TAIHAPE NEWS BOROUGH ELECTIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 November 1950, Page 2

TAIHAPE NEWS BOROUGH ELECTIONS

Approximately 776 votes were cast in the borough election at Taihape on Saturday. This total Includes nine declaration and and 46 postal votes. The results of the poll were announced shortly after 8 p.m. by the returning officer, Mr W. Hudson. The total votes cast in the Hospital Board election in this district was 857, including 137 from Mangaweka. There are approximately 1380 names on the Taihape borough roll, so that about 56 per cent, of the electors voted. A feature of the election was the performance of Mr S. S. Newson in topping the poll at his first attempt to gain municipal honours. Mr R. J. Wilkinson, another new candidate, also polled remarkably well. The five sitting members of the council who sought re-election were all returned—some with reduced majorities. It has been the custom latelv to elect as deputymayor fhe candidate who toopped the noil, but whether this practice will >e followed in the present case remains to be seen. The outgoing deputymayor is Cr. N. Ashenden. who has exnerience on his side, although he was 63 votes behind Mr Newson. After the election results had been posted outside the Town Hall some of the successful candidates addressed the electors and returned thanks for the support accorded them. The Mayor, Mr E. Loader, who was returned unopposed, congratulated the successful candidates for seats on the council and sympathised with those who were unsuccessful. To the latter he said: “Don’t be downhearted. I tried three times before being elected to the council. I was at last successful. If it took me six years to get on the council, it will take a lot longer than that to .get off.” (Laughter and applause). PERSONAL. Mr Roy Sinclair has accepted a clerical position with the Fleteher Construction Co. at Waiourq and leaves at an early date to take up his new duties.