Matonians Go To The Polls On Monday To Elect New Councillor

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 November 1949, Page 3

Matonians Go To The Polls On Monday To Elect New Councillor

Two polling places have been provided for the Marton Borough Council by-election to be held on Monday. There are live candidates and the town clerk yesterday appealed to local residents to exercise tneii franchise. It was good to see such a number of candidates offering themselves for election, commented the Mayor, Mr T. E. Barton. It showed increasing interest in council affairs, he added. The amended borough electors' list contains 2417 names, an increase ot 340 since the last by-election was held 16 months ago when Mr A. S. Blackledge led the field of five candidates. Last year was the first borough council by-election for 12 years, The two polling places are at the council chambers and at the Railway Social Hall at Marton Junction, and I polling will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Explaining the system of voting yesterday, the returning officer, Mr C. C. McDonald, said that electors would be handed a ballot paper containing the names of the live candidates, and should place a cross in the square opposite the name of the candidate for whom they wished to vote. All voters must make a personal application to a polling booth—there is no provision for votes by absentees or invalid or sick persons, said Mr McDonald. This, lie applied to all iocal body elect *ons. Declaration votes may be cast by persons whose names are not on the district electoral roll but whose names are on the Rangitikei electoral roll and who have been residents of the borough lor three months. The vacancy an the council has been caused by the resignation of Mr A. S. Todd, who owing to pressure of work, is unable to carry out his council duties. There is a likelihood of a further vacancy in the council within the next few weeks as Cr. K. H. Fowler expects to leave Marton towards the end of the month to take up residence at Tauranga. The Candidates The candidates are:— Mr A. R. Charlton, a retired civil servant and formerly a stationmaster at Marton. He is at present employed as a clerk in a local merchant’s oilice and is secretary of the Marton Bowling Club. Mr G. H. Grantham is a garage proprietor. He arrived in Marton a little over two years ago and recently: set up business on Wellington Road. Mr George Ibbett is well known tor his activities with the Marton Chamber of Commerce. A returned serviceman with experience in the Pacific theatre with the Air Force, Mr Ibbett upon his discharge from the forces established a garage business in partnership with Mr V. Barnes. He is at present chairman oi the ambulance sub-committee of the Marton Junior Chamber of Commerce and was the prime mover in the provision of an ambulance in Marton to serve the lower end of the Rangitikei district. He is a former president of the Junior Chamber and a zone councillor. He is at present a director. He has served on the Marton R.S.A. executive and social committees. Mr G. Lewis has been a resident of the district for the past 65 years. Prior to retiring to Marton some years ago Mr Lewis was engaged in farming in the Greatford district. For 30 years he was a member of the Greatford School Committee. When he retired to Marton ne continued to take an active interest in education and was soon elected a member of the Marton Junction School Committee. He is at present chairman of that body, having helu the position for the past seven years. He is also a vice-president of the Marton Athletic Football Club and an officer ot Court Little John (A.0.F.). Mr W. Meads is a member of an old and highly respected Rangitikei family and has had considerable experience in local body work. For a number of years he was farming at Manunui, near Taumarunui, but some time ago sold his property to return to settle in Marton. He has been /( member of the Taumaranui Hospital Board, a member of the Taumarunui County Council, chairman of the Taumarunui Rabbit Board, chairman of the Taumarunui Rehabilitation Committee, and president of the Taumarunui R.S.A. He is a Justice of the Peace and a former Taumarunui and district coroner. NEED OF CONTEST BAND TO PRACTISE REGULARLY As it was the intention of the Marton Pipe Band to compete at the provincial contest at Masterton next February, the instructor, Mr E. C. Morgan (Wanganui) recommended to the annual meeting of the Marton Scottish Society on Thursday night that the playing personnel be interviewed as to their ability to attend the necessary marching and piping practices with a view to selecting the contest band. The minimum for the contest, said Mr Morgan, was eight pipers, two side drums and a bass drum. Having selected the band it would be necessary for every member to attend all practices. Discussing the band, Mr Morgan said it had practised regularly throughout the year ana while the attendance had not been the best on all occasions, there had been a steady improvement lately. At present there were 13 pipers and a full set of drummers and and another seven pipers were learning. Mr Morgan paid a tribute to the services rendered by Mr G. Price, lhe drum coach. The standard of the drum section was all that could be desired, ho said. Mr Morgan also referred to the keenness and enthusiasm displayed by the Drum-major (Mr G. Sutton) and congratulated him on the manner in which he had carried out his duties. Mr Morgan thanked the society for the goodwill extended to him, and the members of the band for their loyal support. Such conditions, said Mr Morgan, had indeed made his associations with Marton during the year very pleasant. FARMERS TO MEET COUNCILLORS AND CATCHMENT BOARD Convened by the Marlon branch oi Federated Farmers, a meeting is being held in the Marton Coronation Hall on Tuesday night, when ratepayers of the Rangitikei county will have an opportunity of discussing with councillors and officials of the Rangitikei Catchment Board such topics as administration, rating and roads. Ratepayers with any quo ies are asked to bring them along Ihn cor.wners are hopiri.r 1 vit as many ratepayers as possible v\il’ attend tne I I n-fpfniz.