THE RESULT OF THE POLL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11500, 5 February 1903, Page 5

THE RESULT OF THE POLL.

The remit oi the poll was announced by the Deputy-Returning Otiicer (Mr Foster) to a f&irly larja crowd which had assembled in front ot the Borough Council Chambers. The result vas: — For the proposal ... ... 939 .Against tho proposal ... 421 A few faint "Hurrahs", greeted the declaration of the poll. * The details ot the voting were: — Booth. For Agetlnf. Borough Council Chamber ... 870 194 8 Oddfe.iows' Hall, S«iwyu el. ... 229 92 1 St. Saviour's Schoolroom ... 150 64 3 WVtiuun Public Labrary ... 100 71 3 Tot*;» 839 <21 13 Majority for the proposal, 518. SPJEECH BY THE MAYOR OP SYDENHAM. Shortly after the municipal band concert at Sydenham Park had started, Mr J. B. Sim (the Mayor of ■Syd'enbamJ announced the result of the poll to the large crowd present. After giving the figures, Mr Sim said that Sydenham had , had more time to think over* the proposal t<v unite with the tity than the other boroughs, apd had also had the result of the polls in the other boroughs to think over, and the voters h*d calmly decided to give pp> their individuaGty and join Greater Christ, church. He would like to cay a word ot appreciation, of Mr Wigram'e efforts in the matter. Mr Wigram bad entered into it with energy ana zeal, and bad to contend against great difficulties—the apathy and indifference, of the people and a great deal of opposition. He had fought the battle fairly and honourably and he (Mr Sim) heartily congratulated him Upon hi* success. He would like to have been able to cay {he sam* of everyone - who had .been connected i with the movement, but fc« waa eorry tie could not. The newspapers had thought fit to abuse Sydenham's representatives, and had belittled the borough—calling it a dunghill, and its representatives upatorU. They had resented such language, and the men who wrote that aort of thing -were no more than mobs. He hoped now, however, that all would bury all bitterness and endeavour to maike Greater (Jhriefcchurch what some of its meet sanguine advwates , hoped it would be—an ideal community. That oould only be don« by the burgeesee taking the earn* interest in municipal matr tere as they had shown in the poll tliat day, and by evincing the came interest in hhu election of the Councillors of Greater Christchurch. They had the control' of Greater Christchurch in their own banda, and could make of it vrhat they desired.