A DAY OF ISSUES.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14658, 6 May 1913, Page 10

A DAY OF ISSUES.

LAST WEDNESDAY'S RUSH

HOW IT WAS CONTROLLED

"As far as I am concerned I did not experience any difficulty with regard to the actual conduct of the election," remarked Mr G. W. Huimo, Returning Officer, in the course of an interview on the procedure authorised at the recent election.

Some trouble, ho *aid, had been caused through jvck of sulficient accommodation in tno different wards to allow of tho erection of five polling places in each booth to deal with tho five separate issues. That difficulty having been overcome by the substitution of marquees, it on.y remained a matter of manning these separate polling stations. This had revealed a very grave difficulty. There had been employed 195 deputy returning officers and '27C> poll corks and ushers, and the engaging of 6o many constituted tho only real difficulty oxportenoed. With regard to the conduct of tho ejections it had never been anticipated, he contended, that so many issues would ever be submitted to the e.ectors at the one time. 3>ealingwith them as ho diid by providing for each issue in a distinct and separate polling booth, and providing that each voter had only to deal with ono voting paper at a tune in a great measure simplified tho procedure. Ihere were, ho said, very few cases indeed where any block occurred in any of tho polling booths, as adequate arrangements had been made to avoid any congestion. One feature of the election which was found to bo of great advantage was the fact that when a voter presented himself or herself to vote at the first polling place, which was for the election of Mayor, he or she was given a card giving them their number on the roil, with instructions for him or her to present therafielves at each of the other polling places in proper order. That that arrangement proved effective was shown •>y the fact that the Mayoral returns were posted on the Tesult board by J ;f> Pm., whilst that of the councillors, which was a little more intricate, was announced sbortlv after 10 o clock, and the results of the halfholiday poll were announced by 8.30 P-m.

,}}* Hulme stated that he underwood that representations were to be made before the Municipal AssoriaWf 8 to be held in Welhngton in July nßxt not that not bo taken effectively, ™ iv *&* dislocation of business caused by'the engagement of close on SSJSSr* w ? 3 not b y means of a satisfactory character