ISTHMIAN POWER BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 50, 1 March 1922, Page 6

ISTHMIAN POWER BOARD.

APATHY OF RATEPAYERS. LITTLE MOEE THAN ONE-FIFTH VOTE. CLOSE POLLING FOB, PREMIER PLACE. The poll of ratepayers in the Auckland Electric Power Board district for the election of the twelve members of the first board illustrated an astonishing apathy on the part of electors in this important public enterprise. Out of a total roll of 27,000 fewer than 5000 electors took the trouble to record their wishes as to the personnel of the body that is to control the supply and cost of electric current over the Isthmian area. The heaviest polling was at the Chamber of Commerce, where 755 votes were cast, the Mount Eden polling places accounting for 522, Onehunga 408, Newmarket 400, Mt. Albert 284, Drill Hall, Rutland Street, 266, Leys Institute 169, Remuera depot 130, and Papaknra 114. This afternoon there were still seven of the twelve Afanwlm.il County returns to come in, the five to hand accounting for 200 votes. After the closing of the poll at 6 p.m. yesterday the returns began to trickle in from the 59 polling places in prompt time, and shortly after 9 o'clock Mr. P. F. Notley, the returning officer, had the figures completed from all save seven small polling places in the Manukau County.

If any alteration is made to the result by the addition of the votes from these seven returns, it can only affect the lowest of the twelve candidates who at present appear to have been successful, and then, judging from the cumber of votes east at the other Mannkati polling booths, only in the event of solid plumping. The present state of the poll places the 21 candidates in the following order, the letters P.C. indicating that the candidate was on the Progressive Crtraene , Election Committee "ticket" and L.B. the City and Suburban Local Bodies' "ticket": —

1. W. J. Holdsworth, P.C, I*B. 2858 2. J. Park, P. 0., L.B 2857 3. E. H. Potter, P.C, L.B. 2589 4. H. T. Goldie, P.C. ,*. 2511 5 R. G. Clark, P.C, L.B 2477

6. J. Dempeey, P.€., L.B. . 2441 7. S. J. Hartratt, P.C. 2203 8. J. Kowe, Ind. 2108 9. £. I. Crookee, P.C. _~ 2002 10. M. J. Bennett, L.B. . . 1960 11. H. N. Bagnall, L.B 1921 12. T. Sloodworth, P.C., L.B , 1874 13. A. E. Lawry, P.C . 1822 14. A. M. Wilson, L.B _. 1797 15. E. D. McLennan, L.B. _..,.. 1656 Iβ. S. W. House, L.B. 1577 17. A. Spencer, P.C .. 1494 18. Miss E. Melrille, L.B. 1474 19. F. M. Hills, P.C 1454 20. W. R. Mackesy, Ind 783 21. E. 8. Pegter, Ind 764