MAYORAL ELECTIONS

Southland Times, Issue 17025, 25 April 1912, Page 6

MAYORAL ELECTIONS

MB SCANDRETT WINS. A MAJORITY OF 756. AN INTERESTING CONTEST. Throughout tire whole of yesterday interest ran high in connection with the Mayoral election and the prospects of both of tho candidates wore freoV discussed on the streets; where it was freely hinted that everything pointed to Cr. Bain having a commanding majority in his favour. This, however, was negatived when the official figures were announced from the steps of the Town Hal! by the returning officer, Air AA’alker, shortly after 8 p.m. The result was the election of Cr. Sc.andrett by a majority of 756 votes, and the polling was as follows :

Grand Total 1 203 1959 16 317S Following the announcement of tiie result the candidates addressed the large crowd of people who bad assembled to hear tho result. Cr. Scandrett said lie hardly knew how to thank them for having placed him in the position of Mayor of Greater Invercargill. lie had been connected witli the Council for a great many years and lie thought it would be nice, if such an expression could bo used, to bo Mayor for another term. If there was anything he could do for the welfare of trie town during the remaining years of his life lie would be glad to do it. Cr. Bain said he stood before them ns a defeated candidate, but he was not 'ashamed of being in ihat position. During the campaign lie laid to engage in a big battle with an old and experienced opponent. There laid, in spite of this, been no ill-feeling and he was of opinion that it had been fought out. on fair lines. AVhen one entered a contest of that nature they must be prepared to take a beating and lie had been sulTclcntly British to be prepared. It was the first time lie had been before them as a candidate for the Mayoralty, but they would probably hear of him in the future. The electors'had experience of Cr. ycandrett. hut they had not had this in li is case. It was one of their privileges to say who was to lie chief magistrate in the town and they had decided. He was quite satisfied to remain Cr. Bain and lie desired to thank those who had voted for him. He also de.sired to congratulate Cr. Scandrott on the position lie had attained. He might say that every Councillor would do his duty according to his lights. He thanked them most heartily, especially those who had worked and voted for him and he hoped that they would support him when next he came forward. He desired to move a hearty vote of thanks to the Returning Officer for the prompt manner in which he had brought out tho result. Cr. iScandrott seconded this motion, which was carried amid applause. Interviewed later in the evening, Cr. Scandrett said that a busy year awaited him. The tramways had to be completed to Invercargill South and to AVaiklwi. and it was necessary that they should bo completed as soon possible in order that they might earn sufficient to warrant the original outlay. A contract had been let for laying the water mains in the suburbs and this would mean considerable employment. Recently the ratepayers had sanctioned a system of sanitary drainage for the inner area, so that during tho next twelve months there would be considerable work for tho Council. All this work meant that there should be no unemployment in the district for the next two or three years. The number of people eligible to vote approximated 6900, and thus it will be seen that tho polling was comparatively heavy. The voting was inclined to be slow during the morning, but about 3 p.m. some of the booths assumed a busy aspect. At this hour large numbers of ladles commenced to present themselves at the various booths to record their, votes. Speaking to a “Times” reporter last evening the Alayor (Air OH) gave it as his opinion that, the polling had been very satisfactory. The installation ceremony will take place next AYodncsday evening.

v; -■ Jj c It X -O *5 r: £ S " c S. c tl o y £ Town Hall No. 1 1S2 2S2 — -1C) i Town Hull Xo. 2 15 { ;!-IH 5 200 Town I fall Xo. 2 12 2 220 1 r. r> •" Wesley Schoolroom [ 7 2 i r.r> — 221 Avcnal “iT i or. — 162 Gladstone <• 6 71 1 1 IS Xonh Invercargill 61 1 5 2 1 215 East Invercargill OS 102 2 262 Elies Road 2::o 15S r> 203 ilowmont Street 106 IS t i ' 201 Civile Street 7 5 2 13 — 2SS