VIEWS ROUND GISBORNE, THE PROSPEROUS EAST COAST TOWN WHICH IT IS HOPED WILL BE CONNECTED WITH AUCKLAND BY RAIL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 21, 25 May 1907, Page 10

VIEWS ROUND GISBORNE, THE PROSPEROUS EAST COAST TOWN WHICH IT IS HOPED WILL BE CONNECTED WITH AUCKLAND BY RAIL.

The successful candidate al the election t<» fill the vacancy in the House of Representatives. caused by the death of Mi. E. M. Smith. Mr Okey polled 1991 votes. Olher candidates were Mr. E. Dockrill (Government), who got 1627 votes, and Mr. \\ . G. Malone (Independent Liberal), for whom 1010 votes were cast. Mr. Okey has won the seat at the third time of asking, having been defeated at the two last elections. He is well known in New Plymouth, where he has resided all his life, having been born in Fra nkley-road half a century ago. He was educated in New Plymouth, and early in life took up land and went in for farming and stock-dealing, in which he is still engaged. He has taken an active interest in local politics, and is at present chairman of the Frankley Road Hoard, of which he has been a member for 23 years. For twelve years ho was a member of the Taranaki County Council. acting as chairman for nine years, and retiring in 1905. He has also been prominently identified with the Taranaki Agricultural Society, of which he is

an ex-president, and with the School and Licensing Committee. He founded the Frankley-road Dairy Company, and has been (hairman of directors since the coin pany commenced operations. At the last election the late Mr. E. M. Smith beat Mr. Okey by 1953 votes to 1717, the Government vote lieing split on that occasion also.

Pupil of Madame Marchesi, some time Prima Donna Royal Court Opera, Stuttgart, and Court Singer to H.M. the King of Wurtemberg. Fraulein Bouche has come out to New Zealand for her health, and is at present settled in Auckland. This portrait shows her as Elsa, in “Lohengrin.”

J. M. Collins, photo.