LOCAL OPTION POLL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 24 November 1908, Page 2

LOCAL OPTION POLL.

Position at Hutt.

Jt' No-License Lost by 28 Votes.

The official recount of votes re *> corded at the Hutt local option ' commenced at eight o’clock on Saturday morning, and the result ' was declared at 7.45 p.m. as foP" lows:— ' ■ Continuance 2417 Reduction 2824 No-License 3592 Valid Votes 6034 Informal 80 One absent vote to come. No-License is thus lost by 28 2-5 votes, the nbmber required to carry that issue being 3620 2-5. The excitement was maintained all day, and the suspense was in-’ creased as no hour could be fixed, for the time of finishing the recount, and the people simply had to wait for the announcement. There were only a few at the booth when the figures were given out, and there was no demonstration of any kind. The town was lively in the evening, but the police were not called upon to interfere with anyone. Speaking la a Dominion reporter on the position yesterday, Mr Townsend said that so far no decision had been arrived at as to what would Le the next move. In all probability they would pay the deposit fur a further recount, and without any doubt the fight would go on. The officials presiding at the recount were: Mr R. Mothes (Returning Officer) Mr A. Coles, J.P., _ the Rev. T. A. Williams, and Mr -1 *" 0 Blair. The two last-named were the “ scrutineer-clerks,” representing the two sides. The figures before the recoun were:— ; Continuance ... ... 2377 Reduction 2842 No-License ... ... 3590 Valid Votes ... ... 5991 Informal ... ... 73 It will thus be seen that Continuance benefits to the extent of 40 votes. Reduction is increased by rB, while No-License is only increased by 2. The valid votes increased by 43 and the informal by 7. In both cases the votes total 6114, that is, including the absen-, tee votes, which are now given out at 50, with one to come. Of this one, telegraphic advice was sent, but it has not come to hand. It is possible that other absentees will come in as they can be received up to Wednesday, the writ and official' statement from the returning officer having to be forwarded to Thursday. It is pointed out that the Parlia-'*' mentary valid total, 6109, does not tally with the local option total, 6114- , ' y"f