POLLING TO-DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 169, 19 July 1941, Page 8

POLLING TO-DAY

WAITEMATA SEAT

five candidates in field

Following a campaign marked only by relatively small interest among electors, polling took place to-day for the Waitemata seat, rendered vacant by the death on active service of Captain W. J. Lyon. The fact that there is no Nationalist candidate, coupled with a general election being due in November, is generally regarded as the reason for lack of interest. Polling is therefore not expected to be heavy, though the fine weather is bringing out more voters than might have otherwise been the case. ~ , r , r The candidates are Mrs. M. M. Dreaver, official Labour; Mr. W. B. Darlow, Independent; Mr. N. V. Douglas, Democratic Labour; Mr. P. R. Gardner, Independent, and Mr. H. T. Head, Pan-New Zealand Political Union. Streamer festooned cars and ribbon decorated residents on the North Shore this morning were indications that this was more than just a fine Saturday. Whereas usually husband or wife does the week-end shopping, this morning couples were seen to be leaving home together carrying baskets on their way to the polling booths—by way of shopping centres. Although a few residents were ready to cast their votes a( nine o'clock this morning when the booths opened, most electors did not Venture out much before 11 o'clock. The 36 polling booths- stretch throughout the electorate from the Helensville district in the north to Baysvvater. The polls close at seven o'clock this evening.