MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume LV, Issue 6698, 27 April 1905, Page 2

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

HAMILTON,

Yesterday was the day for holding municipal elections throughout the colony. The election of Borough Councillors at Hamilton was attended with a good deal of interest, not to say exc tement. Two "tickets" were formed, the names on one being those of Messrs C. J. AV. Barton, Isaao Coates, W. H. Knock, G. S. Pearson, J. H. Taylor, H. E. Tristram and G. Stone, while the others compiised Dr. Brewis and Messrs W. C. Davis, G. Edgecuinbe, J. W. Hardley, H. H. Howden, C. L. MacDiarmid and J. A. Young. Electioneer, ing was carried out in an unusually systematic and vigorous manner. Carriages were plying all day, being particularly busy in the afternoon when the feminine vote was largely in evidence. Aspirants for civic distiiction were to be seen outside the polling booths standing patiently beside perambulators or nursing babies, while the ;j hands which usually rock the cradle and rule the world were busy doing their civic duty within. Mr W. I. Conradi, Town Clerk and Returning Officer, was in charge of the polling station at the Borough Chambers, Hamilton West, and was assisted by Mr Newson Sheppard, while Mr A. J. Smith conducted the poll at the Waikato County Chambers, Hamilton East, with the assistance of Mr A. G. Tibbutt. The result was announced at the Borough Chambers at half-past nine by the Eeturning Officer. The polling was as follows:—■

The first uine on the above list were declared elected. Messrs Stone and Howden having polled equally, the Returning Officer cast lots, in accordance with the Act, the result being as above. About 250 persons had collected in the street to hear the result of the poll, which was received with cheers. As many of the successful candidates as were present made short speeches thanking the electors. Mr J. S. Bond also expressed his thanks for his unopposed election aa Mayor and thanked the burgesses for electing such excellent colleagues, with whose assistance he felt sure his term of office would be productive of good to the Borough. Cheers for the Returning Officer were given on the initiative of Mr Davis. There are 832 persons on the burgesses' roll, and 557 voted (West 381, East 176.) Considering the Urge number of absentees and the prevalence of siokness in the town, these figures must be regarded as very satisfactory. CAMBRIDGE.

The municipal election yesterday was the most exciting known in the history of the town, and as will be seen by the returns, it resulted in a marked change of the personnel of the local governing body. The town was alive all day with voters, both parties exerting all their energies and influence to secure the return of their candidates. Notwithstanding the bitterness introduced into the campaign in its different stages, the utmost good feeling was displayed during the conduct of the poll, nothing uuseemingly occuring. The election for the Mayoral chair was between Mr Thos. Wells (the present occupant) and Mr W. F. Buckland. The result was announced at 8.30, a wild demonstration following the announcement that Mr Buckland had unseated Mr Wells by the narrow majority of five votes. Mr Wells thanked those who had voted for him, and said his opponents had rendered him a signal service, as he would now be able to devote the time to his own business that he had previously given to the service of the borough. Mr Wells, speaking under great emotion, said that day's proceedings marked his adieu to public life. Mr Buckland also modestly and briefly thanked the electors for the honour conferred upon him and said he would devote all the time he possibly oould to borough matters and especially in pushing on the bridge. At 10.30, the result of the Council election was announced. There were 18 candidates, 11 pledged to a policy progressive reform, and seven running in support of the old Council's policy. Two of the former (both sitting Crs.)were returned at the head of the poll, closely followed Mr Stone, a gentleman who has not hitherto taken any prominent part in public affairs. Counting the successful Mayoral candidate, the parties are equal numerically. The result was greeted with much enthusiasm, and it is conceded on all sides that an excellent body of men have been chosen to administer the affairs of the borough, The voting was as under

It will be seen from the figures in the Mayoral contest that 398 burgesses voted. The total on the roll was 544. Messrs Thos. Hartly and E. Veale were the returning officers, and were assisted by a competent stall of clerks and scrutineers.

i\L\ YORAL ELECTIONS ELSEWHERE. The results of mayoral elections elsewhere have reached us by Press Association wire as follows Auckland.—Myers 511)3, McLeod 3541, Julian 627. Parnell.—John Fitt, Waihi.—Thomas Gilmour. Thames.—Burns 497, F. Trembath 435. Gisborne.—John Townley was re-elected and defeated W. D. Lysnur by 36 votes. Hastings.—W. J. Dennett. Hawera.—B. C. Robbins (re-elected). Masterton.—J. A. Kenall. Carterton.—Brown. Palmerston North.—Maurice Cohen. Blenheim.—Edward H. Penny. Greymouth.—Petrie (re-elected), Nelson.—Henry Baigent. Oamaru.—R. Milligan. Roslyn.- Washer, West Harbour (Dunedin)—Larnish. Mornington.—Henderson. Wellington.—Hon. T. W. Hislop 3060, Barber 2375, Devine 1725, Luke 1456, Wardell 658, Smith 433. Karori.—A. C. Pearce (re-elected). Petone.-T. W. McDonald. Whangarei.—Harry Weever. Invercargill.—Scandrett (re-elected). Onehunga.—Gordon 498,R0we 408 Devonport.—E. W. Alißon 716, J. Dunning 307. Birkenheud. J. H. Witheford, unopposed.

West. East. Total. W. C. Davis 286 49 335 J. W. Hard ley ... 288 39 327 C. J. W. Barton ... 173 135 308 I. Coates 162 150 302 G. Edgecumbe 25-i 45 301 J. A. Young 273 19 292 A. S. Brewis 249 23 272 C. L. MacDiarmid... 232 23 255 G. Stone 107 137 244 H. H. Howden 224 20 244 G. S.Pearson ... 87 136 223 H. E. Tristram 57 148 205 W. H. Knock... 58 140 198 J. H. Taylor ... 58 137 195 J. Bettley ... 149 28 177 D. Salmon 88 14 102 Informal votes 5 3 8

MAYORALTY. W. F. Buckland 198 Thos. Wells 193 Informal 7 COUNCIL J. Ferguson 255 E. J. Wilkinson 233 A. F. Stone 210 J. Hally 20'J G. W. Venables 208 G.E.Clark 190 R. Davies 172 F. O'Toole 171 G. Dickinson 154 T. F. Richards 152 C. Boyce 145 S. Fletcher 141 E. B. Hill 123 J. R. S. Richardson 107 B. Morse , 97 H.Vandyke 92 H. Bell 87 C. W. Arnold ti(i Informal 12