BOROUGH LOAN PROPOSALS

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1004, 24 September 1903, Page 2

BOROUGH LOAN PROPOSALS

ratepayers dissatisfied WITH WAIHIRERE.

PROPOSALS REJECTED BY 28 VOTES.

Lively interest was manifested in the polling yesterday in connection with the borough loan proposals. The opponents of the Waihirere water scheme were especially &o'ive during the day, and rallied their supporters to the booth. Mr Quigley acted as returning officer, and Mr li. McKay as poli cietk. There was a steady stream of voters lo tho poll from the hour of opening, and the supporters of both sides expressed themselves confident as to the result. Up to two o’clock 210 votes had been recorded, but that number had been nearly doubled at 8.30. At live o'clock 508 votes had been polled, and at six o’clock 581. A score or more latecomers arrived in the last hour, and when the pull closed there had been 639 votes recorded.

The result was eagerly awaited, but tho crowd of spectators that had gathered had not long to wait, the Returning Officer announcing tho result at half-past seven, the figures submitted showiug that the loan proposals had been rejected by 30 votes, the exact figures being as follows Against the proposals ... 324 For the proposals 296 Informal 19 Total 639 The result of the poll taken last year was as follows For the proposals 368. against 188, informal 15, total 571.

Tho result was received with much cheering and excitement, and when matters bad cooled down Mr J. East stepped forward and addressed the great gathering that was assembling. He congratulated tho ratepayers on tho result, and pointed out that they had relieved the town of an incubus by rejecting the Waihirere water scheme. (Applause.) Captain Tucker heartily congratulated those present on the result, which was not to be taken as showing hostility to water and drainage. (Applause.) The result showed that the people were dissatisfied with the schemes placed before them. Tho vote that day was a wise one, and they were now free to get the very best scheme possible to suit their requirements—(applause)—a scheme that would provide for industries as well as household purposos. He had stated in the press that he was in favor of a scheme to cost even 1120,000 more, so long as it fulfilled all their requirements. (Applause.) Mr W. D. Lysnar, who was received with great applause, congratulated the ratepayers of tho town and district on the victory they had achieved that day. The ratepayers had shown their wisdom and intelligence in rejecting the present water and drainage scheme by a substantial majority, although it was not to be taken as an indication that they did not want water and drainage. The ratepayers by their vote had shown that thoy were not satisfied with the present proposals, and had done the right and proper thing in rejecting them that they might have better schemes. (Applause.) He sincerely hoped that the promoters of tho present schemo would accept the verdict of the people, and join hands with those who had opposed them in order to obtain for Gisborne water and drainage schemes, the adoption of which would cause their town to progress. The Council should go in for a scheme that would enable thorn to provide a plentiful supply of water for the town and assist their industries. A voice : “ You are quite right, Lysnar.” Continuing, Cr Lysnar Baid : 11 Let us sink all differences, and unite in forwarding the interests of the town.” They had had a hard fight, but the intelligence of the ratepayers had triumphed, and thoy had succeeded in vetoing the proposals. (Applause.) They were going to havo a better scheme. They were not going to boast over the victory they had secured, but were going to work with those who had been defeated to provide a better schemo.

A voice: 11 You cannot get a better schemo than Waihirere.” “ For twenty yoars,” added Mr Lysnar, “ the leaders of the Council have persistently kept their eyes on Wahirere, and would not look elsewhere, It was rejected before, and now it has been rejected again, and a better scheme will be provided. Mr Harris : What is a better schemo ? Mr Lysnar : We havo dozens of better Bchomes. The Waimata is a better schome, Mr Harris : You may think it is. Mr Lysnar: At present I believe the Waimata, when you understand it, will be accepted by you as a better scheme. At the same time I do not hold myself absolutely pledged to Waimata if a better supply can bo obtained. What we want is the best result for our money, so that all purposes, including industries, can bo sorvod. You all know that it would be impossible to servo industries from Waihihoro. (Applause.) We must have a schome which will bo revenue producing as well as supplying our household purposes. (Applause.) The speaker concluded by again congratulating the ratepayers on tho result of the poll. Mr J. W. Bright regretted that tho

Mayor or some members of the Council supporting the loan proposals were not present to reply to the remarks of the previous speakers. He was far from satisfied with the result of tho poll, which simply moant that no other scheme would be brought forward, and Gisborne would be put back 10 or 15 years. The blame for this was on the shoulders of those who had rejected the proposals. (Applause.) He regretted that a revulsion of feeling had come. Continuing, Mr Bright said that he was a member of the Council which formulated the proposals, and he regretted to see the vote that evening. “We took the best advise we could obtain,” he remarked, “ and every authority has confirmed and approved of Waihirero. When a person has a grievouß complaint he goes to the doctor, and the doctor gives him horrible physic, but he has to take it.” Captain Tucker : This is the first doze. (Laughter and applause.) Mr Bright, smiling; That is a very smart reply, Captain Tucker, but it is not tho first dose. In my humble opinion, tbe vote this evening has put the town back ten yoars, and I am not afraid of saying so. (Applause.) Mr F. Harris then addreased the gathering, remarking: “To-night we are defeated, and I accept that defeat. As a Liberal, I own when 1 am beaten.

Mr W. Devery : Of course you do. You have got to. Mr Harris ; Mr Devery has not got a child, and the result of the poll is nothing to him ; he is a man of money. Mr Harris, continuing, referred to the part that the Times had taken in the contest, contending that it was now incumbent upon it to bring forth a scheme, in order to save the Jives of the people. (Applause.) “We have been told not to force this scheme on the people," said Mr Harris, “ and a better one will be brought forward ; but no other scheme will bo brought forward. I have it on record, however, that I, for one, voted for the proposals.” Cr Lysnar : As regards the Times, I say that the thanks of this town are due to the Times. (Applause.) They have acted impartially right throughout the contest. They havo given us fair and correct reports. All the letters bearing upon this important question have been published in full, and there has been no tail attached to them, as has been repeatedly done by another journal. (Hear, hear.) We have had all that is fair and just from the Times, and they have never taken advantage of their position, If it had not been for them, we would not be in the position that we are in this evening. (Applause.) By their impartial attitude they have placed the issue fairly before you, and the information they have supplied has enabled you to arrive at the decision you have done this evening. We have had fair assistance from them in this matter, but we have not bad it from tho other paper. (Applause.) At the instance of Mr Lysnar, three hearty cheers were given for those gentlemen who had interested themselves in regard to vetoing tbe water scheme. “Mr Lysnar will yet be Mayor,” remarked several of the spectators in their enthusiasm.

Mr Lysnar : “ I can assure you Lysnar does not desire to be Mayor. Ail that he requires is to see that a good water supply scheme is obtained for the town.

The meeting then dispersed.