THE MAYORALTY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16591, 13 November 1919, Page 2

THE MAYORALTY.

MR. JAS CLARKE ELECTED. BY A MAJORITY OF 273. DISAPPOINTING POLL. The election for the Mayoralty of New Plymouth which p'ositiou has been rendered vacant by tne resignation of Mr. C. H. Burgess, took place on Wednesday and the polling resulted in MrJ. Clarke being returned by a majority of 272 votes. The contest aroused very little interest and the_poll was a disappointing one, only IfSs burgesses out of a total of 4250 on the roll showing sufficient interest in the affairs of tbe borough to record their votes. Mr. R. Day was returning officer and is to be complimented on the completeness of his arrangements, whilst his staff of deputies and poll clerks all did their work expeditiously. The final result for instance had been announced and the candidates had made their speeches of thanks before 8 o’clock. In selecting his deputy officers, Mr. Day gave preference to returned soldiers and several of these accepted positions. Quite a number of people went along to the different booths to record their votes but found that their names were not on the roll. The results were announced from the principal booth, Whiteley Sunday School, and the first few returns gave Mr. Blanchard the lead, the returns including those of St. Aubyn, where Mr. Blanchard polled 153 votes to Mr. Clarke’s 44, but the position was reversed when the figures for the central booth were displayed, and Mr. Clarke obtained majorities at all the others with the exception of Moturoa. Following are the details:—

Majority for Mr. Clarke 272. A fair crowd of people had assembled in the vicinity of the booth and after Mr. Day had announced the final figures there was a call for a speech from Mr. Clarke. He thanked the electors for having returned him at the head of the poll and for tha confidence they had shown in him and the Borough Council. It had, he said, been more than a contest for the Mayoralty, it had also been a question as to the council’s policy. He expressed the hope that ho would have the whole-hearted support of the people now that he had been elected in pushing New Plymouth along. The town was on the eve of great development and if all did their part remarkable progress, would he was sure, ha made during* the > next few years. He expressed his disappointment at the small poll and said that doctors should take a greater interest in the affairs of the community. They should put more “ginger” into things, and in this connection he hoped te see the young men of the town taking a more active interest in municipal affairs. He again thanked the electors for the confidence they had shown in him and expressed the hope that at the end of his term of office they would be able to say their confidence had not been misplaced. Mr. Blanchard also thanked his supporters and trusted that the new Mayor would receive. the hearty co-operation and support of the people. Referring to the small poll he said that when people were eligible to vote they should be compelled to exercise their privilege. At his call cheers were given for Mr. Clarke, who in turn called for cheers for his opponent . At V -■ election in April last the voting was; C. H. Burgess 1558, G. EBlanchard 489.

Blanchard. Clarke. Inf. Fitzroy .... 62 66 1 Crocker’s Store 126 164 ' 8 Whiteley . 215 476 8 Devon St. 1 West 75 96 0 St. Aubyn . 153 44 3 Moturoa . 28 19 0 Westown . 4 28 0 Frankleigh 4 19 0 Vogeltown 11 28 0 668 -940 20