HEAVIER POLL

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20495, 11 May 1938, Page 6

HEAVIER POLL

ELECTORS VOTE EARLIER INTEREBT IN HAMILTON ACTIVITY AT ALL BOOTHS Indications that to-day's poll for the municipal elections will be a record one were given early. A steady stream of electors attended the central polling booth at the Drill Hall in Knox Street and throughout the morning the polling was earlier and heavier than it was at the last municipal elections in 1935. At the Knox Street booth, where 12 returning officers were stationed in the morning, over 200 votes were cast in the first hour, which was about twice as many as in the first hour of the previous polling day. Polling was slightly earlier and heavier than in 1935 at the other booths at Pearson’s Hall, Hamilton East, Liberty Hall, Rostrevor Street, Masonic Hall, River Road, Claudelands, the Public Hall, Frankton, and the Methodist Hall, Maeroa. The larger poll is evidence that citizens are taking a greater interest in the elections. No doubt this is a result of the tickets, which have been Introduced for the first time in municipal politics in Hamilton. About mid-day the rush at the central booth was most pronounced. In contrast to the election day of 1935, the weather was fine to-day. Hundreds of people walked to booths but hundreds of others were driven in the dozens of cars which were placed at their service by the candidates and the executives of the parties contesting the poll. The formation of parties having created a more lively contest, a greater number of cars were provided for the electors-