LOCAL BODIES’ ELECTIONS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3817, 1 May 1913, Page 5

LOCAL BODIES’ ELECTIONS

LTjIcEWARM INTEREST DIS-

PLAYED

MR. KIRK MAYORAL

CONTEST.

l ONLY HALF THE ELECTORS ' RECORD THEIR VOTES.

interest was displayed m the local bodies’ elections yesterday. Though the morning was fine, the officers at the various booths had a somewhat easy time of it. The booths opened, at 9 o’clock, and Mr. H. M. Porter, the returning officer, as usual had all the arrangements most complete. Chief interest centred in the Mayoral election, and the supporters, of Mr Sheridan and Mr. Kirk worked hard and zealously in bringing their \ -adherents to the poll. Dr. Collins, 'the third candidate, did not have a regular committee working, though some of his supporters bestirred themselves on his behalf. — \

Motor cars and cabs darted hitherto and thither, .-while the humble buggies and gigs were also impressed into service. By 2 o’clock only 1200 people had recorded their votes, out of a total roll number of 4309. Towards 5 o’clock a rush to the booths set in, and there was congestion at No. 1 and No. 2 booths, which were situated in Miller’s Auction Mart, in Lowe Street, which delayed proceedings not a little. The time that voters were compelled" to wa'it in order to record their votes pointed to the fact that the time has urrived when the question of securing -feirgcv and better appointed booths should he considered. v. A good many people who had voted at the last election rvere bitterly disappointed yesterday at finding that their names were not oft the roll. The ■district roll, it will he remembered, was purged a short time hack, and the names must have been removed when this was being done. Speaking to the Mayor (Mr . W. Pettie) on this point- yesterday, his "Worship stated that- it was purely their own fault if any person’s name had been left off the roll, as the Borough Council had spent a considerable amount advertising the closing of both the main and supplementary rolls, and urging all burgesses to see that their names were thereon. Rain commenced to fall at 5.30, and intermittently until the hour of closing (7 o’clock), and no doubt prevented many who had left their visit to the last minute from recording their votes.

THE MAYORALTY.

A GOOD-NATURED CONTEST

MR. KIRK SECURES MAJORITY

of ns.

A. great deal of interest- centred in the contest for the Mayoralty,* for which tfio candidates were C'r J. Clive

Collins and Messrs J. 11. Kirk and J

s Sheridan. The contest was conducted in the best possible spirit, there‘being an entire absence of any bitterness or feeling of any kind. Messrs Kirk and Sheridan were assisted by strong committees who had motor ears and cabs busily employed in bringing the supporters or their respective candidates to the booths. To show the good feeling which prevailed. one of the motor- cars employed by Mr Sheridan’s committee broke down, and Mr Kirk at. once lent one of his cars to convey his opponent’s party to the booth. Mr-Sheridan’s chances, it was generally admitted, were affected by his absence in Sydney, but he had a strong band of supporters working zealously for him, who looked after- the abseirt candidate’s interests well. dire booths were as follows: I®* No. 1 Booth —Miller’s Auction Mart, T.owe Street. No. 2 Booth —Miller's Auction Mart, Lowe Street. No. 3 Booth—Whinray's Hall, Gladstone Road. No. 4 Booth —Next Church’s Tramway Store, Albert St., Newtown. No. i 5 Booth —Andrew’s Store, corner Ormond Road and Ballance Street, Whataupoko. No. 6 Booth —Between Freddy's Garage and Kaiti Bridge, Kaiti Esplanade.

The returns for the Mayoralty election came to hand promptly, the results being posted at 8.20. In the appended tables, showing the results .of the various elections, the names of the successful .cpndielates are printed in black type: —

THE BOROUGH COUNCIL. . .

RETIRING MEMBERS RETI'RXED

Interest ran high in the Borough Council election, and large numbers of people waited out until the “wee hours’’ of this morning, when the final count was made known. The ■Selection was conducted in a commendable spirit in all quarters, from what could be seen, and each, section of opinion waited eagerly for*-the closing figures. Mr George Smith topped the poll with a total of 1560 votes, and of the new blood—Messrs >l. E. Bright, H. E. Hill, and TV. G. Sherratt —the first named secured the most support, being actually second on the list-with 1467 votes to his credit. It will be seen that the whole of the retiring councillors who stood for re-election were sent back to the Council, while it will be noticed that Labor did not gain representation, although, Mr Coleman was fairly well up on the list with 709 votes. Following are thedetails:

The new Council will therefore be constituted as follows :—- Mayor: Mr J. R. Kirk.' Councillors: Geo. Smith, H. E. “Bright, J. C. Collins, H. E. Hill, J. Brown, G. Wildish, W. G. Slierratt, A. Wade, D. Hepburn.

HARBOR BOARD.

SITTING MEMBERS RETURNED

Five candidates stood for the four seats required to represent the Borough on the 'Harbor Board. These were Messrs J. Townley (chairman), J. Clive Collins, G. Smith, and J. Bl own (retiring members), and AV. A. O’Meara. The old members were returned, Mr J. Townley, the chairman, being returned at the head of the poll with 1817 votes, leading Mr Smith, who came second, by 108 votes. The voting was as follows :

Total 2182 1666 1685 356 764 989 7642 PAYEES OF DUES. CORSON 54 HARPER 22 Informal 1 Total 71

HOSPITAL BOARD.

OLD MEMBERS RETURNED

Eight candidates came forward for the four seats required to represent the Borough on the Cook Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Among these were two ladies, Mesdames Fox and Scott. The electors uinned their faith to the old candidates, Dr. Collins (who headed the poll by a good majority) and Messrs R. Johnston and J. Brown. Mr E. H. Mann was elected to till the vacancy caused by Mr W. Webb’s retirement: — The results of the voting were as under: —

2275 1?46 1750 565 803 1016 8055

RETURNING THANKS

SPEECHES BY THE CANDIDATES

After the figures fur the Mayoral election were to hand, the candidates addressed the fair.ly large crowd which had assembled from the “Herald” balcony.

The Mayor (Mr W. Pettie) was the first speaker. He intimated that all the returns for the Mayoral election had come to hand, and the numbers showed tjiat Mr J* R. Kirk was their new Mayoj-el&ct —(applause). He had to oft'crr-.Jits Jfiearty congratulations to the successful candidate. The position rtf Mayor was one which every citizen should be proud to hold. A pleasing/feature about the contest was that not a. trace of bitterness had been imparted into it. The burgesses had had three very good men to choose from. He wished to heartily congratulate Mr. Kirk, and hoped 'that his term of office would mark a year of progress. If the new Mayor was supported bv a good Council there was no reason why good work should not lie done during the coming year.

Mi - Kirk, who was received with applause, said: “Ladies and gentlemen, —I have to heartily thank you for the high compliment you have paid me to-day in placing me at the head of the poll, and electing me to the position of Chief Magistrate, the highest compliment in your power to bestow. It shall he mv endeavor to ‘live up to the esteem in which you hold me.” Proceeding, Mr Kirk said he had fought a few elections,' but had never engaged,in one which had been fought on such honorable lines. For the proud position he occupied that night he had to thank his committee, who had worked hard and zealously throughout. The fight had been conducted with the‘best of feeling. His opponents had taken no advantage of ids absence from the town, and he in his turn had not taken advantage of Mr. Sheridan's absence-in Sydney. He was well aware of the difficulties which had to be faced, and felt ificlined to send forth the appeal which China had made to the nations. He asked the ratepayers to bear with him for the first few months, and not to be impatient if they could not see anything good, they could rest assured that good work was being done. Ho could assure them that his administration was going to be no “one-man show” affair. Every man _on the Council would have to do his share, and if the citizens played their part lie thought they would be able to show satisfactory results during the coming year. “I once again sincerely thank you, ladies and gentlemen.” concluded the speaker, “for the high honor you have conferred upon me to-day”—(ap-plause). Hr Collins, on coming forward to speak, was received with loud and long-continued applause, and cries of “Good old Doctor I” The united voice of the people, he said, had deer cod that Mr. Kirk should be their

119 W Mayor, and it only remained for him to bow his head and acknowledge defeat. He had to heartily congratulate Mr Kirk, and hoped that the new Mayor would be able to lay down a definite policy and hold the Council. Though defeated, he. was by no means beaten —(applause). Any man, who was worth calling a man, was only defeated to renew the conflict at a later date. There was a great deal in the future of the Borough which called for consideration. The new Mayor would have the support of a new Council, and if he did not succeed the fault would lie with his own individuality. A Voice: “Your’e abosker!”

‘•Ladies and gentlemen,” continued the doctor, “Mr Paddy Malier says I’m ‘a bosker.’ Now, as everybody knows Mr Paddy Maher is an Irishman, and so am I. Everyone also should be aware that when anyone pulls down our national flag we stick it up again—(cheers). “Ladies and gentlemen,” concluded the speaker, “I have now to heartily, congratulate Mr Kirk on his success, and to bow my ‘head in subservience to your vote to-day.” Mr T. Oorson then came forward, and returned thanks on Mr Sheridan’s behalf. When Mr Sheridan returned in a few days’ time, he stated, ho would be found assisting IMr Kirk in every way possible for tSic good of .the borough—(applause). He then called for cheers for Mr Kirk, their new Mayor, which were heartily given. On the call of Mr Kirk, cheers were also given for Mr Sheridan. The finals returns were not to hand till 1 a.m., but a little knot of some 50 people were still waiting in the rain to see the end. A number of the candidates were present, and calls were made- for sp-c-cclies. Mr G. Smith, who topped the poll, said he wished to return his hearty thanks to the burgesses for the honor they had again done him. He would, as in the xiast, do his best in the interests of the borough. The coming year would bo devoted to fixing up the works which were at present in hand, and the next twelve months should see most of them completed. “As the morning is wearing on,” said Mr Smith, “I shall say no more now, but will say a good deal more for you at the'Council table” —(applause). Mr H. Bright said he wished to thank the burgesses very sincerely for the confidence they had done him, and he wished to take this liis first opportunity of congratulating Mr Kirk on 'his election to the Mayoral chair. Although lie had not been a ‘supporter of Mr Kirk’s, he would have his (the speaker’s) assistance in administering the affairs of the Borough to the best advantage. He had been in the district all his life, and was bound to Gisborne by sentiment and association. He would do his very best to deserve the confidence which had been reposed in him —(applause.). . Mr H. E. Hill, who was received with applause and cries of “Good old ’Juba!” said he had not canvassed for a single vote, and lie had therefore a) the more reason to thank them for returning him to a seat on the Council. r There was an old proverb, be statad. that “actions Speak louder than words,” and lie he hoped to,prove to them by lis actions on the Council that tlieir confidence in him had not been misplaced. Mr J. Brown said he had not asked for a vote, holding that if his actions in the past had pleased the burgesses they would again return him. He did not represent any section ot clique, but tried to do his best for the borough as a whole. The crowd were evidently out for a bit of fun by this time, and started singing “Put a bit of Powder on it, Father,” and “Good old Jimmy. ” r Messrs G. Wildish and A. Wade also briefly returned thanks. Mr T. G. Lawles said he had just been beaten for a place on the Council by Mr Hepburn, whom he had known for a 10112 time and had always found him a gentleman. In Mr Hepburn’s absence, he returned thanks for that gentleman’s return, and also thanked those who had voted for himDr Collins said he wished to thank., the burgesses for returning him to a seat 011 the Borough Council, Harbor Board, and Hospital Board. He regretted that a combination of circumstances had defeated him for the Mayoralty. “I am sorry,” said the Doctor, jocularly, “that our licensing laws compel us to close at 10 o’clock* otherwise' we could spend the remainder of the morning .very pleasantly. (Laughter.) At Dr Collins’ call, cheers were then o-iven for tlio dcfecitocl caiiclicliitres, and at 1.10 the little crowd of municipal enthusiasts stole away into the mists of the night.

HOW THE RETURNS CAME IN

THE INFORMAL VOTING

White the excitement of election day is proceeding and the public are waiting eagerly for results and commenting on the apparent slowness of the official machinery, people think not of the high speed at which the internal mechanism has to travel. A peep into the principal polling booth last evening would have dispelled any idea of waste time, for, from 7 p.m., the Returning Officer (Mr. H. M. Porter) and his numerous stafF of deputies were working at full pressure. It was a good feat to he able to announce the result of the Mayoralty by 8.20 p.m.. the sub-booths having sent their returns in with commendable alacritv. lii all, 2506 votes were cast on the Mayoralty issue, so that the count was accomplished fn really good time. Of the outside booths, West End was first to send in a completed card for the several 1 ©lections. The Council results were not announced until a later hour (12.40 a.m.), the main' booth returns being the last to complete the total. This fact is easily accountable for by the very large number of votes registered at Miller’s, and the task of counting ol papers, when nine candidates are to he selected from eighteen aspirants, is far from being a sinecure. As to the particulars of the voting, it was noticeable that there was a good deal of “plumping” on all the Borough issues, and especially as regards the Borough Council, while the majority appeared to select bunches of from four to five candidates'. It is remarkable in these days when educational facilities are so great that so many people are unable to appreciate the explicit instructions printed on every ballot paper, giving guidance as, to the method of voting. The informal voting was fairly high, and a big number of voters expressed themselves in suc’h a questionable. manner -it took some thought to decide whether the expression could be regarded as coming within the four corners of the law. The system, of course, is to pencil a plain cross opposite .the candidates , one wishes to vote for, but the Act allows to pass any paper which clearly indicates the voter’s intention. Thus, quite a. number of electors, who had voted for their fancy in the accepted stylo, were not satisfied with the cross, but returned to tbe orthodox system and negatived very decidedly those not worthy of a cross. These papers were valid, but others again, both scratched and crossed the names they apparently intended to support, so that the votes were relegated to the “informal” w.n.b. A good number voted for more than the necessary number of• candidates, while some awarded and afterwards stripped candidates of the perplexing cross. One voter branded a bungled attempt as a “mistake” arid re-voted in the margin, and this had to be put aside, while a few had remark's to make or autographs t-o add, so that their expressions, too, had to be

bereft of their meaning. . It was amusing in some cases to notice; ‘h&vvvoters indicated their antagonism to some candidates by destroying the paper containing tlip name', in addition to defacing t'lje print.

A j=L A o O c "o o O PQ K £5 M K 0? CO rO lO vr> a 6 6 6 6 6 6 & Si Si Si Si Si H KIRK, J. R. 250 211 216 43 92 148 960 COLLINS 237 173 212 55 94 74 845 SHEBIDAN 195 126 76 13 44 69 523 Informal 13 18 12 1 3 6 53 Totals 695 528 516 112 233 297 2381

A A A X! A r* o O o o o o P5 m M PQ Pi m to ' r ~* to ■*T to 6 6 6 6 a 65 *5 is hSMITH 456 336 342 60 155 201 1560 BRIGHT 445 328 296 52 145 201 1467 COLLINS 394 320 286 60 134 150 1344 HILL 416 315 266 43 126 171 1337 BROWN 366 318 276 44 127 163 1294 WILDISH 336 258 282 63 131 132 1202 SHERRATT 372 293 202 47 116 149 1179 WADE 337 254 238 44 113 137 1123 HEPBURN 281 201 217 62 94 110 965 LAWLESS 265 200 201 46 74 137 923 COLEMAN 165 125 204 45 78 92 709 O’MEARA 239 153 113 22 65 113 705 ANDERSON 142 128 165 35 59 83 612 BLACK 148 112 129 42 74 68 573 TURNER 134 103 120 27 60 54 498 PERRY 98 92 119 29 39 73 450 TAYLOR 91 90 113 20 30 26 370 RICHARDS 77 63 . 90 10 26 21 287 Informal 12 12 11 3 7 — 45 Total 4764 3701 3490 744 1653 203116383

o o x: -o o o o o -*-> o o JS o o xi o o « pq pq PQ pq pq C4 ro uo to Cj 6 6 6 6 6 6 O fc Z £■; S5 fc H TOWNLEY 525 406 389 85 181 231 1817 SMITH 482 358 390 78 170 231 1709 COLLINS 427 342 360 80 165 178 1552 BROWN 434 329 356 67 155 199 1540 O’MEARA 295 218 180 46 89 144 972 Informal 19 13 10 0 4 6 52

A A A A A ' o A o O o o o a o o 0 o 0 ■ « a pq M « m c-j ro ■» VO VO (i! 6 6 6 6 6 6 o 55 55 55 55 55 55 t" COLLINS 424 333 333 66 140 170 1466 JOHNSTON 377 275 265 60 138 170 1285 BROWN 378 271 267 45 126 157 1244 MANN 339 255 215 46 132 154 1141

LAWLESS 275 210 213 44 76 134 952 SCOTT, ilrs 211 165 161 43 54 97 731 ilUNNS 133 120 155 31 72 ,69 580 FOX. Mis 118 100 126 26 57 65 492 Informal 20 17 15 4 8 0 64