WAITOTARA.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 535, 19 June 1880, Page 2

WAITOTARA.

[from our correspondent.] The Election of a member from the Waverley Biding to sit on the County Council has not been decided on the merits of the candidates. Mr Bridge, who is returned, got no votes here, nor did Mr Milne. The Waitotara candidate would have got in for a certainty, but for an informality in the nomination. It was found that Mr Durie’s seconder was not on the electoral roll; and when this oversight became known among Mr Durie’s supporters, many of them considered it useless to vote for him, as his election would be informal and of no effect. 1 believe 51 more votes would have been recorded in Durie’s favor but for that discovery on the morning of the election. Mr Bridge polled 87, and got in. Mr Durie polled 22 at Waitotara, and 20 at Waverley, making 42. Add 54 to these, and he would have had 9(j as against the 87 for Mr Bridge. But some of the 54 rotes withheld from .Durie were given to Bridge; so his total would have been reduced if the election had been clear of accidents. The Ballasting on the Waitotara contract reached the river on Monday. About two-thirds of the required ballasting is now laid down. The contractors, Messrs Wilkie Bros., for the Waverley section, have been pushing a-head rapidly in spite of bad weather. They have now about four miles ready for plating, and could utilize an engine at once if the necessary rails and sleepers could be got over the river. It is expected that the engine will be able to cross early in July. The bridge has been delayed through want of timber. A large number of Natives are in the township to-day to meet Major Brown and Mr Brewer of (the Public Works) re compensation for land required for railway purposes. Major Brown, Mr Williams, and MrSherwood, arrived from Carlyle today. The Korcro takes place to-morrow.