SYDENHAM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5731, 26 November 1896, Page 1

SYDENHAM.

There was a continuous stream of voters all day at the offices of the Sydenham Borough Council. Owing^probably to the fact that there has not been a contest for the office since 1894, more than the usual amount of interest -was centred in the election; , The copy of the roll used by the Eeturning-officer was of thin transfer paper, and, as might have been expected, this did not improve with the use entailed by a busy day. At six o'clock, the time appointed for closingthe poll, about seventyfive voters were shut out. The opinion was freely expressed among the crowd that Sydenham, being emphatically a working man's borough, some alteration of the law should be effected in future so that men returning from their work might have an opportunity of voting. The result of the polling was very close — N. K Bowden 341 . J/Hadfield ... ... ... 331 Mr Hadfield, in addressing the voters after the declaration of the poll, said that he had always .done . his best for the interests of the' borough. But for tho .exclusion of so many voters at six o'clock the result might have been different. (Voices: "No.") However that might be, he expected to contest the seat on a future occasion, when he might have better luck. (Applause.) The Mayor-elect said- that he did not propose to take any active part inmuniiCipal matters after the expiry of his term ,of office. He took it that his election that .evening was the practical protest of the people against the previous mismanage•ment'of the borough. He would pledge himself that so far as he was concerned there would be no more borrowed thousands in Sydenham. He had muchplea--sure in proposing a vote of thanks to the Eeturning-officer. Mr Allison, in reply, regretted that people had been turned away from the poll. . He had thought that the experience of two years ago would have induced them to turn up in time on this occasion.