POLL AT EASTBOURNE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 133, 2 December 1926, Page 8

POLL AT EASTBOURNE

BUSES TO BE PURCHASED

LOAN APPEOVED BY LABGB MAJORITY.

The poll of ratepayers in the Eastbourne./ borough in regard to the proposal to borrow £ 8000 for tho purchase of■ the motor-bus service which'is competing with the ferry was carried yesterday by 262 votes to 71. There were 83S ratepayers on the roll, and only 334 exercised their right to voto, but this was largely accounted for by the .inclemency of the weather, rain falling practically all the time the polliug booths were open. There was no organised opposition to the proposal, and it is felt that had there been substantial objection to the raising of the loan those in opposition would have turned out despite the weather. Tho details of the voting are as follow:— For Ag 'nst Inf 'm '1 Wellington ... 121 35 1 Eastbourne ... 141 36 — Total ,262 71 1 The Mayor (Mr. 11. M. Jones) expressed himself as* being very satisfied with tho result. "It clearly indicates," ho said,*"that the ratepayers have given due consideration to tho proposals put forward by the council, and also considered the council's record as administrators before coming to a decision. In fact, it is equivalent to a vote of confidence in the present council." Tho thanks of the council, •ho added, were due to those ratepayers who had stood behind it. The buses would be taken over at the earliest opportunity, but according- to law at least 21 days had to'elapse before any definite steps in that direction could be taken. In taking over the bus service it would be the earnest endeavour of the council to prove that the move was a wise one, while efforts would also be made to remedy any losses on the ferry service. • Tho security for the loan is a rate of one and one-sixth of a penny in the £1 over a term of twenty years on the unimproved value of rateable property in the borough. The licet comprises eight buses,, which tho vendorsare prepared to dispose of at £7650, while £100 was allowed for the purchase of tools and sundries, and £250 for the cost of raising the loan.