THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Observer, Volume XXXVII, Issue 34, 28 April 1917, Page 17

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

ONE of the most gratifying features of the municipal election's is the comparative absence of a carping spirit. There is enough war in Europe to make war in small New Zealand electorates undesirable. In most cases there is a feeling that the men who have given their time and talents to municipalities for two years can be trusted to go on with the work they have begun. Councillors and local body members in many cases believe that Mayoral elections, are inexcusable if there is no urgent reason for a change. It was fitting that Mr Gunson sihould be unopposed for the Mayoralty of Auckland. Mr Henderson, returned unopposed to the Mayoralty of Devonport, is civic leader of a borough which does not invite great changes, for Mr Handley was undisturbed Mayor for very many years. Mr Henderson and his council have lately shaken up municipal matters a little. There has been some electioneering by councillors, and the old council is unlikely to go back in a body. 03 ® ® In, Mount Eden there arc two parties with distinct ideals, and consequently a Mayoral election. Mr It. D. Stewart has placed much matter before the ratepayers, and is credited with having a large following. Mr Oliver Nicholson, sitting Mayor, has also an extremely large following. Mi- Stewart may find less support than he anticipates .in his campaign for "no public works during the war." ...< ..■«.. • ®" ® The failing health of Mr McLean, Mayor of Mount Albert, is deeply regretted, and although a contest between new men was at first anticipated, Mr T. B. Clay was returned unopposed. It is considered a satisfactory position, as far as the ratepayers are concerned. @b &t> & It was anticipated that Mr Grimwade might be a rival of Mr Blomfield for the Mayoralty of Takapuna. Instead, however, the first Mayor was again returned without opposition. ® ® ® Harbour Board elections are of great importance in a port the size of Auckland. The chief feature of the past two years is the perfect lack of spectacle or noise in the administration of Mr H. D. Heather, chairman. The fact that no particularly acrimonious disputes or scandals or fights is the evidence that if things remained "as you were" the port wouldn't suffer. Mr J. H. Bradney is the only reason for an election. He will oppose the member sitting for Mount Eden (Mr W. E. Hutchison). Mr Bradney has Caught no yellowtails on bent nails as a preliminary to victory. At the moment of writing, Mr E. W. Alison, appointed by the Government, still holds a seat." It is thought unr likely, that the Government would disturb the arrangement—but you never know. % & % Even the Hospital Board almost desires to preserve the status quo, although three gentlemen eager to enter public life have made, elections necessary to fill city seats. Dr. J. 0. Pabst, the eye-specialist, who has knowledge of past hospital squaihbles, is one of the new candidates. Mr J. H. Hosking, solicitor, is again a trier, and Mr F. W. Brinsden hopes to depose a sitting member. It is unlikely that the constitution of the Board will be seriously altered, except by the addition of one of the three new candidates.

PARS ABOUT CANDIDATES.

One of the new candidates is Mr H. B. Webster, residing for several years in Clifton Road, who, we understand, is a retired farmer from Taranaki with wide experience in local government affairs. If elected to the new Council he would bring that sound judgment and experience which is so much required at the present time. & ® ® The habitual Mayor of Onehunga (Mi 1 J. Rowe) is leaving it to Messrs E. Sutherland, T. 0. Davis and J. .J. Boyd. Onehunga may elect to keep the latter out of the chair.

Messrs T. B. Arthur, Ed. E. Grimwade and H. B. Webster have acute references to Takapuna affairsi in this issue. All three are practical men, and their joint statement is of interest. Mr Grimwade, who has been deputy-mayor of Takapuna, and the contentions are recognised as those he has consistently advocated. Mr Arthur is a member of the Harbour Board, and is again hoping to represent the "Wiaitemata county and Takapuna. Borough on that body. Mr Webster, a signatory to the considerations of these three gentlemen and six other reliable men who are standing for Takapuna, is a man of high principle and most practical. &> © ® " Northcote places Mr J. B. Tonar in the chair without opposition. There are seventeen nominations for the nine seats on the Council. There seems to be some, division of opinion in Northcote.

Mr A. J. Entrican, deputy-may or, has been something more than a deputy during the past two years. Mr Gunson's time has been taken up with assiduous and skilful war work. Mr Entrican has cheerfully undertaken Council and other duties with characteristic skill. No better man could be found to occupy the position, and it is good that his services are again available. © <& <& Mr S. M. Moore-Jones, a present member of the City Council, is again seeking re-election. His work during his term of office has heen sound, progressive, and entirely impartial. As a member of one of the most important committees of the Council, the Public Services, he has done good work. This committee controls large and important civic interests, such as water, electricity, fisheries, trams, abattoirs', etc. Previous to being selected, a city representative, Mr MooreJones was a very live member on

the Board of the now merged district of Remuera, where he laboured hard for his district. His public service has been clean, strong and fearless. Mr Moore's knowledge of finance makes him valuable. He will probably go back. © tig> ® Councillor Ellen Melville is an Aucklander by birth. She was educated at a State school, Auckland Grammar • School, and the New Zealand University. She had a legal training in the office, of Messrs Devore and Martin, and has been practising as a solicitor for seven years. We believe she is the only woman in New Zealand conducting an independent practice as a solicitor. She served on the City Council for four years, and is the only woman in New Zealand holding a seat on /a city council. She works . in absolute harmony with other councillors. Owing to her business training she is able to meet

them on their own ground in the discussion of business propositions, etc.,.in council affairs. It was. often said that women would talk too much on public bodies. It is a well known fact that Miss Melville talks less than almost any other councillor on council nights when the Press is. present. She is a member of the Legal and Finance Committee, the Library Committee, and the special committee set up last year in connection with the reorganisation of the staff. She has not missed a general meeting of council during

four years of office. She takes a leading part in most of the women's forward movements in Auckland, and is looked upon by women as one of the representative women of the city. © © © Newmarket Jponsiders the situation satisfactory, Mr C. Leek, a councillor, being returned unopposed, together with the council. Newmarket is municipally alert, and most progressive. . * #> «® . At Birkenhead, Mr J. P. McPhail, sitting mayor, will still sit. There are nine seats, and ten candidates for the Council. <g> ■ © © Mr W. E. Hutchison is again standing for a seat on the Harbour Board, and as Mr Bradney is opposing him as a Mount Eden rep. he must go to the poll. There seems to be no reason why Mr Hutchison should not be the Eden representative. He is a sound, sane man. ■$£ ©■ % One of the new aspirants for office in the Takapuna Council is Mr E. Davies, better known as "Dentist Davies." If smiles count on polling day the dentist should be there or thereabouts.

It would be rather interesting to trace the origin of the soldiers' game of "House," which has ,mch a vogue among our men in France, both at the base and "up the line." "House" makes no pretention to be other than a game of pure chance, and iais such it is recognised by the authorities, who, while rigorously suppressing all other forms of gambling, allow this outlet to the sporting proclivities of the Tommy who wishes to have a "flutter."'To set up a "House" of this nature does not require an elaborate outfit. A quantity of printed cards are procured on each of which appear 15 numbers between 1 and 90, no two cards bearing tbe same combination of figures. A bag of counters numbered from 1 to 90 i.s all that is necessary to complete the equipment. m• ' » Now for the game itself. The proprietor of the "House" proceeds to sell his cards to any number of -nen up to 25 or 30, who wish to buy a share in the "House." The price charged is usually five cents. Having disposed of his cards the banker or "House Proprietor," sits down and proceeds to fish out counters from his little bag, calling out the number on each as he draws it. If the number called appeals on any card, the owner strokes it out, the game being won by the man whose curd is first cleared of its numbers in rh;s way. The winner receives the stakes, minus a certain percentage which goes to the proprietor of the "House." <© © <© The McTavieh was not a mean mian. No;* 1 he just knew the value of threepence-halfpenny* ... So, when he developed a sore throat, he meditated fearfully upon the expenditure of a doctor's fee. As an alternative, he hung about for a day and a-half outside the local doctor's establishment.. he manfaged to catch ;'.,■'..; wi' ye the noo?" v-? < ; v "Oh, feyr, feyr!" '.. "Ah s'pdse ""'ye ? ve a deal, ovprescribin' tae dae fer eoolds an' sair throats'?" ''■■>■: ' "Ay!" "An' what dae ye gin'rally gie for a sail- throat?" "Na'ethin'," replied the.canny old doctor;. "I dinna. Avant ti ' sair throat," « ® ® Brown and Black were arguing at their club on the question as to who should, be the head of the house.—the man or the wonian. "I'm the breadwinner," Bljack said, firmly, "and therefore I rule in my house.". "Well/ said Brown, "before we Avere married, my wife and I made an agreement that I should make the ruling in all the major things, and she in all the minor ones." "And how has it worked?" Black enquired. Brown smiled wanly.. "So far," he replied, "no mjajor matters have,come up." ' ■ ® @> © "Here's an account of an accident,": read Mr Brown, "that happened ,at White's house. The new maid put some gunpowder in the fire, and she was blown through the roof." "Poor Mrs White!" sympathised Mrs Brown. "She's always having trouble with lier maids. That makes the fourth that's left her without asked impressively: "Yes, sir, but how are we to find the right people to pluck?" , St @ ® The man who had made a huge fortune was speaking a few words to a number of students at a business class. Of course, the main theme of his address was himself. "All my success in life, all my tremendous financial prestige," he said proudly; "I owe to one thing alone—pluck, pluck,"'pluck!" He mpde an impressive pause here, but the effect was ruined by one student, who giving notice!" •

"Ah," sighed the. convalescent soldier at a base ' "hospital," "' r wlnVb' wouldn't I give for one breath of my native air!" "Where d'you come from?" asked an ambulance driver. "Frae Aberdeen." "Aberdeen—eh? I came down from there before crossing. Wait half la jiff, and I'll see what I can do for you." A little later there was a noise of throbbing engines, and a powerful motor car drew up before the verandah where the soldiers were sitting. "Now, then," said the obliging driver, "bend down to this wheel, while I unscrew the of this back tyre. I pumped it up in Aberdeen before I left. Put yer mouth right over it, and take a good sup when I let hor go!"

It is unnecessary to say li>:it the object of the rumour mongers is to create, both in Japan and Mexico, the impression „that, although those nations may be unable to see it, beneath the surface the United States i.s their enemy. There are people in Mexico who have been influenced by this systematic propaganda ; the task of deceiving Japanese pullie opinion has been, more difficult, but not altogether fruitless. "What s"ems to be most needed in the Pnittd States, at the present time, in order that the evil of rumour may be minimized and counteract xl, is that a sharp rebuke should 1.0 administered to those found in the -ict of publishing, uttering, or spreading such false statements. —Boston ''Christian Science Monitor. ' 'Pile coal strike its not asfeyjjke: it is an act of rebellion. That .//'is proved besoW&.question by the terms of the various nfanifestoe.s issued by the rebels who are called "strikers. One of the reasons, given '■■■far"the act of rebellion is a determination not to ojjey the Military Service Act, and Another repudiates-*the judgment in Scrapie's tfise' of 'the .Opitrt of Appeal. Of these the first is' a refusal ■of obedience to a statute of the Realm, and the second is a refusal to abide by the decision of the Judiciary, which is tbe ultimate autholitv in the administration of the law.—Wellington , "Times." Are we still in the grandmotherly days when we sat, around Mrs Mother Country while the deputy of an under4%ij&tary to an Under-Secretary of State; aSked us where in- thunder we might lw all found on the map?— Wellington "Times."' . '•Rats desert'a doomed ship," and steadily the smaller Nations are leaving Germany to her fate, and siding with the Allies. The inference is obvious.—Carterton "News." » • * ■ At a time when Labour in New Zealand may strike a real 'blow for the Belgian workers by striking its best blow in the essential industries, is* it not pardonable to commend this Belgian appeal to earnest consideration ? Can it be denied that the cry from Belgium rings true?— Wellington "Post."