HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13516, 13 February 1906, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION.

THE HON. MR COURLEY RETURNED.

Tlie election of a representative of the district of Dunedin (including Caversliam and South Dunedin) and St. Kilda on the Olago Harbour Board took place yesterday. For a Harbour Board election, which comes round seldom and at which only ratepayers are entitled to vote, a large amount of interest was manifested in the event, 2266 persons out of a total of 7445 on the roll recording their votes. The numbers on the rolls in the several districts were as follow;.—Dunedin, 385Z; .South Dunedin, 1273; Cavorsham, 1445; St. Kilda, 865. The figures below show how many persons voted in each district. The candidates were the Hon. Hugh Gourley, M.L.C. (who has been chairman of the board for 15 years), and Mr James Small (the nominee of the Ratepayers' Association). It will bo noted that Mr Gourley was in a minority in the city and at Cqtfersham, but at South Dunedin and St. Kilda he had majorities, the latter vote bjing particularly favourable to him. The arrangements for the conduct of the poll worked satisfactorily. There was no rush anywhere at, any time of the day. The result of tho voting was announced by the Returning Officer (Mr J. G. Sooullar) at the Garrison Hull at 7.5 p.m. to an attendance of about 100 persons, including several ladies. The polling at the different booths was as follows: — City— Genrlsy. Small. Garrison Hall 385 42G Itussell street 50 42 . Walker street ~ 90 57 Albany street J&'l 280 070 785 South Dunedin ~ ■„, ~ .. 205 158 Cavershara 84 105 St. Kilda .. ' 181 GS Totals 1140 1116 Informal votes, 10. Majority for Mr Gourley, 21. The Hon. Mr Gourley was therefore declared elected for the ensuing term, the result being received with cheers. The Hon. Mr Gourley, addressing the gathering, said: Ladies and Gentlemen,--I have very much pleasure in returning you my thanks for the support you have given me to-day. It seems that mv conduct has been pretty satisfactory to the ratepay.crs-(a Voice: " Right") -and I intend in (he future to follow the course I have taken in tho past.—(" Hear, hear.") I thank my supporters for coming to the .poll to vote for me.—(Cheers.) Mr Small said : Ladies and Gentlemen,— Although I appear before you as a defeated candidate I hope you will believe me when I say that I am not wholly displeased or disappointed- at the result. When we entered upon the contest we knew very well that we had a verv hard row to hoe, and we were quite alivo'to the likelihood of Mr Gourlev being returned. -('Hear, hear.") We were quite prepared for this contingency right from tho start, 'The two objects we had in view in the contest were—first, to return a candidate if possible, but, more particu-

larly, to stir up public interest in public affairs.— hear.") I have to thank thoao of my friends who voted for me to-day and also thoso who have wrought for me.—{.Cheers.)

A vote of thanks was accorded tho returning officer.