LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5941, 10 May 1944, Page 2

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

PROGRESSIVE PARTY NOMINEES GREATER INTEREST INDICATED Interest in the elections for the Te Awamutu Borough Council, to be held on Saturday, May 27, will be increased by the announcement that an organisation known as the Progressive Party has entered the lists with eight candidates. This action indicates a more healthy sense of interest in the affairs of the borough than was evidenced three years ago when 11 candidates were nominated for the eight seats. ‘the following are the names of those comprising the Progressive Party bracket: Mrs M. K. Henderson, housewife; Messrs R. K. Annibal, stationmaster; G. Brookes, E.P.S. official; R. Grace, Government representative on the Board; J. Mercep, business man; I. Roberts, engineer; F. V. Welham, road construction and concrete worker; J. O. Younie, registered plumber.

So far eighteen have signified their intention of seeking the approval of the electors as prospective councillors. For the Mayoralty only one definite candidate, Mr H. C. Rainey, has been announced. Seen yesterday by a Courier representative, Mr G. Spinley would not definitely commit himself, though the press man left him with the idea that his candidature was more than likely.

For the Power Board there were four candidates at the last election, and it is anticipated that the same number will stand this year. So far candidates named are Messrs R. F. Armstrong, V. A. De Coek (sitting member), Montefiore, and L. A. Johnston. Two candidates sought election as representative on the combined boroughs of Te Awamutu, Ngaruawahia and Huntly on the Waikato Hospital Board in 1941. This year the boundary representation has been altered, Te Awamutu Borough Council and the Leamington Town Board being grouped with the Waipa County, the latter being the principal body. The chairman of the Waipa County Council, Mr S. C. B. Macky, is one of the Council’s representatives on the Board. The matter is being complicated by the strike no rate campaign organised by the Farmers’ Union. The choice of definite candidates for representation on the Waipa County Council and for the Hospital Board is to be considered by the Farmers’ Union at a special meeting of their executive to-morrow.