POLL EARLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 223, 23 September 1887, Page 4

POLL EARLY.

We can see a crop of troubles arising from the appointment of only one°polling booth in the large city and suburban electorates. The new rolls have an average of 2,000 names upon them, and as there are only ten hours during which the polling can take place it follows that to poll 1,500 votes the Returning Officer must issue and check 150 votes an hour, or an average of 2i a minute.. This would be a comparatively easy matter if the stream were a steady and unbroken one, but there are intervals in the day during which comparatively little will be done, while at other times, particularly between twelve and two and five and seven, an overwhelming • rush may be expected unless employers facilitate matters by letting their men leave work to vote throughout the day. We hope that this will be done, for otherwise a deadlock is inevitable, and a large number of electors will be prevented from exercising their privileges. The Returning1 Officer is bound by law to exclude all but six voters from the polling booth at one time; to open at 9 a.m., and close at 7 p.m. sharp, no matter who is left unpolled. Within these limitations, on a moderate computation, he must, as we have shown, issue 2|- papers per minute, and put the usual questions to any elector who happens to be challenged. The work can only be done with the co-operation of the public in resolving to poll early, and we trust they will cordially endeavour to aid the several Returning Officers in the discharge of their onerous duties. It may be mentioned here that an important and salutary change lias been made in the form of ballot-paper this year, wliich renders the disclosure of a man's vote to the Returning Officer or the scrutineer absolutely impossible. The flap containing the number of the vote previously was only folded down. In the new set of papers the corner with the number is gummed down like an envelope, so that before the Returning Officer himself could ascertain how a man had voted, it would be necessary for him to break the seal. Electors need have no fear whatever of the disclosure of their vote—under the system of voting, the secret is absolutely inviolable. The Returning Officer himself knows as little ajbout the matter as the man in the moon. All the papers are sealed *up in the presence of witnesses before they are removed from the polling; booth.

Captain Edwin advises at 12.30 p.m. today : —Every indication of a norbn to west and south-west gale, with more rain and a further fall of the glass.

At the R.M. Court yesterday, decision was given in the case of Thorne v. Taylor, a claim for £112s, solicitor's fees. Plaintiff was nonsuited, on the ground that the bill of costs had nob been delivered to the defendant within seven days.

Apparently the hard times are causing a number of persons to turn their attention bo the land. At the meeting of the Crown Lands Board yesterday a number of applications for land were dealt with, and large sections of Crown property are to be put up to auction.

We are requested to call attention to the poll which is to be taken on Monday next, 26th inst., at Mount Eden, for the" water supply loan. The Local Board has chosen this day as being most convenient for the ratepayers, most of whom no doubt will vote at the election for a member for Eden. The polling place has been fixed to be at a building on the ground where Crockett's house formerly stood. Arrangements will be made to procure the attendance of the ladies who have votes in the district, and as they are particularly interested in the supply of water, there is no doubt they will be to the fore with their votes.

The following tenders have been received by Mr John Mitchell, architect, for the erection of Mr Johnston's new store and post-office in Otahuhu : —Hirst and Co., £663 (accepted); Moore and Co., £683; Wooler, £690; Scurrah and Co., £704; Johnson and Holman, £707 ; Jones and O'Connor, £736 ; Bibby and Co., £742 ; Colebrook, £772; Hutchison and Son, £778; Sbackelton and Johnson, £791; Cleghorn and Rosser, £800; Mell, £814; Hanson, £868.

Messrs Moore and Ashton's Mammoth Minstrel Troupe gave a farewell performance last evening in the City Hall. As usual, there was a large attendance, and the various items on the programme were creditably performed and well received.

Wari trl ,aom-inß. before %S^ case will, therefore, <*H3**ttfc of to-day, as jg ouMe g reat?r JJ counsel and His Hrm! » addres ses 0 { *S* over Sunday, and it islXd i he disenfranchised on Mo <£ ? % J they will necessTrSv £ from recording their Ls SP 4** appear to be* paying treat „h to the case, several O fS atte* copious notes. Thei rriLr *** to-day, when Mr O'MeSMa6ll*2o«.ni.--scriptions, and it may bJWtoT?'** the city and subur£ teffiifeWS into districts, fohoivJng th t^ the various wards and w bQ,undarWioi thus allottedT'fflKg&* North (Nos. 1 anTI, M *S^ Mrs Moss Davis- cm s V cb >bs N Mrs Robertson ?hstJfc%&A Haines, assisted by Mi Ssl G l p-. f 2)> > (Nos. land 2), Mi 4 N^A** Ash well and Mrs Challia • IWIII, Peacock; Newton ffia SfeS Nathan and Mss Stevenson. b» Ul Newmarket, and E^TZ' i 5?« J. McCosh Clark and \f™'tr7 ** North Shore, fi itn^fij Nathan is president of the comX« 1 Mrs Bright (Glenside, sSfe the hon secretary. It is highly djif, that all charitable donation* {ATaSwanson) should be made through S medium of this excellent organiS

The new enterprise started by Mess, WongGongandCo. (tea, mercha^cS at the foot of Grey-strost, a few w«kZ! promises to become a great'aS'^ well satisfied is Mr wSng GonXthtk business done and the encouragement has received from tho Auckland pub that he has decided to mark his appS tion of Her Majesty's Jubilee Year X tnbuting a portion of his taking this novel form:—Each pound and half. pound package of tea will in future contain in addition to their ifragrant contents, a coin of some kind, ranging from a sixpenny piece to a sovereign. Any purchaser nay chance upon " the lucky packet," andtlnu receive splendid value for the money eipended in its purchase. We expect to heat of a run on this enterprising firm's tea after this. They have just received per v '' Woosung" several thousand pounds' worth of material for brewing "the cup that cheers."

There was a good attendance last evening at the social soiree held in the Pranldiii Road Primitive Methodist Church. The ladies of the congregation plentifully provided the tables, which were presided over by Mesdames Chambers, Wilson, (Men, Porteous, Maynard, Ward, etc. The Rev. C. E. Ward took charge of the after meeting, when short, interesting, and practical addresses were delivered by Messrs Walker, Booth, Maynard, Jones, Chester,.. and Weeks. The speeches were interspersed with some good music by the choir-Mr Dimery, leader; Miss Booth, orgpanisk

Our Tuakau correspondent writes: "Tenders are out at last for felling bush on the line of road extending from the Punt to Mr Hamlin's special settlement at Knipo in mile lengths of a chain width. This is a desideratum these times of little employment, and will tend to relieve the tension of 'election on the brain,' whichßeemsto possess the folk. Repairingand ornamentation to the places of meeting is a present industry. Some time ago a chancel fas added to the beautifying of St John's, while, to suit the taistes of the mcogd, the cross that erstwhile surmounted t|« belfry has been expelled the position; tie glorious Southern Cross, however, still shines through the windows of the Established Church in undisturbed tranquillity. The Church of England conimuhity arete be congratulated upon the chaste and elaborate piece of architectural work displayed in their chancel window. It reWs great credit upon the manipulator, Mr Re veil, and is a special feature in the w trict. The Roman Catholic Chapel is aw, in course of renovation.

The ordinary meeting of the Grown lands Board was held yesterday afternoon, wta there were present: Messrs D. A. low (Crown Lands Commissioner), Baber, Pierce. Dr. Campbell. Crown grants issued to Joseph Smith, Kaipatiki, and B. Skelton at Whakapirau. An application from (M Lacassie to sell totai*a piles offM^eg at Opuawhanga was referred to theOrow Lands ranger to report. Extension of time was granted to John Ernest, ah m stead settler, in order that he .nighjgg his conditions. An application from aaoM soldier named Patrick Bi*owii to tajj be allowed to occupy lot. ft « Waimana, was referred to the Na i e» partment,' Permission was ß«t*W Rev. G. Aitkento:lea S eLot7l,pon«« Mongonui East, containing 13 Mjjjg to a small rental to the Defence Depa» they also reserving the right to Mtft session whenever the reservemighU.» quired. Several applications fe»Wg fi, cut down trees on Crown lands J referred to the d strict surveyor toJ mation. The appbmtion oG. Graf Crawford for lot 91 and sect on 9 Whangaripo river was g^« to defray costs o*W 0 nthJJ «£j| of the Board of Education »£SMKjg| Sat lob 197, parish of Marerctu, mgff 4J acres, and 5 acres, section jyto* Takahue be reservedl as .scum Permission was granted .« eS*S County Council to takgaroad^o^ g land in thes parish of jggfif Wlto h to Messrs F. and \\. Mj^V P?/ to capitalise *eir "W^^^, interest thereon. An WEfepW Brabant for leave to remove 3» Pg £ „ afc Te Puke was refused. ta .JP^oa application from Mr W.W•f^.Jfa* befialf of the settlers m the WP*! reretu homestead .^JjKtW* that the block be soldL on w*^ buyer allows a road a.chain « fcof ]otl4l,parishof Paparoa >n routine business was also transac The Treasurer of .^gg& Gift Association acknowledge ts . f donarcot^tt loup and Looper s, <*"* friends

Mr J. B. Gilfillan, *^ ap poin^ fromavisitto London has bjJJ * sole representative in Sj*^*.. ff well-known firm of M**V£ jtito Poison, cornflour aanufog^ as well as agent tor.someJ^,* V houses. Mr GiMItaJJ «J, should * knowledge of mercantile W sure him success m busmes. e rf G« consul that Tuesday next, the,27M^ fc „» * last day on which full allowed.-[ADVT.] , MrL.H. Scharrer's probj PWe have much p£ o fe attention of our « stores, Victona-stoe. -■gWj economical and rejabte » ,gg ing. regularj^fift B*^ street.-[Advt.] ;

!^ 1 o'clock this morning a roof of Messrs. Kean jb^.ti kiln !? John- strecfc' 3 BroJ"Tlfdamage done was very K>*. S ba repaired at a cost of s^sbe*M caused by the heat Mr Justice Ward held a meetffisßo" 01 u, O this morning, when the i^^Ss'transacted: In the 9feßSSwd effects of Robert Si^/Lon (deceased) intestate Mr fel^Sbved that letters oi adamount of. the bond be re»'dft two Prospective shares. His by«s the order as prayed. W Crf the wi" of Edward Skeljn the matter «m Mahony moved for wfffUed to Margaret Skdton, P^tKamed in the will. Order *'2f to "he matter of the will of Conway, deceased, Mr GW d that probate be gi anted in C!eado» BOVn is Honor granted the order 'fWdle^e another lecture on the Ihimed for his scheme of rad?lal^ ay oun(r Men's Christian Aim ?>f evening under the aus- «£ Skland Athenamm. MrE W? .J The lecture dealt with &C and fibres which have tke published in this conrePtd was of an explanatory and ®m- Smeter. Mr Vaile argued to should be conducted *8K3 developing lettlement and <t country, rather than "C. sake of mere money gain. * LrM that increased traffic would S|S befall in the receipt. S would follow lower charges, ana held * Zion andnotdistance.should be ?ST£U Messrs Oliphant, S White, and others asked quesSsoote on the subject at issue, and Sianks was subsequently passed to S after which the meeting termin-

tasmall excitement was caused down .Ken-street Wharf about a quarter iUe to-day by the sudden aisappearAd a young man over the side. Mr ZamM ™om theaccidenthappened, Skinedovra close to the weather side, Zhishatwas blown off, and missing his Ihe wiS compelled to take a sudden and itoy bath. Fortunately two youths Lied to be close at hand m a boat, and VrCreenaway was rescued but little the nwforhui ecld-water experience. JMric lifting is proposed to be applied Dtlestreete of Wellington. At a meeting j! Wellington City Council last night a iiStßwas read from Dr Lemon stating that it Commissioner of Telegraphs had given lis permission to advise the Council re Uftg the streets with electricity, and festothe proper installation. The Comjsper had also given him power to use feftgnipb poles, and had granted such afeas tbe Electric Lines Act will perji Dr Lemon has promised the Council iJdK of a dynamo of 400 lamp power, diiiichto make a practical test. _ The BBittee have not yet presented their refitto the Council on the subject. ItWGet Sick.-Expose yourself day tiiijlit, sit too much without exercise, work stodfithoutrtst, doctor all the time, take Me nostrums and imitations advertised, ppifill want to know