INFORMAL VOTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 98, 28 April 1933, Page 3

INFORMAL VOTE.

NORTH SHORE WATER. LIGNITE STREAM SCHEME. TEST OF PUBLIC FEELING. To ascertain the feeling of Birkenhead ratepayers on the advisability of proceeding with the Lignite Stream scheme as a means of replacing the Lake Pupuke water supply, a straw vote will be unofficially taken in conjunction with the election for the Birkenhead Borough Council on Wednesday next. The conclusion has been reached by the Mayor, Mr. G. Mills, and the retiring council that steps should be taken to link up the Lignite Stream, and it is understood that consideration has already been given the question of approaching the Health Department for a requisition to authorise the financing of the scheme without taking a ratepayers' poll. However, it was felt that the views of the ratepayers should first be tested out in a definite way, and accordingly the decision was reached to take an unofficial ballot on the question of proceeding with the proposal. Voting papers are now being prepared. They will be headed "Lignite Stream Water Proposal," and it will be indicated that only ratepayers are invited to vote. The explanation will read: "The Mayor and retiring councillors have signified their support of the proposal to obtain water from the Lignite Stream source. Before steps are taken to finance matters legally, it is desired that an expression of opinion on the whole question shall be given by the ratepayers. You are therefore requested to record your approval or disapproval as the case may be, of the above-mentioned proposal." Then will follow in large typo the two issues: "I approve of the proposal" and "I disapprove of the proposal." In a conspicuous position it will be made clear that the ballot is entirely unofficial. Referring to the matter this afternoon, the Mayor said it was hardly correct to describe the ballot as a "straw vote"; the correct term would be "informal ballot." He added that there was no question of antagonism with the Water Board over the question.