THE HARBOR POLL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 222, 15 November 1888, Page 2

THE HARBOR POLL.

MAJORITY IN FAVOR ALMOST CERTAIN. The monstrous injustice to which this district has been subjected was made very evident by the poll taken yesterday as to whether the ratepayers should decide that the harbor works should remain as at present nr whether it should be allowable to expend a sum not exceeding £40,009. There has been so much heard of the question lately that a great many people ware almost heart sick of the thing, and in that was one qf the great dangers of the position, together with ttye t|<ji<-uloßa stipulation that absentees should count, in number and value, gs being against the proposal, However, the taHtfe TO? taken up witfi .enthusiasm, and from early mot’Bihg qntil the close of the poll every endeavor was used to make goqd for the heavy handicap incurred ewing to absentee? and possible nonvoters. In town ths poll was conducted very quietly, but it did not require an experienced eye to see that those in favor of the continuation of the works were fully aware of the odds against which they had to contend, and a few dissentients were also exercising their persuasive powers in support of the views held by themselves, In the country things were also very quiet, but earnest. Though the supporters of the work were confident of a small majority, they apparently did not in any degree lose sight of the difficulties under which they were working, and recognised that a victory would be all the more creditable to them. The results to hand are— FOR. AGAINST. No. Value. No.

The values in Gisborne have not yet been calculated, nor have the returns been received from Waerenga-a-kuri, Waikofiu, and Waimata ; but by an approximate estimate it is reckoned that there will be a substantial majority in favor of continuation. The number required to give a majority is 475, and the value £700,009. The number polled shows by present returns 572 in favor, a majority of nearly a hundred, and it is estimated that the value in favor represents over £BOO,OOO, a majority of £lOO,OOO. So that it is pretty safe to assume there will bo a bigger majority in favor than anticipated. A protest was lodged against the Land Company’s vote, representing about £83,000, but if the protest were upheld, which is not likely, it is believed it will make no material difference to the result. A special meeting of the Board takes place this evening.

Gisborne >< 849 . , 14 Ormond .. 48 108,720 2 \Vaeranga-a-hik» 32 41,300 5 Arai 22 51,209 0 Mali&r&k® ,. 49 49,359 •« 2 Patutahi •• ?S 29,581 4 87 8,045 . .. 8