THE BOROUGH ELCTIONS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1148, 15 September 1882, Page 2

THE BOROUGH ELCTIONS.

After our going to press last evening there appeared to be a “ spurt” put on for the different candidates for the vacant chairs in that august body, known as the Gisborne Boaough Council, and various bets were laid and taken as to the result. Our local mettalician, Mr Teddy Beresford, was quite in his element, and from all accounts at the end of the “day’s doing” came out of the fire most satisfactory. There were other gentlemen who ventured their little sums on the event, and waited patiently for the verdict. Just before the poll was declared »ome of the betting fraternity looked rather blue when it was announced that it was a case of Lombard Street to a Chinap orange that Mr Clarke would head the poll. The prediction of the knowing ones proved correct, and the result took every one by surprise. The poll closed at 6 p.m. precisely. Shortly before 7 o’clock, the Returning Officer, Mr P. H. Bourke, appeared at one of the windows of the Council Chambers, and announced the state of the poll as follows.

Clarke, William 147 Brown, Edward Knight ... 146 Somervell, Jonh 139 Townley, John 139 Stubbs, John Henry 36 Informal votes ... ... 3 The Returning Officer said that it now devolved upon him to give his casting vote, as there was a tie between Messrs Somervell and Townley. He would give the casting vote in favor of Mr John Townley. The result of the polling as announced by the Returning Officer was received with great cheers by a number of people who had assembled outside the Chambers to hear the decision of the ratepayers. Some enthusiastic electors, desirous of showing their satisfaction at Mr Clarke’s return at the head of the poll, wished to carry that gentleman shoulder-high into the Albion Club Hotel. Mr Clarke declined the honor, and quietly walked to the hotel, accompanied oy his numerous supporters. Acase of Mr S. M. Wilson’s best champagne having been opened, the successful candidate was duly toasted, “ For he’s a jolly good fellow” being given in appropriate style. The other candidates were not forgotten, and after spending a very pleasant halt-hour, those present adjourned to the «-Irene. Thufi ended the election of three Councilloirt fi,;* the Borough of t.dsJjoruc on (Septrnibt'r 14th, I M2.