MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 19, 6 May 1908, Page 8

MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

WELLINGTON. Not for many years lias the contest for the Mayoralty of Wellington caused so much interest and excitement as that which was decided on Wednesday last. The sitting Mayor, Hon. T. W. Hislop, and an ex-Mayor, Mr. J. G. W. Aitken, M.P. for Wellington East, and conducted a vigorous campaign for five weeks. The total shows that 14.812 votes were east, as compared with 8600 last year. The result is as follows: — Hislop 9192 Aitken 5549 Majority for Hislop.... 3643 Mr. Hislop addressed some thousands of electors from the "Times” balcony, and then went to the Town Hall to addressa large crowd awaiting him there. MIRAMAR. The contest for the Miramar Mayoralty resulted as follows:—C. J. Crawford (retiring Mayor), 426 votes; E. Townsend, 303. DUNEDIN AND SUBURBS. The Mayoral election for the City resulted in the return of Councillor McDonald by a majority of 1,166 votes, the voting being:—Councillor McDonald, 3,544 votes; Councillor Walker, 2,378. ,

At North-East Valley, Green (retiring Mayor) was elected by a majority of 208 votes. At Mornington, Le Cren (retiring Mayor) was returned by a majority of 158. Brown, the retiring Mayor of Maori Hill, defeated Butterfred by 147 votes. The St. Kilda contest resulted in the election of McFarlane by a majority of 160 votes. CHRISTCHURCH. The Mayoral election resulted as follows: —Allison. 1,389 votes; Geo. Payling (present Mayor), 1,248. WAIHI. The Mayoral election resulted in John Newth (858) being returned, defeating the sitting Mayor (Thos. Gilnioitr) by 100 votes. WHANGAREI. Mr. Thomas McClintock was returned as Mayor of Whangarei by a majority of 65 over Mr. Donald W. Jack, the respective votes polled being 347 and 282. HAMAILTON. Bond, 376 votes; Barton 267. TAURANGA. There were two candidates, the Rev.

C. Jordan (the retiring Mayor), and Mr. J. Bull. The latter was returned by a majority of 42. GISBORNE. W. D. Lysnar, 1,136 votes; Dr. Williams, 808. NELSON. J. Piper (retiring Mayor), 1,024 votes; W. S. Hampson, 597. For a vacancy in the City Council W. K. Turner was elected, defeating G. Stewart. WESTPORT. J. H. Greenwood, 694 votes; A. C. Hansen, 564. MASTERTON. P. Rollings, 717 votes; J. M. Coradine (present Mayor), 706. (A by-election to fill a vacancy in the Council resulted in J. Hunter, 935 votes, being returned; E. E. McEwan, 471.) NEW PLYMOUTH.

Tisch, 709 votes; F. Bellfinger, 533; W- A. Collis, 141. PALMERSTON NORTH. Nash, 1,518 votes; Essex 1,232; Haydon, 102. TIMARU. Craigie (present Mayor), 715 votes; Hawkey, 295. A record poll. INVERCARGILL. Seandrett polled 1,049 votes; Macfarlane, 857. HAWERA. H. W. Sutton, 329 votes; J. Foy, 146. EKETAHUNA. Herbert (former Mayor), 141 votes; Haswell, 133 votes. STRATFORD. George Sangster, 381 votes; W. PKirkwood, 352. KUMARA. J. A. Murdoch, 174 votes; R. Rouse, 103.

ROSS. T. W. Bruce, 134 votes; J. Gummond, 80. EASTBROOK. John Jones (the present Mayor), 281 Votes; Robert Neilson, 195. HASTINGS. J. Thompson (retiring Mayor), 505 votes; L. W. Fowler, 392; A. A. George, 154; W. Lane, 91. BLENHEIM. A. McCallum (re-elected), 560 votes; E. 11. Penny, 336. GREYTOWN. D. P. Lo.isby, 223 votes; J. D. Hegarty, 122. GORE. A. A. Mac Gibbon, 396 votes; James Spedon, 335. MATAURA. J. Galt, 205 votes; Thos. McGibbon, 107. ELTHAM. The mayoral election resulted in the defeat of Mr. Taylor, who had been mayor since the borough was formed six ami ahalf years ago- The Jigmes were: 1. U. Stunners, 300; G. W- Taylor, 211.

MOTUEKA. Mr. F. W. Thorpe was re elected, defeating Mr. L. D. Easton by 170 to 154. Personal Items. His Excellency the Governor went to Lake Rangiriri for the opening of the shooting season on May Ist. Sir Joseph Ward has been slightly indisposed for several days, but has now recovered. Hon. J. McGowan, Minister for Mines and Justice, is visiting Auckland, Mercury Bay, Tairua and various places on the Coromandel Peninsula. Mr. J. T. G. Cox, head teacher of Taupiri School, has been chosen, out of forty applicants, for the position of inspector by the Auckland Board of Education. A movement is on foot in the lower end of the Wakatipu electorate in favour of Mr. Thos. Mackenzie contesting the seat in the Labour interest. Mr. G. M. Thomson, formerly science master in the High School, now consulting analytical chemist, contests Dunedin North seat in the Opposition interests. Mr’Cyril Ward, son of the Prime Minister,’who was for some time at Home in the service of the Manchester Ship Canal Company, has been appointed New Zealand representative of that company. Mr. Jas. Sira Evans, solicitor, Invercargill, has been raised to the magisterial bench, and at to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr Bush, fate S.M. at Thames. A special meeting of St. Andrew’s Church, Cambridge, was held on Tuesday afternoon, at which the Revd. Mr. Heron, of the Hutt, Wellington, was appointed curate for St. Andrew’s parish. It is authoritatively announced that Mr. J. Bennet, M.P., will not contest the Tuapeka seat at next election, his state of health making his participation in active politics again extremely improbable. Mr. Ropata te Ao, a leading Maori, is dead, and a great “tangi” over his body took place last week at Otaki, when about a thousand natives from all parts of the country assembled to join in the obsequies. Mr. W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, and Mr. W. H. Herries, a prominent member of the party, are now on a visit to Gisborne, where they purpose giving political addresses. According to the “Otago Daily Tinies,” Mr. R, M. Houston, who has represented the Bay of Islands in several successive Parliaments, has definitely broken from the Government, as the result of last year’s land legislation, and will not be a candidate at the forthcoming election. The death is announced of Mr Robert Fowlds, an elder brother of the Hon. George Fowlds, Minister for Education and Public Health. The deceased was a farmer at Minnesota, United States, where he took a prominent part in public movements. John Rainsley Jones, verger in St. Mary’s Church, for many years, and captain of the Timaru Fire Brigade for some year’s, died suddenly on April 30. He was engaged in his duties in the church when attacked by a fit. He rallied, but died while walking home. Mr. Jas. Mackenzie, who has occupied

the position of Commissioner of Crown Lands in Auckland for the past four years, has left to take up his new duties in a similar capacity at Wellington. Information has reached the Mines Department that Captain Richards, assistant inspector of mines, who is wellknown in Auckland mining circles, is lying seriously, ill at Kumara suffering from congestion of the lungs. His condition is giving rise to great anxiety on the part of his friends. Mr. John Hansson, a Swedish writer, who is visiting New Zealand and Australia with the object of studying social and economic questions for the information of the Gottenburg University, is at present in Auckland. Mr. C. W. Earle, editor of the “Dominion.” is suing the “New Zealand Times” Company' for £5Ol damages for alleged libel. Mr. E. D. Iloben. editor of the “Manawatu Times,” is being similarly sued by a resident of Palmerston North. Tn both eases the trouble arose over hotly-contested Mayoral elections. Mr. J. M. Johnston, of Palmerston N., whose health was- recently unsatisfactory, was sent to represent tlio Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Society

at Sydney. As the result of a spontaneous movement, the sum of £459 was raised in a few days, chiefly in the Manawatu, Rangitikei, and Parakaretu districts, and presented to Mr. Johnston in recognition of his valued services as treasurer of the society. Mr. Ivor Evans, general manager in the North Island for Messrs. Briscoe anil Co., Ltd l ., has been appointed managing director of the company, and leaves Auckland on the 11th inst. for Melbourne. Regret at his departure was expressed yesterday by the members of the Chamber of Commerce, of which body Mr. Evans has been a prominent member. Mr. Thomas Taylor Masefield, a wellknown citizen of Auckland, died on May Ist, at his residence, Ponsonby. He had been suffering for some time past, but declined to entirely lay up, and was, even as late as last Saturday, down at business. Mr. Masefield was born at Ellerton Hall, Newport, Shropshire, in 1842, and served an apprenticeship with Messrs. E. T. Wright and Son, as an engineer at the Gascote Ironworks, near Walsall, in Staffordshire. In 1862 he came to New Zealand in the ship “Avalanche,” and landed at Auckland. He has ever since been prominently identified with the growth of the City, and has taken a veryactive part in public affairs. - The Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Minister for Public Works, arrived in Rotorua by the express on Saturday evening, lie left Wellington on Thursday, and made an inspection of the North Island Main Trunk line. The object of the inspection is that he may be able to make a personal report to Parliament. The Minister left again by the express on Tuesday, en route for Wellington. Mr W. H. Hamer, Auckland Harbour Board Engineer, left on April 28th, on a visit to Canada, the United States, and Great Britain. Whilst in the British Isles, Mr Hamer will purchase on behalf of the Auckland Harbour Board machinery and appliances necessary for the con-

tinuation of the scheme for harbour improvements. The death occurred on April 28th, at the Wellington Hospital, of Mr. Orlando Wells, a well-known resident of Auckland, Mr. Wells, who was in the employ of Messrs. McLean Bros., went to Wellington three months ago tu supervise certain works there. He suffered from an attack of influenza, followed by typhoid fever, and took a turn for the worse on Sunday morning. Mr. Wells was a well-known athlete, andl represented Auckland in the football field in 1886, and between 1888-90, being also a member of the team which played against’ Great Britain in 1888. An esteemed resident of Raglan, Mr. W. Baker, died on Friday morning last. Mr. Baker came to the district to take over the Harbour View Hotel, which he held for some time, retiring to enter into business as a general provider, which business he was connected with

up to the time of his death. He also had the Te Akau Ferry Service for some time, and carried on a launch service with different parts of the harbour. He was also some years back proprietor of the Wade Hotel. After a recital of sacred music given in Christ Church, Ellerslie, the Rev. b. W. Walker, on behalf of the choir and congregation, presented the organist and choir-master, Mr. Bruce Lewis, with a handsome travelling rug, carriage clock, and chased silver fountain pen. Mr. Lewis expressed his great regret at having to sever bis connection with the Church, and suitably thanked the choir and congregation for their gifts. Mr. Lewis has left for New Plymouth. Prior to leaving Wellington for Auckland, Mr. J. Strauehon, Commissioner of Crown Lands, was presented with a valuable tea and coffee service by the officers, of the Land Office. Mr. Llewllyn Smith, chief draughtsman, made the presentation. Mr. Strauehon was also presented with another token of esteem at Hu' meeting of the Land Board, on behalf of the members. Mr. Reese, as senior member, presented the departing Commissioner with a travelling bag. A pioneer settler of South Canterbury died recently in Cumberland, England, in the person of Mr. Win. Postlethwaite. He came to New Zealand in 1847. purchased an estate at Geraldine, and took an active part with the late Mr. John Grigg and Mr. Thos. Brydono in establishing the frozen meat trade, and sent one of the first consignments of mutton from South Canterbury. lie was one of the original directors of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company. im I a promoter and direetoi o> ll <•< ante Farmers’

Co-operative Association at Timai’ii. and of the Geraldine dairy taerory. The deceased left New Zealand in 1891, and soon after purchased (lie old family seat in Cumberland, where he died. Mr. J. Bennet, M.P. lor Tuapeka. died on Sunday hist, aged 78. Deceased, who was a native of Forfarshire, Scotland, emigrated to Victoria in 1854. and nine years later came to New Zealand and took up a farm in Otago, which he has held ever since. He. was prominent in public affairs, having been a member of the Tuapeka County Council since its inception in the seventies. He first entered the House in 1899. when he defeated Messrs. Rawlings and Fraser. 1« 1902 he defeated Mr R. Gilkison by 61 votes, and was successful again over the same opponent, at last election by close on 100 votes. His demise will necessitate a by-election for Tuapeka. Mr. G. L. Greenwood, official asignee in bankruptcy at Christchurch, who has just retired on superannuation, is a very old colonist, having arrived at Nelson in 1843. He was for several years in the service of the Nelson Provincial Government. Afterwards he was appointed assistant clerk of the Magistrate’s Court at Oamaru. and later on ho became clerk of the Court at Gisborne, and thence was transferred to the District Court. His appointment -to the offices of sheriff and registrar of the Supreme Court followed, together with others of n minor character. He remained in Gisborne for 16 years, anil in September, 1891. he was transfered to Christchurch, where he has since resided. Colonel John M. Denny, of the wellknown Dumbarton shipbuilding firm, is now on a visit to New Zealand. He was entertained nt VVellingttm on Thursday last by the local branch of the

Australasian Institute id' Marine Engineers, and was presented with a gold badge of honorary membership. Among Hie speakers on the occasion were the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Hxriae and Labour, Mr. Geo. Fowlds. "mister of Education, and Mr. W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition. On Friday morning Colonel Denny anil Miss Denny left Wellington, accompanied by Mr. W. Kennedy, on a fortnight’s tour of the North Island, as the guests of the Union Steamship Company. Colonel Denny will probably return to Wellington and leave for th? Old County via Vancouver. There was a very large attendance at the Auckland Muiicipal Chambers on May 1, when an official farewell was given to Mr. S. Zini n, the young Auckland student who »a< smc.'-slul in carrying off the Rhodes scholarship, . nd leaves shortly for England. The Mayor, Mr. A. M. Myers, presided, anil there were also present members of the professorial staff, and a I rge number of students from the University and Grammar School The Mayor commenced by saying that the star of Auckland certainly seemed to

be in the ascendant just now. He had lately been taken to task for saying that wo had won all the championship shields that have been offered for competition throughout New Zealand, as it appeared that there was one that we somehow misled. Among these successes the winning of this year’s Rhodes* Scholarship by an Aucklander was in some respects peculiarly gratifying. Alder describing the life and aim of the Rhodes Scholar ships, congratulated Mr. Ziman on the distinction he had won. If his past achievements lie any criterion. they might anticipate with confidence that New Zealand would have reason to be proud of her representative; and he was sure all would join heartily with him in wishing Mr. Ziman a useful. honourable and successful career. Mr. Ziman. who was received with the warmest iinplause. said he keenly appreciated Hie honour which was being done. He realised that his attainment to the realised tint his attainment to the scholarship carried with it great responsibilities. hut he would bo always actuated with a desire to do credit to New Zealand, and to Auckland in particular. (Applause.) Accidents, Suicides, etc. \ Suva exchange reports that the chief steward of Messrs, tever Bros.’ steamer Hpolo, Mr. Hugh Will, commit ted suicide by hanging while the ship was in port there on blaster Sunday. A child two tears of age. named Dorothy Jackson, fell into a waterholo near her parent- residence at Miramar an< was

A shocking accident occurred at th? Wanganui railway on Thursday evening, April 30th, as the nine o’< lock tram was drawing into the railway station. A man named Albert Benefield, aged 31) years, and married, who owns a fruiterer’s shop in the Avenue, fell between two carriages. His left arm was cut off above the elbow ami his left k'g was mangled below the knee. The unfoitunate man was dragged about 17 yards and his limbs wore horribly mutilated. His head was also injured, and ho died shortly after midnight. Martin Andrew Bergmann, while working pn«hoard- the s.s. lonie at Lyttelton on e Saturday last, fell down one of the holds ami was killed. r Rasmussen Simonsen, an old resident of Havelock district, Marlborough, was killed on Saturday last by being run over by a timber waggon with which a trap he was driving eame in collision. A male patient at the Porirua Mental Hospital named Jeremiah Hou -hen, aged 4G, died oa Saturday motning through drinking a tobacco solution kept for treating plants. Another patient also drank some of the inse fi ide, but the medical stall' saved his life.