MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10106, 18 March 1911, Page 8

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

ACTIVITY AMONGST CANDIDATES.

PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE CONTESTS. The citizens of Christchurcli are taking more interest in the coming municipal contests than they have taken in municipal events for many years. The feeling in this respect is represented by the large number of candidates who will come forward. As far as the signs show at present, there will be keen contests in all the wards. The Municipal Representation Committee is largely responsible for the increased interest. The committee was brought into being at the Trades Hall, and it has. been at work for some months attending to the candidature of the representatives of Labour. Many canvassers are employed enrolling electors, and the largest "poll" on record is expected. The main municipal roll has closed with 17,492 names. Since the closing of that roll, on February 15, more than 4000 claims have been made for enrolment on the supplementary roll. That roll will be closed on March 28, which will be absolutely tho last day on which the names of voters can be placed on the rolls for this year's elections. The accountants I who are compiling the roll at the City Council Chambers are having an exceptionally busy time, on account of large numbers of duplications, caused in many instances, ib is thought, by a multiplicity of canvassers. In other cases, tradesmen who have shops in the central , ward and residences in the suburbs sometimes claim to be enrolled on two rolls, while their rights extend to only one roll. > Besides the contests for seats on the City Council, there will be the contest for the Mayoralty, which, also,, is exciting unusual interest. Up to the present time, Dr lhacker, Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P., and Mr C. Allison, the present Mayor, are the only candidates in the field. Less interest is taken in the election of members of the Lyttelton Harbour Board under its new constitution, but in that direction also there are indications of a " citizens' awakening." All the elections—for the Mayoralty, * the City Council and the Harbour Board — will be held on April 26, a Wednesday, which .should be a notable day in municipal affaire. In all the contests the proposal to construct a canal will be a prominent. item, and several municipal candidates intend to urge that the work of harnessing Lake Coleridge should be pushed on as quickly as possible. Some of the canvassers who have gone out into the highways and the byways, with the best of intentions, seem to be creating a good deal of confusion. The fact that the municipal elections this year, for the first time, will be held practically on the parliamentary franchise, has led to a belief that the parliamentary roll will be used, and that persons who voted at the last parliamentary election will be sure to find their names safely printed on the municipal rolh This is not correct. As a matter of fact, the parliamentary roll will take no part whatever in the elections next month. Theoretically, persons who voted at the last municipal elections will have their names on the present municipal rolls, but the re-numbering of the streets has led to some complications, and errors are always liable to be made, and therefore all electors who wish to record their votes should be sure, by personal application at the Council Chambers before March 28, that they are properly enrolled. Persons who have never been enrolled on the municipal roll before must make their applications on.special forms supplied by the City Council's officers. The residential qualification is on© year's residence in the dominion and three months' residence in the ward in which it is intended to vote. The applicant, of course, must be over twenty-one years of age.

A meeting of the supporters of Mr Edward Smith, a candidate for Linwood Ward in the City Council, was held in the Social Hall, Leyden Street, last night, Mr G. Capper presiding. Mr Smith briefly addressed the meeting, and urged the necessity for a fire brigade station in North Linwood. A resolution was carried expressing the opinion that Mr Smith was a suitable candidate for Linwood Ward, and those present formed themselves- into a committee to secure his return. Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P., who is contesting the Mayoral election, will address the electors of Greater Christchurch in the King's Theatre, Gloucester. Street, on Thursday evening at eight o'clo3k.

A meeting of Dr Thacker's Riohmond ward committee was held last evening, Mr John Hughes presiding. Enthusiastic support or Dr Thacker's candidature for the _ Mayoralty of Christchurch was promised, and a large amount of organising work was accomplished.