POWER LOAN APPROVED.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 744, 4 July 1922, Page 4

POWER LOAN APPROVED.

OVERWHELMING MAJORITY. SMALL POLL RECORDED. 4179 VOTES FOR : 288 AGAINST. The poll of the ratepayers in the Auckland Power Board area on a proposal to raise a 'loan of £600,000 for the purpose of reticulating the whole district was taken on Wednesday, the loan being carried by a majority of 3891, on figures ’that may be ,slightly altered, as the Manukau County returns are not yet complete. The voting was as follows For the Proposal 4179 Acainsf the Proposal 288 Majority for 3891 Of a total of approximately 25,000 effective voters, only 4487 recorded their votes. The rolls actually contained 30,400 names, but after they were compiled a large number of names were deleted* and it is estimated that the remaining total was approximately 25,000. fThe proposal was carried by an overwhelming majority alt every polling place. Of the 288 w'ho opposed! the 'loan, 175 voted in the city, 20 'in the Manukau district,. 23 at Onehunga, 13 at Mount Alberti and 10 at Mount Eden. Alt Manurewa there were no adverse votes. As was to be expected the largest vote was recorded in the city, the total being 1511—Mounf Eden coming next with 673, followed byi Mount Albert. 471, and Onehunga 304. The following tab?e shows the yottng in the various districts :

‘tilt; "Not complete. Referring' ’.to the result of the poll, the chairman of the Board. Mr W. J. Holdsworth. said that white there was not aii exceptionally large number of votes polled, the majority in favour of the proposal was very •'•ratifying. This clearly showed that “he progressive policy laid down by the Board had the support and confidence of the ratepayers. The fact thait the loan had been carried, he said, would enable the Board to order immediately the material necessary for tlte of the area so that the work might be put in hand without undue delay. It was evident from !the large majority in favour of the loan that a strong desire for electric light and power existed throughout the Power Boax*d area, and no effort would he spared to give the ratepayers ’these necessary conveniences.

<r We have been reproached in Auckland,” said Mr HoMs worth, “with being behind Ithe times, but when the loan money which bias now been sanctioned has been expended in rit'iculating the district, we will be in a forefront position.’. Mr Holdsworth observed that when the delficivlation work was completed the Board would be in a position to dispose of the extra power that would be generated when the extensions to the power station were finished. Further, 'the ratepayers would be able to enjoy the benefit c!f ‘the addis or al supply, and would he in a position to take advantage of the 15,000 k.w. Ithe Board would, receive from Arapuni when that scheme was developed.

Majority For Against For. City 1511 175 1336 Otahuhu 130 9 121 Newmarket 140 7 133 One Tree Hill 154 7 147 Mount Roskill 154 8 146 EHerslie 130 n O 127 Papatoetoe 127 9 118 Papakura 136 4 132 Manurewa 78 — 78 Mount Eden 673 10 663 Onehunsra 304 23 281 Mount Albert 471 13 458 :;: Manukau, 171 20 151 4179 28S 3891