POWER LOAN CARRIED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19156, 23 October 1925, Page 10

POWER LOAN CARRIED.

OVERWHELMING MAJORITY.

SMALL VOTE RECORDED. MONEY ON ENGLISH MARKET. The proposal of the Auckland Electric Power Board to raise £650,000 for important electrical works in Auckland was carried by an overwhelming majority yesterday. With a three-fifths majority required, the proposal was carried by 2827 votes to 160. There are returns still to come from four small booths, three in the Manukau County and the other at Mount Wellington. These cannot affect the , result. The poll was a small one, only 2997 votes, of which ten were informal, being cast. At the last poll, three years ago, when the proposal was to borrow £600,000 for general extension work, 4669 votes were cast. The falling off is thought to be due to the fact that many people who voted on the previous proposal now have their homes fitted with electricity and took little interest in the poll, which was also overshadowed considerably bv the approaching general election. Following are the returns from the various areas For. Against. City 129-1 iBG Alanukau (incomplete) 215 l> Mount Eden . . . . 210 3 Oneluinga . . . . 199 12 Mount Albert . . 139 4 Mount Roskill . . 122 G Newmarket . . . . 117 5 Otahuhu .. •. 97 3 One Tree Hill .. .. 81 6 Papakura . . . . 07 3 Papatoetoe . . *. 07 7 Manurewa . . ». C>o 1 "Howick . . . . 50 2 Ellerslie . . . . 50 S Avondale » . . . 40 3 Panmure . . . . 19 0 Totals .. .. 2827 100 Mr. W. J. Holds worth, chairman of the Power Board, stated last evening that although the poll was small, it was very satisfactory. The overwhelming majority in favour of the proposal showed that the public had confidence in the progressive policy of the board. The result of the poll would enablo the board to carry out its plan of changing over to water power and to continue reticulation to meet the demands from the outer areas dt the district. The sum of £250,000 would shortly be raised on the English market, and 'the loan authorised would be spread over three or four years. The reticulation will then be practically completed.