WESTLAND ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1925, Page 3

WESTLAND ELECTION.

AN EXCITINC POSITION. THE CANDIDATES EQUAL. THREE VOTES TO COME. 'I he official scrutiny of the votes for the Westland electorate, announced in our Saturday’s issue as likely to be concluded by 7 o’clock that evening was further delayed, and it was not until 4.15 o'clock on Sunday morning that the Returning Officer and scrutineers had completed their labors as far ns was possible and it was announced that the position then was:— O’Brien 4,174 Seddon 4,174 With three absentee votes yet to he dealt with. The announcement of the tie added to the general interest of the position, and there is a keenness and much speculation as to tho filial position. The position as it now stands is that there arc three votes to come to hand and these will he the deciding factor as to 1 lie success of a candidate. 'The Returning Officer has been exceedingly careful in the carrying out of the scrutiny, anil the proceedings have spread over a long period, causing much comment a> to the alleged delay, but the actual position as it stands at present is perhaps the best reply to any criticism, showing as it does the actual necessity lor the greatest care being taken In- the Officer.

THE LATEST POSITION. Speaking to the Returning Officer before going to press we were informed that there was nothing further to report. At present he was awaiting a reply to a telegram from Christchurch, and was also searching among some 300 licensing voting papers for an electoral voting paper that had gone astray. “It may he live minutes, five hours or perhaps days, before an announcement is. made.” concluded Mr Coles.

A LATE DEVELOPMENT. A WESTPORT STATEMENT. The Returning Officer (Mr G. Coles) advised this afternoon as follows:—“The Returning Officer at Westport advised at 3 p.m.. that lie has amongst his absent voters papers six votes which he believes belong to Westland. “ No further progress can he made until these papers arrive at Hokitika.”