Leaver, 616; A. W. Owles (the retiring mayor). 612. HAMILTON, May A. The result of the Hamilton mayoral election was: —J. R. Fow (present Mayor) 1532, Dr Pinfold 1450, Mr Gilbert 442. THAMES, May 1. The mayoral contest resu’.ted:—W. Bongard (re-elected) 739, S, Ensor 635, A. J. Whiteside 114. , PALMERSTON N., May 1. In the mayoral election the sitting Mayor (Mr A. J. Graham) polled 2774 votes and Mr Edwards 838. Borough Council.—A. E. Mansfard, M. A. Eliott, W. L. Fitzherbert, A. Guy, D. W. Low, G. Tremaine, C. N. Clausen, J. Hodgens, and W. Milverton, The lastnamed subsequently intimated that he would not take his seat, as he was disappointed with the support accorded him. STRATFORD, May 1. The sitting Mayor (Mr J. W. M‘Millan) was re-elected with 300 of a majority. There were three other candidates. WANGANUI. May, 1. The sitting Mayor (Mr W. I. Rogers) was re-elected, polling 5128 votes, Mr Hope Gibbons securing 2432 and Mr J. Morrison 756. KAIAPOI, May 1. The Kaiapoi mayoral election resulted: W. H. A. Vickery, 370; H. C. Revell, 331. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 1. The mayoral election resulted;—H. V. S. Griffiths, 1878; E. Gilmour, 1088. WAITARA, May 1. The mayoral election resulted:—E. A. George, 421; R. Morgan, 144. INGLEWOOD, May 1. For the mayoralty W. J. Winfield was returned unopposed, , NELSON, May 1. The mayoral election resulted as follows:—Moffatt 1933, Lock 1446. MOTUEKA, May 1. Clay 299, Talbot 191, Wallace 159. BLENHEIM. Mav I.

M. M'Kenzie was re-elected Mayor unopposed. The following council was elected:—P. S. Boyes, William Carr, W. J. Humpreys, A. A. Macnab, E. S. Parker, T. B. Salmon, C. T. Smith, J. Smith, John Wemyss. Hospital Board: Mrs, Fred Redwood, John Wemyss, C. F. A. Whiteford. GREYMOUTH, May 1In the mayoral contest J. W. Grecnslade ■was re-elected unopposed. The Borough Council was elected as follows;—J B, Kent, P. A. Kitchingham, R. J. Williams, J. M'Ginley, J. S. Robertson, G. Perotti, J. Wingham, A. Carroll, C. C. Gleeson. Borough representatiyes on Grey Power Board—J. W. Greenslade, J. B. Kent, W. H. Parfitt. Grey Hospital Board.—Mrs Kate O’Brien, G. R. Barker, J. Brisbane, W. Barrowman. HOKITIKA, May 1. The mayoral election resulted.—G. A. Perry* 400. H. M. Coulson 386, J. W. Jeffries 261, KUMAEA, May 1. For the mayoralty A. 8.. Speirs was reflected. Borough Council.—J. Murphy, J. Reedy, H. Hamer, P. M'Douald, W. M’Farlaue, W. H. Burrell, W. M'Aney, W. Hurren, and J. Stewart. WESTPORT, May I. Keen interest was taken in the municipal elections to-day. For the mayoralty the voting was: —J. H. Harkness (sitting Mayor) 777, George Scandrett 636. For the Hospital Board there were seven candidates for three seats, the elected being:—H. Nahr, W. P. Caldwell, and E. R. Fox. TIMARU, May 1. The mayoral election resulted as follows: —William Angland 2140, Percy C. Vinnell 1503, A. Lawrence Gee 1084. GORE, May 1. Four candidates contested the mayoralty, and the voting resulted: —D, L. Poppelwell 685, W. D, Shelton 612, A. Newman 426, A. Macgibbon 130. Informal, 21. INVERCARGILL, May 1. The polling for the mayoralty resulted: —J. D. Campbell 3161, J. Miller (retiring Mayor) 2071. AUTOMATIC VOTING MACHINE. MR S, MILLER’S INVENTION. The preparation for an election, parliamentary or municipal, is always a big task for the returning officer, and the expense of printing ballot papers is always a heavy item. Many inventors have endeavoured to produce an automatic voting machine that will eliminate all the labour entailed in elections, and at the same time maintain the secrecy of the ballot, be fool-proof and also record the wish of the voter without, fear of error. Among these is Mr S. Miller, of Pukerau, who has been working on such an invention for two years, and he has now produced a machine that seems to meet all the requirements of an automatic voting machine. Mr Miller gave a practical : demonstration of the working of the machine in the Knox Church Sunday School Hall yesterday, when large numbers of people showed keen interest in the device. Mr Miller hopes to enlist the sympathy of the Government to consider the adoption of the machine for general election purposes. For the purposes of an election the machine is screened off in a polling booth, and the electors are allowed, one at 1 a time, to the front or face of the machine, bn which are a number of indicators,- eqch with the hame of a candidate or an issue. The voter pulls down the key facing the name or issue for which he desires to vote, and either he or the returning officer can control a handle at the side and the vote is automatically registered. In the; event of a voter pulling, down the wrobg key he or she may put it back and pull down the desired key provided the lever at the side has not been operated. Once the lever is put back, however, the machine is locked and tbe vote recorded. In the event of 12 candidates being required, the voter may release 12 keys but no more. Once the requisite number of keys has been, pulled down, the others are automatically locked. The advantages of this in eliminating that bugbear of all: elections, the ’informal. vote, is at pnce ; evident. With the automatic voting; machine there can be ho informal vb-t; ing. The wish of ,every voter is recorded and a correct interpretation of public opinion is thus secured. As the votes are recorded on tbe paper rolls in a locked compartment of the machine, they are at the same time automatically added to their respective totals on tbe counters, and are ready for tabulating when the polling ceases. .The returns are qumk and accurate, and the cost of elections is greatly reduced.. The machine may also be used for preferential voting, counting the, first and second preferences of each voter for any candidate or issue, as, in using the machine, one candidate or issue must have an absolute majority on the first count over each opponent or other issue. There are many advantages in voting by _;i machine such as that invented hy Mr Miller, and a few of these are: Easy and speedy voting, a truly secret ballot, no spoiled or defective papers, an absolutely accurate count, immediate election returns, a permanent record of the vote, and reduced election expenses.

POLLING IN THE CITY.

A LARGELY INCREASED VOTE. There were no fewer than 34 polling booths in the City and suburbs, so that the large staff of returning officers and assistants provided by the town clerk (Mr G. A. Lewin) had no difficulty in attending to the convenience of electors. The voting continued steadily throughout the day after a short-lived busy period when the booths were first opened, and there, was nothing approaching a rush in any of the polling places until after o o clock, when the city booths experienced a fairly strenuous hour. The task set the elector on this occasion was no easy one, as he was required to approve of the candidature of 25 citizens in the four contests—those for the mayoralty, the City Council, the Hospital Board, and the Harbour Board. The total number of names placed before him on his four ballot papers was 63. In 1927 there was no mayoral election, Mr W. B. Taverner having been returned unopposed, and there were only 28 aspirants to seats on the City Council.' It is six years since a vote was taken to decide who should be the chief magistrate of the city, and oh that occasion Mr H. L, Tapley assumed office for the first time, being re-elected unopposed for a second term in 1925. The total number of votes recorded in the mayoral contest yesterday indicates with fairly reliable accuracy the volume of the polling in respect to the four issues placed before the electors. Of an electoral roll of 20,505, only 15,796 citizens voted—scarcely more than 50 per cent The effectiveness of the'general arrangements for the poll was demonstrated in ' the evening when the count in the mayoral election was taken. Though the booths did not close until 7 p.m., there were sufficient returns in the hands of Mr Lewin at the Town Hall before 8 p.m. to Indicate that Mr Black would head the poll. One hour after the polling ceased there were only three returns to come. Mr' Black then had a majority of 800, of which he would not have been robbed entirely even had every ballotpaper in the three outstanding booths gone against him. At 8.50 the final figures were available, and a few minutes later the result was announced to a crowd of from 200 to 300 which had assembled, in spite of the rain, in front of the Town Hall. Mr Black secured*a majority in practically every booth, the only notable exceptions being George Street Hall and the Knox Church Sunday School Hall, in the latter of which Mr Hayward polled over 200 votes more than he did. It was apparent when only about half of the results had been received that Mr Black would top the poll and that Mr M‘Donald would be at the bottom. While the last few results were trickling in the interim figures were communicated to Station 4YA, whence they were broadcast. When it was announced that Mr Black had been returned by a majority of 909 this fact, together with the subsequent speeches by the various candidates, was also broadcast by the local station. . , It was a very amiable and manageable crowd that listened to the announcement of the result in the Octagon, and the cheers and applause that greeted each of the speakers were very halfhearted. The dismal weather conditions may have had some effect on public enthusiasm, but it is far more likely that there was too great a division of opinion and sympathy in so small an assemblage. Mr Black was subjected to some ironic comment, particularly when he assured his hearers that he was as much the representative of the workers as Mr .* nes was, but nobody seemed disposed to indulge the art of heckling in the fashion that was so common in “ the good old days.” In the contest for seats on the City Council four new members were elected, two of whom (Messrs Tapley and Marlow) have had previous experience on that body. Mr David Larnach, one of the three retiring councillors whose names are not included in the Electoral Association's ticket was defeated, while a second, Mr W. Begg, was twelfth on the list, securing the last seat by . a majority of nearly 300 over Mr Larnach. All the members of the previous Hos-