PREPARING FOR THE POLLS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1925, Page 2

PREPARING FOR THE POLLS.

THE YOTIXf; PARERS. WELLINGTON, Oct. 29

Reams upon reams of paper will he used in connection with the coming elections, it some particulars supplied to a reporter today he any criterion. It is estimated that about 3.017.3(1(1 voting papers will he absorbed by the electoral and licensing issues. Of that number, there will he 88.Ido voting papers for absent voters (electoral), and 17120,000 papers for the seventysix electoral districts, making a total in that connection of 1.41 1.400.

For (lie licensing poll, there will be 1.248,000 papers for the national issue, and 53.500 for the use of absent voters wbo are electors itt no-license areas. A total of 03.350 papers lias been allotted for absent voters from till licensing areas who will be away from their districts of registration on Wednesday next, and 208.000 for the following nolieense districts, where the question of local restoration is to he decided: Eden, Grey Eynn. Roskill, Olunemuri. Masterton. Wellington South, AVellingtou Suburbs. Ashburton. Onmaru. Clutha, Mataura, and Invercargill. The ballot papers are distributed in accordance with the estimated voting strength of each polling-place, and in addition to the voting forms, about folly-eight different electoral forms, and twenty-nine licensing forms, will he supplied to each polling-liooth. These include labels, instructions, envelopes, etc. There will he an average of three polling officers in each booth, in addition to the scrutineers, Each electoral deputy returning officer in charge of a liootVi is supplied with a pamphlet of instructions regarding the conduct of the electoral poll, and a similar hooklet relative to the licensing issues.

Some idea of the extensive organisation the Chief Electoral Offiic has had to undertake will he realised when Jt is stated that there will be 31 < 1 polling-places throughout, and that, the approximate number of polling officers engaged bv the Department is somewhere in the vicinity of 10-OFT. The regulations stipulate that all hotels must close at mid-day on polling clav.