A FATEFUL DECISION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18329, 12 November 1921, Page 5

A FATEFUL DECISION.

STEAM PLANT LOAN CARRIED. MAJORITY OF 322 VOTES. The loan proposal to borrow £50,000 additional money in connection with the municipal steam plant was placed 1 before the ratepayers yesterday, and I carried by a majority of 322 votes, the analysis of the voting being : For Against Borough Council ... 732 619 Keith Street 216 173 Ara mo ho 215 81 Wanganui East ... ... 195 184 Durie Hill 18 39 St. .John's Hill 54 42 Totals 1160 1138 Majority for the loan 322 Informal 20 Both sides worked hard and throughout the any there was a steady procession of voters to the various polling booths. 'The result was ready about 7.40 p.m., a very creditable performance on the part of the returning officer and his assistants, but a fairly large crowd of ratepayers were kept waiting at the Council Chamber until nearly 8 o’clock until the Mayor arrived and announced the result. As a result of this early declaration, Crs. Sigley and Maunder did not arrive till the crowd bad dispersed. Addressing the gathering the Mayor said that those who thought that the Borough Council s troubles were ended were making a. great mistake. The Council had had great difficulty in keeping the trams running and had great difficulties in finance. To-day they were waiting for special legislation so that the borough would be able to carry on its work. During the last six months the great difficulty was to keep the men employed. Even though the loan was carried he was not sure that they would lx? able to keep the trams running. A well-known voice: Rubbish! Mr Williams said the trams had been a nightmare to him. The last breakdown had cost the town £BOOO, and if it broke down the Council would not be able to keep the men employed again. The Mayor said he had hoped that the polling day would be the day of peace, and he ho]>ed that those gentlemen who had said they would resign would think , better of it and come along and help the Council. Applause and dissent —“Let then go. - fiom the steam-planters. The Mayor—“ Why should ther? be another election?” He added that lhe Council should save its money. Never before had there been a poll in Wanganui in which such interest had l>ecn taken. That was because the public realised what it meant io Wanganui. The Mayor said the people had elected him to do his best and be had tried to do so, and when he camo out of office next year he hoped the finances would be in such a condition that he could retire in a peaceable state of mind. He would then be 70 years of age. The Mayor’s remarks were loud f-<ip-plauded. The Mayor then proceeded to a meeting of the Harbour Board, where he was welcomed with applause, the chairman (Mr Bignell) expressing the opinion that the vote reflected the feeling of the ratepayers. At least one of the hydro councillors posted his resignation last evening, and the others will no doubt follow suit today. There is no other course open for them to follow. As Ct. Sigley said at the Druids’ Hall meeting, there is no hope of the two parties working together. “Oil and water will not mix." It, is regrettable that the town should thus lose the services of the only practical man on the Council, but th ir resignation will result in hurrying on the inevitable debacle in borough ailairs.