AN ELECTION INCIDENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7975, 28 February 1906, Page 7

AN ELECTION INCIDENT.

Ibe returning officer at a municipal election and his a mall army of officials had been at work at perspir- '* ing pitch throughout Saturday (says the Sydney Daily, Telegraph). When the poll closed they all gathered at the local Town Hall, and the work of Counting votes began. The Mayor, experienced in such duties, knew the arduousKess of the labour before them, and he knew, too, that it was calculated to develop both hanger and thirst. Amah of generous disposition, be had made adequate provision for such continency. The table in the Mayor's room was laden with assorted beverages, from the finest brands of whisky to the popular colonial beer, and there were heaps of choice, comestibles. For three hours or more the returning officer and his subordinates struggled with arithmetical problems like unde-erads on examination day, but, at last the ordeal, was got through amidst the smiles of successful candidates and the downcast looks of the unsuccessful. All were glad that the tension was over, and that each knew his fate. Then a happy smile lit up the face •of the Mayor: "Gentlemen," he said, "suppose we adjourn from, labour to refreshment. Just come into my room." The whole company rose as one man to acaept the invitation —returning officer, pollclerks, scrutineers candidates and friends all famished and thirsty but all with faces beaming with pleasurable antioipaton. The spectacle which was revealed, indicated either a huge joke or a shocking catastrophe —evidently the latter Jrorn his Worship's disconcerted look. The room'bad been left unguarded during the afternoon, and early visitors had carried off all the whisky and beer, and devoured the appetising sandwiches, all that was left being a few bottles of aerated waters, which did not'seem to stand high in appreciation. Vigorous and un-aldermanic language was directed against the culprits, who had left no trace behind them. Happily, the prohibition, hour of the new Liquor Act had not yet struck and the difficulty was got over as far as possible, and with but little delay.