TOO MANY POLLS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14546, 24 December 1912, Page 10

TOO MANY POLLS.

THE CITY COUNCIL'S QUANTMRY. After arriving at tho resolution in respect to the Lako Coleridge electrical scheme loan last night the City Council had submitted to it a motion relating to a loan of £16,C00 for the purposo of asphalting tho footpaths in Greater Christchurch their full wklch, tho purchaso of two motor waggons for the removal of refuse, and tho purchase of a tar-mixing plant. Cr. Oiley if it wero intended that tho poll on this loan should bo taken on tho samo day as the Lako Coleridge loan? Tho .\iayor said that it was so intended, owing to the enormous expense of taking a poll of tho ratepayers. Ho felt in honour bound to submit tho £16,000 loan proposals in order to carry out in part his election pledges, but if ho thought that the taking of the poll on this loan would jeopardise the larger loan ho would not press tho matter of tho smaller loan. Cr. Burgoyno thought that taking tho two polls on tho same day would have a detrimental effect on tho larger loan. Cr. Cooper proposed, as an amendment, that tho poll on the £IG,OOO loau bo taken in April on tho same day as tho election of councillors. Cγ. Williams seconded. The Mayor pointed out that on the day the councillors would bo elected — the last Wednesday in April next — thero would be three other elections proceeding, that of members of the Harbour Board, of members of tho Hospitnl and Charitable Aid Board, and of Mayor. It would bo bettor to kill tho proposal for tho £16,0;X> loan right ofl than submit it to the ratepayers under such conditions. Ho asked permission to withdraw tho motion, but this was declined. Ho then r.uggcstcd that it should bo lett over till after tho election. Cr. Williams said that if that wero <!one a comprehensive scheme dealing with the improvement of tho city streots as well as the footpaths shoukl be submitted. Tho Mayor said that fiat was what ho intended. Tho amendments—that tho poll should be taken on election day—was negatived. It was then suggested that tho date of the poll should be between tho middle and end of March. Tho Mayor said that his original intention was to submit proposals for a loan of £100,000 for street improvement, but in deference to the wishes of councillors he had submitted the smaller scheme. He thought that the Council was uot backing him up. Cr. Otley did not think that tho Mayor was quite fair to the Council which was prepared to back him up but not in placing tho £16,000 loan'proposals before the public on a day on which it was not hkelv to be carried On division a motion. "That the Finance Committee be asfced to surest a date upon which tho poll should be S ken ? 1,11,I ,11 , th ,° £16 ' IX}O loan," w £ agreed to by 6 votes to 5.