THE PLEBISCITE.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2198, 24 May 1870, Page 2

THE PLEBISCITE.

At first sight it appears difficult to arrive at the opinion of the majority of the ratepayers in Dunedin on the Gas Question, hut a little consideration of the result of the plebiscite showy tljat it is in favor of accepting a fresh contract for Ightiffg the City lamps at a reduced rate. There are three affirmative propositions involved. On the first, in favor of building gas works, bid persons answered “Yes.” On the second, in favor of purchasing the present works, 44 answered “Yes.” On the third, the proposal to light the City lamps at a reduced rate, 102 answered “Yes” Thus there is a majority of 8 in favor of the last proposal. As a matter of course, the affirmation of one proposition involves the negation of the rest,

but this simple fact had been overlooked when the voters were required to say “Ices” or “ No.” Whether or not those who voted confined themselves to one expression of opinion, does not appear by the return; but whether they did or not, in the calculation of probabilities we may fairly assume that a like proportion in each case similar views of the mode of expressing their ideas. Examining therefore the negative votes, we find that 92 were against building new works, 19G against purchasing the present works, and 8(5 against a fresh contract for lighting. This would give an addition of G in favor of a new contract. The informal votes and refusals to vote may fairly be neglected, as they do not affect the result, and arc nearly equal on all proposals. On the lirst they were 127, on the second 131, and on the third 128. The result of the plebiscite, with the form in which the questions wore put, were as follows : The first question was—“Arcyou in favor of building gas works ?” To this query the number that replied in the affirmative was 154, and the number that replied in the negative, 92. Ninety persons declined to vote, and 37 votes were rejected as informal. Question number two was—“ Are you in favor of purchasing the present. works (if obtainable) for the sum of L 22,000 ?” To this query 44 persons replied in the affirmative and 196 in the negative. One hundred and three persons declined to vote, and 28 votes were r jected as informal 'l ire third question was —“ Are you in favor of accepting a fresh contract for lighting the city’ lamps at a reduced rate ?” To this query IG2 persons replied in the affirmative and SG in the negative. Ninety-four persons declined to vote, and 34 votes were rejected as informal. The number of persons who voted was 380, and the number of voters on the roll is 1,500.