NEW HOSPITAL BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2749, 2 March 1910, Page 7

NEW HOSPITAL BOARD.

THE COMING- ELECTIONS

Much interest is being manifested in the coming. election in connection with the new Hospital Board, the date for which has been fixed by statute as March 16tli. Nominations close with Mr. H. M. Porter, the returning officer, on Tuesday, March Bth, but already a- number of gentlemen have signified their intention of seeking election. All ratepayers will have a vote.

The following is a- last of the names of those who, so. far, have been announced as candidates: Borough.—The Mayor (Mr. AY. D. Lvs-nar), Messrs F. Harris, G. Smith, G. E. Darton, C. F. Lewis, R. -Johnston, Dr. J. Clive Collins, and Rev. AY. Lamb.

Cook County. —Hon. Captain Tucker, M.L.C.. Messrs F. J. Lysnar, T. Holden, and A. F. Matthews. In addition to the above, Messrs J. R. Kirk, AY. Lissant Clayton, and A. Dewing are mentioned as probable candidates. The secretary of the Trades, and Labor Council -mentioned to a “Times representative that lie wished to remove an impression that tho Council purposed running candidates for the Board Under the impression that six seats would be available locally, the Trades and Labor Council, knowing of four candidates being already in the field, having views in accordance with their own, decided to nominate another two. Now. however, that it is found that only four local representatives are to be chosen, this step has been rendered unnecessary. Rev. AY. Lamb and Messrs C. F. Lewis and Robert Johnston, are the nominees of the Friendly Societies' Conference. No mention has yet been made as to probable candidates to represent the AYaikohu County, but it is understood that an election for that division will not be necessary. When informing a “Times” reporter yesterday of his determination to offer himself for election, the Hon. Captain Tucker expressed great surprise at- the manner in which the representation had been apportioned. He remarked that he had understood that representation was to bo on a basis of population and valuation, and that if such were the case, the Cook County was clearly entitled to greater representation .

Uuon inquiry being made it was ascertained that sub-section 2 of section 9 of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Ant of 1909 dealt with this phase as follows: The number of representatives of each .contributory district shall be such as is determined from time to time, in each case by the Governor, by Order-in-Council, having regard in such manner 1 as he thinks fit both to the relative populations of those districts, and also to the relative values of the rateable property in these districts.

According to the 1900 census the population ox the borough in round ,gures -is given as 7000, and that of the Cook and AYaikohu Counties as 7173. The present valuation of the borough on a rental basis is set down as £99.66-5; that of the Cook -County on capital values £3,299,000, with AYaikohu iust under £2,000,000. In conversation with'a “Times” representative on the s uhject of the election yesterday, Mr. C. F. Lewis, President of the Friendly -Societies’ Conference, expressed the opinion that the Friendly Societies of the Dominion ware really responsible for the change which had been brought about in the constitution of the Board. He recalled the fact that- a deputation from tho

local Conference laid ,the position before the Hon. It. McNab on the occasion of his visit to the district over two years ago. On that occasion representations were made to the Minister that the Board should be an elective one, and the members elected by democratic vote. Mr. McNab then, according to Mr. Lewis, expressed bis accordance with the views of the deputation, and promised to do all in his power to have their representations given effect to. He also said that lie realised that the Friendly .Societies were saving the State from a considerable amount of expenditure to which they would otherwise bo put. “Wo thus claim,” concluded Mr. Lewis, “that we, along with the other Friendly Societies of the Dominion, have been instrumental in bringing about a most desirable change.