The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1999. YESTERDAY’S POLL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2421, 9 February 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1999. YESTERDAY’S POLL.

There is little dillieulty in analysing the results of the voting for members of the Harbor Board -at yesterday’s poll. Broadly speaking, it indicates that tho country opposes an Out- r Harbor, whilst the town lavors it. From tho party aspect it is also apparent that Air. AV. D. Lysnar’s methods arc not appreciated, and there is no desire on the part oi ratepayers to entrust him-with control of their interests. This was shown recently at the Cook County elections, and was again demonstrated conclusively yesterday, when Messrs. Hepburn end Adair both found themselves hampered hv their identification with the Lysnar party. In.tho town Air. Harris received the recognition of the high position lie occupies in public esteem, and was also favored by the excellent organisation of his supporters. Air. AA*. L. Rees also polled well, and doubtless would have scored more votes but for the handicap of party

ties. Alessrs. Townlcv and AA’hiiiray were in the position of candidates who had lieon content to sleep whilst their 1 opponents were working, and under the circumstances it is not surprising that one of the pair was defeated, and it is indeed remarkable that Air. Townley should have scored as well as lie did. It is, of course, a dignified attitude for a person .who. confident in the knowledge of public service well achieved, simply places his name before the people, hut the public has a short memory, and such conii<l donee is apt to he misplaced. The net result is one upon which we can congratulate the ratepayers, for it will he impossible in the future for Afr. Lysnar to secure that domination the Board which he made such strenuous endeavors .to secure. On the other hand, whilst Alessrs. Kells and Alacdonald have virtually expressed hostility to tho Outer Harbor schemes at present before us, Air. Harris is an avowed supporter of the Alarchant scheme, whilst Air. Townley only counsels some delay and the obtaining of more information before placing the issue before tho ratepayers. The Board as now constituted comprises a conservative majority of well-informed men with business experience who can he depended upon to carefully watch the interests of the ratepayers and the community generally. They cannot as a body he said to be keen on an Outer Harbor, hut They will -almost certainly give that close attention to tho need of ’radical improvement to the present channel that we have long advocated as being necessary. AVhilo

doing that wo hope they will not overlook the fact that Gisborne- must some (imo have a harbor capable of accommodating the largest ocean boats, so that they can come -alongside a wharf, and there discharge both passengers and cargo. This town and district will never fulfil Iho destiny which has been mapped out for tbem so long as those in authority are satisfied with the present crude arrangements. It is itsoless to attempt to dismiss the question by assorting that carcases of mutton and bales of wool can be handled as quickly and as cheaply here as in Wellington, for that is a long way from being the last word on the subject. Gisborne will never be a Wellington nor -a Timaru, nor even a Napier, so long as it clings to the lighterage system for cargo and the swinging ladders or crates and baskets for passengers. Moreover, it as not merely the ratepayers whose interests have to be watched. The Board sits as custodians not only of those who contribute directly to its funds, but also of the community as a whole, and the interests of those will* most certainly demand the construction of an Outer Harbor -at as early a date -as can conveniently and safely be managed. We speak contentedly now of Gisborne as a town, but in the future it

will be entitled to -a higher status, and 'it can be surely prophesied that Gisborne city will commence its existence as an important centre ot Dominion trade on the day that the construction of an Outer Harboi is commenced. AYe have' now secured a Board comprising sane, level-headed men, who can be depended upon to thoroughly weigh the merits and demerits of any proposals that they nun decide to juit before the people. Let us hope that while giving the attention that is necessary to the immediate requirements of the port, they will not overlook the still more important future, and will lose no opportunity of putting the best obtainable scheme for an Outer Harbor before the people.