RE-COUNT OF VOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26624, 21 November 1947, Page 6

RE-COUNT OF VOTES

LITTLE CHANGE LIKELY FIRST MEETINGS OF NEW BODIES While the main conversation in the city yesterday was based on the overwhelming reversal of Labour in the local body elections, the returning officer, Mr H. E. Lyon, and his staff were engaged on the arduous task of scrutinising the rolls and re-counting the votes. In addition, there are approximately 200 declaration votes to be checked and counted. It is expected that the final figures for the city mayoralty and the City Council will be available this evening, and it is hoped that those for the Harbour Board and Hospital Board will be announced on Monday. Margin of 208 Votes While there is little likelihood of much change taking place in the Mayoral, Hospital Board, and Harbour Board results, the final count could affect the position of candidates in the City Council election. The twelfth elected candidate, Mr E. J. Smith (Citizens’) has a lead of 208 votes over Mr P. G. Connolly (Labour), the thirteenth man on the poll. As there are 200 declaration votes and as it is possible that some error may have occurred, it is conceivable, but not probable, that Mr Connolly could overhaul Mr Smith in the recount. Mr Connolly was closely followed by Dr D. G. McMillan (Labour) with 15,254 votes, but there was a substantial gap between Dr McMillan and the next candidate, Mr R. Walls (Labour), who polled 14,583 votes. Although no final arrangements can be made until the official count is completed, and the successful candidates are declared elected, it is probable that the first meeting of the City Council will take place on Wednesday morning, when a Deputy Mayor will be appointed and the committees set up. * Already there is speculation as to which councillor will be the new Deputy Mayor. This appointment is usually made on the recommendation of the Mayor. Another interesting appointment will he that of a chairman of the Transport Committee to succeed

Mr J. McCrae. If the declaration of the successful candidates is made in time, it is expected that the first meeting of the new Hospital Board will be held next Thursday, when a chairman will be elected and committees appointed. The statutory annual meeting of the Harbour Board is set down for Thursday, December 11, when a chairman will be elected. Deposit Lost Expressing his appreciation of the services of those who had assisted at the booths, the returning officer, Mr said that of a staff of 640 not one failed to report, and all connected with the poll had worked conscientiously. Everything had gone very smoothly, and no difficulties had been encountered at any of the booths. Mr Lyon mentioned that only one candidate, Mr S. Ikin, the Communist contestant for the City Council, had lost his deposit.