START MADE IN RECOUNT IN RAGLAN ELECTORATE

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5328, 14 February 1947, Page 5

START MADE IN RECOUNT IN RAGLAN ELECTORATE

HAMILTON, last night, The magisterial recount of votes polled in the Raglan electorate at the General Election was begun in the grand jury room at the Hamilton Courthouse this morning. Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M., presided. Mr. Halyburton Johnstone, National Party candidate at the election, on whose application the recount is being made, was represented by Mr. A. L. Tompkins, and the Labour, Party candidate, Mr, A, C. Baxter by Mr, T. P. Cleary, of Wellington. The recount was condueted in the same mapner as the official recount with the exception that a magistrate presided. Major G. E. Pollock, special returning officer for Japa'n, arrived in Hamilton last night, and was present at the recount this morning. Mr. J. H. Halliday, returning officer for Raglan, was also present. Members of the public and the Press were not admitted to the re- ' count, which was confined to the*-pre-siding magistrate, the two counsel for the candidates, the two feturning office, rs and court officials. While it is generally expected that the recount will occupy two days, no reliable estimate could be made as to how long the task would actually take. i The magisterial recount is entirely separate and distinct from the election petition lodged by Mr. Hallyburton Johnstone, in assoeiation with the National Party, and which will ue heard by the Fleetoral Court. On the night of the election Mr. Baxter had a majority of 45 votes, but this margin was reduced to 39 in the official recount.