NEW MAYOR FOR GORE

Southland Times, Issue 24438, 19 May 1941, Page 8

NEW MAYOR FOR GORE

Mr W. D. Shelton Elected

A new Mayor was elected at Gore on Saturday when Mr W. D. Shelton defeated Messrs A. T. Newman, who has held the position for the last 10 years, and D. McDougall, in a triangular contest by a handsome majority. Mr Shelton polled 812 votes, Mr Newman 471 and Mr McDougall 133, the majority in favour of Mr Shelton being 341. In the contest for the council six new councillors were elected, the other six seats being filled by the six members of the previous council, who were again candidates. Mr P. T. R. Mallon topped the poll with 1217 votes, Mr E. G. Wallace being next with 1213. These two councillors were in first and second positions last election, Mr Wallace on that occasion being top of the poll. Eight hundred and seventy-four ratepayers voted on the baths loan proposal, which was carried by a majority of 93. At the last election there was only one issue to decide at Gore—the Borough Council —but on Saturday, as the electors were called upon to vote for the mayoralty, the council, the Gore and Mataura representative on the Bluff Harbour Board, the Gore, Mataura, Wyndham and Lumsden representative on the Southland Hospital Board and the baths proposal, it was expected that a much bigger percentage of the electors than usual would exercise their right to vote. It was rather surprising therefore to find that the number of electors ihat voted was smaller than in 1938. However, the cold, wet weather no doubt prevented a big number from voting. RESULTS ANNOUNCED The result of the mayoralty was announced by the returning officer (Mr D. Harvey) at 6.30 o’clock and the results of the other contests and the baths loan proposal were announced about 8.30 o’clock.

The newly-elected Mayor (Mr Shelton) thanked all electors who had voted for him and assured the ratepayers that he would do his best, with the aid of the council, to look after the interests of the town and district. Mr Shelton congratulated the town of Gore and district for : ts wonderful war effort and he asked for a continuance of that effort.

Mr Newman congratulated Mr Shelton on his good win and thanked all those who had voted for him in past years. After 10 years of unbroken service his defeat was not unexpected. During his terms of office he had not been spectaculai - in anything he had done, but he had tried to do his best for the borough. In Mr Shelton the ratepayers had a man worthy of the position and a man who had a good deal of experience in council work. Mr Newman congratulated the electors on their selection of a council. The councillors also thanked the electors for their support. Details are as follows:—

BOROUGH COUNCIL Elected

BATHS LOAN

MATAURA The Mayor of Mataura (Mr C. D. McConnell) was re-elected on Saturday, the other candidate, Mr J. Ingram, being defeated by a small margin. The poll for the council was topped by Mr S. J. L. McKelvie with 617 votes, Mr T. Richmond being next with 579. Seven hundred and ninety-one electors exercised their votes on the two issues and also for the representative on the Bluff Harbour Board and the Southland Hospital Board. The results were: — MAYORALTY

BOROUGH COUNCIL Elected

The Mayor thanked the electors for returning him. He said that it was his opinion that because of the war an election should never have been held. Mr Ingram was One of the “whitest” men in Southland and it had been a good clean contest. Mr Ingram also thanked the electors for their support and congratulated Mr McConnell on his win. The elected councillors also spoke.

MAYORALTY W. D. Shelton 812 A. T. Newman 471 D. McDougall 133 Informal 20

P. T. R. Mallon 1217 E. G. Wallace 1213 J. A. S. Aitken 1187 G. C. Hamilton 1154 A. V. Latty 1149 N. Robson 1142 J. S. Robertson 1139 H. McQuillan 1070 W. Carter 1049 L. R. McDonald 1037 E. R. Proctor 971 J. W. Cooper 862 Not Elected A. J. Cameron 717

For 474 Against 381 Informal 19 The loan was carried by a majority of 93 votes.

C. D. McConnell 424 J. Ingram 360 Informal 7 Majority for McConnell 64

S. J. L. McKelvie 617 T. Richmond 579 G. W. Folster 556 M. Walker 545 R. Hutton 525 E. A. Richmond 516 F. H. Bryant 512 J. P. McErlean 483 D. A. Bell 429 Not Elected A. Gourlay 412 J. K. McDonald 377 C. A. Thorn 368