1956 Lower Hutt mayoral election

1956 election in New Zealand April 2024 1956 Lower Hutt mayoral election New Zealand Presidential no 1953 Lower Hutt mayoral election 1953 1959 Lower Hutt mayoral election 1959 17 November 1956 12,248 (43.43%) 150x150px Percy Dowse New Zealand Labour Party 8,378 68.40 100px Will Giltrap Independent politician 3,782 30.88 Mayor Percy Dowse Percy Dowse The 1956 Lower Hutt mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections held that same year. The elections were held for the role of Mayor of Lower Hutt plus other local government positions including fifteen city councillors, also elected triennially. The polling was conducted using the standard first-past-the-post electoral method. Background The incumbent Mayor, Percy Dowse, sought re-election for a third term. Dowse was opposed by William Giltrap who stood as an independent candidate. Giltrap had been a Citizens' Association councillor from 1947 to 1950 and again from 1951 to 1953. At this election the Citizens' Association (whose tickets won no seats at the 1950 and 1953 elections) did not stand an official ticket of candidates. Instead Giltrap led a group of five other candidates (known cumulatively as the "Ratepayer Independents") against the Labour council ticket.Two Candidates for Lower Hutt Mayoralty – Sitting Mayor and Independent Candidate The Hutt News 24 October 1956 5 Dowse campaigned on his record of development of the city. Labour's pledges were to build a new Town Hall and civic centre, preserve open spaces in northern suburbs (Naenae, Taita and Stokes Valley) for recreation, rebuilding the Melling bridge and improving street sealing in older suburbs of the city.Statement by Mayor – Labour Candidates Policy The Hutt News 31 October 1956 5 The Ratepayer Independents campaigned on individual freedom and non-partisanship. Election pledges included rates reduction, incentivising land subdivision for new housing, beautification of the Hutt River stop banks and improving road access to Wainuiomata.Independent Group – Non-Political Policy The Hutt News 31 October 1956 5 Labour won even more decisively than they had in the previous two elections. It won the mayoralty, a majority on the Hutt River Board along with all seats on the city council, power board, gas board, harbour board and hospital board. The only non-Labour seat was won by Giltrap who was elected to the river board.Solid Labour Vote in Hutt Valley The Evening Post 19 November 1956 Mayoral results 1956 Lower Hutt mayoral electionCity of Lower Hutt - Election of Mayor The Evening Post 27 November 1956 2 New Zealand Labour Party Percy Dowse 8,378 68.40 +7.56 Independent politician Will Giltrap 3,782 30.88 88 0.71 +0.27 4,596 37.52 +15.20 12,248 43.43 -9.13 Councillor results 1956 Lower Hutt City Council electionCity of Lower Hutt - Election of Fifteen Councillors The Evening Post 27 November 1956 2 New Zealand Labour Party James McDonald 8,733 71.30 +13.84 New Zealand Labour Party Sam Chesney 8,592 70.15 +11.77 New Zealand Labour Party Trevor Young 8,581 70.06 +12.29 New Zealand Labour Party John Davey 8,403 68.60 +14.60 New Zealand Labour Party William Harvey 8,382 68.43 New Zealand Labour Party Jessie Donald 8,370 68.33 +14.87 New Zealand Labour Party Chen Werry 8,244 67.30 +13.59 New Zealand Labour Party Wally Mildenhall 8,028 65.54 New Zealand Labour Party William Mouat McLaren 8,001 65.32 New Zealand Labour Party Bert Sutherland 7,992 65.25 New Zealand Labour Party Wally Bugden 7,929 64.73 +12.49 New Zealand Labour Party Alexander Murray 7,836 63.97 +10.34 New Zealand Labour Party William Riley 7,331 59.85 New Zealand Labour Party Clarence Fennellnb Fennell resigned from the council in January 1959 and was replaced by Walter Fraser via an appointment.A Resignation - Hutt City Council Hutt News 28 January 1959 5 7,312 59.69 +10.80 New Zealand Labour Party Allan Patrick Ryan 7,201 58.79 Independent politician Alwin Atkinson 5,567 45.45 +7.49 Independent politician Will Giltrap 5,537 45.20 +2.11 Independent politician Cyril Phelps 5,297 43.24 +20.95 Independent politician Randall Owen George Slacke 5,173 42.23 Independent politician Amy Irene Wilson 4,858 39.66 Independent politician Lawry Richard Donovan 4,781 39.03 Table footnotes: nb Notes References Millar David P. Once Upon a Village: A History of Lower Hutt 1819-1965 1972 New Zealand University Press & LHCC Lower Hutt 154232923 McGill David Lower Hutt – The First Garden City Lower Hutt City Council 1991 Petone, New Zealand 1-86956-003-5 Category:Mayoral elections in Lower Hutt Category:1956 elections in New Zealand Category:Politics of the Wellington Region