YESTERDAY’S POLL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18329, 12 November 1921, Page 4

YESTERDAY’S POLL.

One of tips most extraordinary municipal controversies in Wanganui’s history wa,s advanced another’ stage yesterday, when a poll was taken on the proposal to raise a loan of £50,000 for tramways and electric lighting. The proposal was carried by a majority of 322, those in favour numbering 14 60 and those opposed to it 1138. We would like to think that the decision will lead to the open fields of peace and prosperity; . but we feel we must share the fears expressed by the Mayor when ad- : dressing the ratepayers last evening. The ratepayers were very evenly divided. Those who voted against the loan may content themselves in the knowledge that they did their best to avert the troubels which the carrying of the loan, must inevitably give rise to. The Hydro Five likewise may cheer themselves with the reflection that they will be free from responsi- 1 bility. They fought a great fight for what they knew to be right, and ' they now know that practically half the ratepayers are with them. So far as we are concerned, the result : of the poll has not changed our views. The promotion of Wanga- ' nui’s interests has always been our desire, and in this controversy we < fought for what we honestly felt was the only sane policy before ' the ratepayers. We would like to , think a tithe of the promises made by the advocates of the loan will ■ materialise. Time will reveal to the , ratepayers the value of some of the I, “promises. 1