HARBOR BOARD ELECTION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2103, 11 June 1907, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD ELECTION

QUESTION OF DUAL VOTES. Mr. 11. M. Portor, returning officer, reported to the Harbor Board yesterday the election of Mr. Francis It. Harris to fill tho vacancy on tho Board caused by tho death of tho lato Mr. Harding. “I am desired to mention to you,” added Mr. Porter, “that several voters whose names appear on tho Borough roll and also on tho list ol payers of dues, applied for two votes, which under your Act oT 1905 I was unable to allow. The sections of tho Act bearing on tho question aro Nos. 8 and 9 and are, I deem, quite explicit. There, is perhaps a little hardship in the fact that those carrying on business in their own names are only ontitled to one voto, whilst those trading ns a company have two votes, tho firm being a separate entity from tho individual. However, with this I am not concerned, my duty being to conduct the election in accordance with the Act.” Mr. Clark said that ns tho matter did not affect the election it would I be only waste of time going into it now. Tho Chairman: 4Ye have to con- I sider future elections and should get I the question settled. I Mr. Lysnar remarked that the I general roll needed considerable re- I vision. The Board decided to obtain the I solocitor’s opinion on the point. A suggestion was made that the I wliarfago list should be dispensed I with. The Secretary stated that it was I required by the Act. The roll should I be revised, however, so as to deal I fairly with persons who appeared on I the two lists but only had one vote. I