LOAN PROPOSALS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4791, 19 December 1924, Page 2

LOAN PROPOSALS.

SATISFACTORY POLLING. GASWORKS ISSUE DEFEATED). A poll of ratepayers in the Borough of Paeroa was held on Wednesday on three issues, comprising a proposal to raise, a loan of £6OOO for the purpose of enlarging, renewing, and extending water-mains and reticulation within the borough ; to raise £2OOO for the purpose of assisting ratepayers to connect with the sewerage system; and to borrow an amount of £6500 for the purpose of purchasing the assets of the Ohinemuri Light and Power Co., Ltd (in liquidation), and effecting improvements to the buildings, plant, and mains.

The first two issues were carried by nearly a four-to-one majority, but the gasworks proposal was lost by fortysix votes. The voting was as follows : Water loan. 168 for, 44 against, 4 informal ; Sewerage Connections. 162 for, 47 against. 7 informal; Gasworks, 81 for, 126 against, 9 informal.

Of a total of 592 persons on the roll qualified to vote 216 persons exercised their privilege, which number is about 36 per cent. Good work was done by the town clerk (Mr.. AV. C. Alexander) the returning officer for the poll, assisted by Messrs R. W. Evans and A. T. Jones, and Miss Butler.. Although the poll did not close until 7 p.m., the results were available 35 minutes afterwards.

Interviewed yesterday, His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) said that he was very pleased with the way the ratepayers had turned out and supported the council. The number of votes recorded was considered very satisfactory indeed, and the poll was larger than had been anticipated, especially as the issues were loan, proposals. There was evidence of a number of absentee property-holders and others who would no doubt have exercised their votes had they been in the borough on Wednesday. The Mayor said that there was no gainsaying the fact that there was a decided element of risk in the municipality taking over the gasworks, and it was because of the doubtful success that would be made of the undertaking that the ratepayers were called on for an expression of opinion per medium of the ballot box. The result of that issue was not unexpected, he said, but all the same, it was a great pity, and far-reaching inconvenience would be experienced when the company ceased to manufacture gas in Paeroa. In acquainting the liquidators of the company of the ratepayers’ decision the council had asked that full consideration should be shown the gas consumers, and that the company should prolong the closing down of the plant as long as possible. The Mayor expressed keen .satisfaction at the result of the other two issues, and said that the carrying of the proposals had not only shown that the council was being' backed up by the ratepayers in its endeavours to advance the town along progressive and sound lines, but that a progressive spirit existed among the ratepayers themselves. They realised that the suggested works and improvements were necessary, and were prepared to shoulder any burden that might arise in carrying those improvements into effect.