CLARKS RIDING ELECTION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XIV, Issue 799, 21 December 1881, Page 3

CLARKS RIDING ELECTION.

The election of one of the two candidates to represent Clarks Riding in the County Council took place yesterday, and resulted in the return of Mr Borton by a majority of eight votes, the polling as declared by the Returning Officer (Mr J. Harrop) being, Joseph Barnes Borton ... 56 Alexander Fraser ... ... 48 Mr Borton thanked the ratepayers heartily for the proud position in which they had placed him. He believed this had been a very keen, and, as far as he knew, unique election. In the elections at Home and elsewhere, he had not noticed so large a number, in proportion to the number of ratepayers, having voted. He assured them his vote in the Council would be given conscientiously, and as he thought was right, irrespective of party feeling. Mr Fraser said it appeared by the result of the poll that his opponent was elected, and he supposed time about was fair play. No doubt they wanted to give his friend a turn to see what he could do. He thanked the 48 who had voted for him. He had had a very strong opposition to fight against, and his opponent's votes had come from a remote part of the County. But altogether he was satisfied. They had conferred a great benefit on him — a pecuniary benefit. His position in the County bad cost him a lot of time and money, but now he would have an opportunity of attending to his private affairs. He only hoped that his successor would serve them as well in the future as he (the speaker) had done in the past. He concluded his remarks by proposing a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer. Mr Borton seconded the motion.

The Returning Officer, in replying, said it was gratifying to note that 99 per cent, of the ratepayers in the Riding had voted.