LOCAL BODIES ELECTIONS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 28 April 1927, Page 7

LOCAL BODIES ELECTIONS.

YESTERDAY'S POLLING. RESULTS IN TIMARU. It had appeared as though comparatively little interest was being taken in tlio-election of members to local bodies in Timaru for the e'ections which were held yesterday—an opinion which was strengthened by the fact that only tlio Mayoral candidates took advantage of their opportunity to address the electors —but when the voting opened yesterday, the steady tide of voters indicated that “still waters run deep,” and that the elections were by no means to be allowed to pass oft without a solid expression ol public opinion. The poll opened at 0 a.m., and closed at 7 p.m. The returning officer (Mr 0. Maehattie) issued a printed form of instructions to Iris numerous poll clerks, who hail only to rcler to this for enlightenment oil any point. There were nineteen polling botiis, situated in various parts of tlie town and suburbs. Despite the advice, given more than once through the newspapers, telling electors to see that their names were on the roll, there were some who, cm going to vote, lound that their names were not on the roll. Jit tile case of those whose names had been inadvertently omitted, it was possible to vole by declaration, a special polling booth for such voters being provided opposite the General I’ost Office, in Sophia- Street. There were two candidates lor Mayoralty, 21 for flic Borough Council, tour for the Harbour Board, and four lor the Dower Board, three being wanted for each of the two latter, and twelve for the Borough Council. Supporters of the rival route,stunts for seats on the different, bodies worked quietly throughout the day, to ensure as big a poll as possible, but voters complained of the absence ol any < !h----cial advertisement yesterday morning, telling them where the booths were situated, and who the candidates were. Such an advertisement appeared on Saturday last, but it was considered that it should have hem published on the morning of the poll. Had it been published, it is probable, it was said, that more people would have exercised their right to vote. There was a good deal of speculation as to the results of the polling, and the official announcement was awaited with considerable interest last night. The weather throughout the day was cold, a keen wind prevailing. The first return was received at 7.18 p.m.. and the last as the clock was striking eight. At this time, Mr Wallace was attending a Masonic meeting, and the result was not announced until his return.

Shortly after seven o’clock, a crowd began to gather in the precincts of the Al.unicpal Chambers, front which progress results were announced Ly the returning officer (Air 0. Maehattie) before they were finally put up on the boards.

The crowd was an unusually quiet election gathering. The results were received very calmly, there being no display of enthusiasm until the Mayoral candidates gave their addresses

A short, wire’ess concert front flic New Zealand broadcasting stations proved interesting to the crowd in between announcements. It was per medium of this that the election results from Christchurch were received. Great enthusiasm greeted the result of Hie Christchurch Mayoralty, the cheering being very pronounced.

It was one o’clock before finality was reached, and by this lime, the crowd, aware that tlio result from the last booth could not affect the po’l, had left for the'r homes. Consequently, the candidates did not deliver any addresses. 'Fho results published below were Ilmse which were arrived at last night, but there will he a recount to-day. when the declaration votes wi’l also be counted.

MAYORALTY. The result of the Mayoral contest was that Mr Wallace was re-elected by 2359 votes, to Mr Angland’s 202.5. Details of the polling are as follows:

2 0 2 S 2 3 8 9 Majority for Wallace 3 61. BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Twelve Required.) A. L. Gee . . . . 3017 P. B. Foote . . . . 2 9 5 4 .1. Hutchison .. 2912 ■ M. Thompson .. 22 11 IT. A. Innes-.Tones . . 2 623 H. D. Preston .. 251 G A. Kennedy .. 24SS G. D. Virtue . . . . 242 S J. R. Hart . . . . 2283 13.I 3 . C. Vinnell . . 2109 T. W. Sattcrthwaite 2107 F. B. Hawkey .. 193 4 .T. A. Hay .. .. 1335 D. MeNab .. .. 1771 G. Benstead .. .. 1714 .1. F. Arnold . . . . 1643 F. Chittock .. .. 14 59 P. J. Kelly .. .. 1351 S. A. Odell .. .. 128 7 J. G. Leckie .. .. 5 02 W. J. Tutton .. 914 HARBOUR BOARD. G. T. Dawson . . 3 60 9 E. R. Isaac .. .. 3549 G. J. Wallace . . 319 0 J. G. Leckie . . . . 1494 The first three were elected. POWER BOARD. A. N. Oakey . . . . 3 3 05 R. A. Nicol .. .. 3004 IT. J. Mathers .. 2852 G. J. Wallace . . 2091 The first, three were elected. CANDIDATES’ ADDRESSES. Immediately the result of the Mayoral contest wan known, (here were calls for speeches by the candidates, and shortly after, Air Wa'lace and Mr Angland appeared on the balcony of t.lie Municipal Chambers. Mr Wallace sincerely thanked l the electors for again returning him. He congratulated his opponent on tile fair fight that he had to put up —there had been no personalities from his point ol : view. Mr Angland had put up a fair fight, anti had endeavoured to make good from his point of view, as ho (the speaker) had done. : Mr Wallace said lie had nothing to regret. The fact that his majority was . a small one' would 1 spur him on for flic future, knowing that nearly half the ratepayers had not shown much confidence in him. He hoped, 'however,, during

tii© next two years, assisted by the Council, to prove that lie could lead the town on to better tilings. Timaru was ono of the best towns in the Dominion, and he hoped to see it one of tho biggest. J t had a great future, and they'must govern it well to get tho best results. Mr Wallace said he hoped to prove that the confidence which had been shown in him was warranted He thanked tlioso who had iotod for linn, and assured them, as well as those who had not voted for him, that he would do his best in the interest of all classes. (Applause). Mr Angland also thanked the 2000 odd electors who had voted for him that day, and extended congratulations te his opponent on the clean, fight that he had put up. They had placed him practically on a level with Air Wallace. There had been no personalities on either side. They had certainly (might out tho financial position keenly, and it seemed to be the ease that a majority of about 000 electors was in favour of a continuance of the policy of spending. (Laughter). if that wa.s so, lie could not help it, and must bow to the will of the people. Air Angland thanked all his supporters, and particularly the president and the vice-president of the South Canterbury Lower Users"' Association for the great help they had given him. They had iiad a decent fight, and lie had no regrets. finally, Air Angland made reference to the election tactics of the evening paper, stating that it ought to treat the candidates fairly when it criticised them. When candidates gave the public their ideas, to tho best of their ability, the editor of a newspaper should offer helpful criticism, if he could; but when ho threw mud, it wa.s not calculated to encourage citizens to come forward and offer to help in the management of the town. (Hear, hear). Mr Angland again thanked all who had voted for him, and wished them good night. (Applause).

Dooth. *3 G £ bo s n 3 CO Priest and Iloldgates < 22a £ 29 2 Old Council Chambers 13 9 18 5 Meehan's B u i 1 d i n g s 8 3 9 9 Stafford St. South 71 71 Ci'. Latter & North Sts. 72 G9 Browne Street Hall 12.7 6 4 High Street 121 1 4 5 Kensington Hall . . 50 5 8 Soutli School G 5 10 9 Woodlands Road 8 0 IS 1 Ot.ipua Road . . 5 0 8 7 Church St. West 11.S 131 St. John’s, Wai-iti Rd 8 2 181 Sehvyn Street 5 9 41 Evans Street 7 3 0 4 Bay Hall 10 4 145 Chalmers Hall 1 5 3 107 Wesley I-Iali 9 4 116 Levels County 25 2 1S1