WESTLAND ELECTORATE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1925, Page 1

WESTLAND ELECTORATE

AYEDXKSDAY'S POLKING

Considered in districts the following analysis of the voting will he of interest generally :

At the last election three years ago when four candidates stood. Air O’Brien polled ”871. his increase this year being 11-11. Mr Setldon polled 2382. and his increase was 1618. The surplus votes three years ago for the other two candidates were 2162, but in addition there were 800 extra votes polled this time, making the full surplus 2762, which was divided as in the foregoing. Mr O’Brien thus obtained 11.1 and Mr B’oddon 7)8.6 percentage of tlie surplus votes available from last election pins (lie new enrolments.

The counting of the Westland rolls s likelv to begin to-morrow and will

he carried out as speedily as ]>ossil>le. alter which the official count will take place. The scrutiny will he carried out in the presence of a scrutineer from each candidate, and the official count in the presence of the same representatives together with a Justice of the Peace.

The absent votes are coining steadily to hand now. The first, process is to check the names of those who voted with the electoral roll. This is done by comparing the signed declaration with the signature on the original card of enrolment. When the right- of the electors wlm voted as absentees are finally checked, their votes as a whole will he counted. Any votes in dispute as to identity or otherwise will lie submitted to the scrutineers before filial rejection or a decision otherwise. The writ for the Westland Election is due to he returned by next Thursday. and as the work in view of the closeness of the polling will have to he carried out. with especial care, the time in the, interval will he occupied fully with the work of scrutiny and recount. It is the intention of the .Returning Officer to work on steadily through each flay and well into the night so as to complete the task within the statutory time.

The packages of voting papers from the deputies are now coming to hand freely, hut the far south papers are not likely to reach here before Sunday night at the earliest. It is likely that the more distant votes hv absentees will not reach here before Tuesday or Wednesday next. Meantime there is much interest being excited as to tlie final result, of the polling.

s •s d o a '-Zl b r/i CJrey Valley ... 33 5 235 Otira Lino ... 117 205 Christchurch Hoad ... 128 83 (Jrovmouth ... 1437 1478 I’aroa-Canierons ... ... 101. .119 Kumara-Tereniakau ... 203 177 Staiford-Goldsbomuch .. ... 30 48 Arahura Valley ... 81 109 Hokitika i. ... 525 748 Kanicri-Ivokatalii ... 157 237 Kimu-AVoodstock 78 70 Russ Railway Lino ... .1011 58 Hot-s-AVaitaha .. 192 109 Smith Westland ... 100 238