ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS FOR THE BOROUGH.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1236, 30 December 1882, Page 2

ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS FOR THE BOROUGH.

At nine o’clock yesterday morning the poll-ing-booth for the election of two members to represent the interests of the ratepayers of Gisborne in the Borough Council -was opened, and Mr F. J. Piesse was the Returning Officer, Mr W. H. McKay being Mr Piesse’s deputy. There was very little interest taken in the proceedings, as is evidenced by the fact that out of 290 registered electors, only 128 came to the poll and recorded their votes. At six o’clock the polling booth was closed, and after a careful scrutiny, the Returning Officer declared the following to be the result:— John Somervell... ... ... 163

Carlaw Smith ... ... ... 117 R. Hill Fisher 81 There was a considerable crowd outside the building waiting to hear the result, and when the Returning Officer declared the state of the poll there was great cheering. None of the candidates addressed those who were anxiously waiting for the result. There was some little trouble caused by voters who claimed to vote for companies, &c., although the individual names were not placed on the Burgess Roll. The Returning Officer, and we think very rightly too, objected to record the votes. It is therefore to be hoped that in future ratepayeres who are entitled to vote will take care to have their names properly placed on the roll. There will probably soon be another election owing to the vacancy which will be created by Mr W. Clarke's retirement, so that in all probability Mr Fisher will be able on that occasion to secure a seat in the Council.