HOSPITAL BOARD VACANCY

Southland Times, Issue 23773, 22 March 1939, Page 15

HOSPITAL BOARD VACANCY

Appointment Made By City Council PROTEST BY LABOUR PARTY (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 20. Following the death of Mrs Snow, the City Council recently appointed Cr Gaudin to fill the resulting vacancy on the Hospital Board. Today a deputation from the Labour Representation Committee waited on the Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) to protest against the action, which wks described as an injustice and unsportsmanlike. It was pointed out that the usual practice was to appoint the next on the list of unsuccessful candidates, whereas Cr Gaudin was not even a candidate at last election. The next three candidates were Labour nominees, of whom the first, Mr Holland, had withdrawn in favour of the second, Mrs Collins. The Mayor said that the law was that the City Council should elect a person within two months of a vacancy. Its action was free and unfettered, there being no stipulation about the next candidate on the list. It would be difficult to alter the position now, but if a requisition for a special meeting of the council were put in he would call one.

Notice of motion to call a special meeting of the council to rescind Mr Gaudin’s appointment and move for a by-election has been put in.