MUNICIPAL OFFICES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4862, 7 August 1925, Page 2

MUNICIPAL OFFICES.

LARGE MAJORITY FOR LOAN. EXCEPTIONALLY HEAVY VOTING. Keen interest prevailed throughout the Paeroa borough all day on Wednesday in the poll of ratepayers for the purpose of raising the sum of £2OOO to erect new municipal offices on what was the library site next to the new post office, Normanby Road. The proposal was carried by an overwhelming majority, the voting being : for the proposal, 270; against, 852; informal, 4 ; majority in favour, 185.

The poll was the largest yet recorded in the borough in connection with loan proposals, and represented 64 per cent, of the ratepayers. On the ratepayers’ roll '558 names were shown, of which number 359 exercised their right to vote. Of the total number on the roll at least 90 names were those of absentee ratepayers.

The voting .was heaviest between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and despite the miserable weather conditions a large number of women made the journey to the booth. . Credit is due to the returning officer, Mr W. C. Alexander, and his staff for the smooth working of the proceedings. Half a dozen people assembled outside the borough office at 7 o’clock, at which time the poll closed, and in the short period of 10 minutes Mi’ Alexander announced the results as stated.

In an interview yesterday morning His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall), expressed his gratification at the result, which, he said, he regarded as a definite vpte of confidence by the ratepayers in the present Council. He was particularly pleased with the large poll, as it indicated the interest of the ratepayers in their own affairs. One of the most gratifying features, he said, was the unmistak-able-evidence, disclosed by the poll, that the ratepayers had confidence in the future bf the town and were whole-heartedly sharing in the progressive spirit. That phase of the issue was the all-important one, and other questions attendant on it were of small importance in comparison.

The Mayor stated that a period of two weeks must elapse before the official declaration of the poll could be forwarded to the Minister for gazetting. After that the Minister’s consent to the raising of the loan had to be obtained before steps could be legally taken, which would also have to. be gazetted. In the meantime a move would be made to arrange for the excavation of the site. Detailed plans and specifications would be prepared by himself at no cost whatever to the ratepayers and submitted to the Council. No time would be lost and no effort spared to have the building completed as early as possible.

It is interesting to state that tne Mayor has already received the offer of a local resident to loan the £2ooo’ required for the building.