MUNICIPAL BY-ELECTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3322, 14 September 1911, Page 5

MUNICIPAL BY-ELECTION.

FAIRLY HEAVY POLLING.

MESSRS J. W. BRIGHT AND G. WILDISH RETURNED. WONG KING A GOOD LAST The by-electdon to fill the 1 two vacant seats on the Gisborne Borough Council, caused by the elevation of Or. W. Pettie to the Mayoral chair, and the resignation of Or. F. Harris, was held yesterday. That a good deal of interest was taken in the poll was proved by the large number of ratepayers who recorded their votes at the four polling booths. None of the seven candidates went out of tlieir way to provide conveyances to bring tlieir supporters to the poll, hut despite this fact the officers in charge of the booths were kept busy during the day. Though at no time was there anything in the way of congestion, the polling during the afternoon, particularly at the two main booths at Barlow’s motor garage in Lowe street, was heavy. Mr H. M. Porter, the returning officer, had all the arrangements working smoothly, and is to be complimented upon securing such a roomy and suitable building lor Nos. 1 and 2 booths. All the candidates, with the exception of Mr J. W. Bright, who was absent in Wellington, and Mr Wong King, who appeared sublimely indifferent as to the result, were present throughout the day, and took a keen interest in the proceedings, not a few gallantly offering to mind the babies while lady voters made their selections.

The run on the town booths was fairly heavy-after 5 o’clock, when the workers and artisans crowded inrt Belated ratepayers continued to straggle in until closing hour (7 p.m.), by which hour some 1900 had voted.

The returns were promptly to hand from the different booths, and shortly after 8 o’clock Mr H. M. Porter, at No. 1 booth, announced the results as follow :

The posting of the official returns was received with cheers, though the supporters of labor were disappointed that their nominees had not met with more support. The Speeches.

: the -Mayor (Mr „W. Pettie)7 addressed the large crowd which had! assembled, and announced that the election had resulted in the return of Messrs Bright and Wildish (applause). He stated 1 that he was pleased that the contest had been conducted with such good feeling. It was also’ a healthy sign of the interest which ,was being taken in municipal affairs that such a large number had recorded their votes, though with the large number on the borough roll it might reasonably have been expected that the polling would have been even heavier. The candidates had taken no pains to get their, supporters to the poll, and no pressure had been exercised in an endeavor to influence votes. This, he contended, was as it should be, and he would like to see all municipal elections conducted on the same lines. He was pleased to see that an old councillor in Mr J. W. Bright headed the poll. They all knew that when Mr Bright undertook a duty he always faithfully carried it through, and lie was certain that that gentleman would do good work on the Council. (A Voice: It is to be hoped so.) Mr Pettie went on to congratulate Mr Wildish on succeeding in attaining municipal honors at his first attempt. He felt sure that Mr Wildish, who had long been a good citizen and a prominent member of a, number of local institutions, would make a useful councillor, and help to carry on the important programme at present in hand. “You, in your wisdom,” proceeded the Mayor, “have decreed to-day that Mr Sheridan should not be elected, and I feel sure that- that . gentleman will bow to your decision with liis usual good humor. (Laughter, and a voice : He’ll never get there.) Continuing, Mr Pettie said that Messrs Coleman and Anderson were out to fight the battle of labor and judging by the support which liadi been accorded them they had no cause to be ashamed of the position they occupied bn the poll. They would no doubt come forward again, and probably in the end would achieve the, desired end. “Mr Simson is also a candidate who has had much municipal experience,” said the Mayor; “but apparently is not sufficiently well known or appreciated to secure your suffrages.” The Mayor then returned thanks to the ratepayers on Mr Bright’s behalf. That gentleman, he . stated, would feel very pleased and proud when be heard that they had done him the honor of returning him at the head of the poll in his absence. Mr Pettie then invited the candidates to address those present. A Voice: Where’s Wong King? Mr Wildish, who was received with applause, sincerely thanked the ratepayers for having returned him on his maiden bid for their suffrages. At the best he had only hoped to put up a good fight, but the Result had far exceeded his most sanguine expectations. The credit was not his, but was entirely due to his supporters. The fight had been a clean one, and lie did not know of one harsh word which had been uttered in connection with the contest. He asked the public not to expect too much of him. He was not a speaker, but could promise that any work that was to be done on the Council would tackle in a resolute manner. It at any time,’’ Mr Wildish concluded, ypu consider I am not doing my pait in your interests on the Council, you need only remind me of the fact &nd l I will pull out.” (Cheers.) Mr Coleman was the next speaker, and stated 1 that he was gratified to think that at his maiden effort lie had polled 600 votes. While he- was pleased for his own part, he was- sorry to think that Labor could only count upon something like a 600' vote in the Borough. He "hoped the time woxxld come when the workers would realise they had members of their own party who w’ere competent and capable to represent their interests on public bodies. He heartily congratulated Messrs Bright and Wildish on their return. “If on some future occasion,” conchided the speaker, “I am again made the nominee of the Labor party you will find me once more before you. (Applause.) Mr Anderson stated that it was his lot that night to once more stand before them as a defeated candidate. 1 am going to stay in Gisborne,” proceeded the speaker with deliberate emphasis “until I am returned to the Council; so those who are opposed to me might as well give in and make up their minds to the inevitable.” He was

sorry the workers had no direct representation on the Council, with ( tho exception of Cr. Darton ( Oh. ) and another. The workers wanted representation, and they were going to have it. The assistance of Labor members was wanted to help to steer the Council s barque through the troublous waters ahead. He sincerely thanked all those who had voted for labor that day Calls were then, made for Messrs Sheridan, Sirnson and Wong King, but neither of these candidates were forthcoming, and the gathering dispersed after giving three cheers for the successful candidates on the call of the Mayoi.

T-i oi .5 c3 O 6 & o V-l -1J O H Bright33S 322 178 107 945 Wildish 238 240 180 69 727 Sheridan 254 246 103 70 673 Coleman 144 160 211 69 584 Anderson 168 160 160 60 548 Simson 54 61 37 23 175 Wong King 38 45 37 14 134 Informal 11 13 3 1 28