VOTES COUNTED IN RECORD TIME

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21534, 25 July 1935, Page 14

VOTES COUNTED IN RECORD TIME

RESULT ANNOUNCED AT 8.7 P.M. An hour and seven minute:-; sufficed for the counting of the 9271 votes cast at the 31 pollint! booths in the Lyttelton by-election yesterday. This is shorter by 11 minutes than the previous record for the electorate. The Smaller poll undoubtedly contributed to the dispatch with which the returns were made available at the office of the Registrar of Electors in the Government Buildings, but the returning officer, Mr J. J. McGahey, stated last evening that the officials at the various booths were to be congratulated on their quick and efficient work. Tho first result—from Duvauehelle —came in five minutes after the closing of the poll, and six returns had been supplied by 7.15. _By 8 o'clock all the returns had been supplied with the exception of that from Colombo street. This return was received by telephone seven minutes la or, and the final result of the first count was announced immediately. Mr McGahey said that 183 absentee, 208 postal, and 30 seamen's votes had yet to be counted, while tjiere would also be a number of votes by declaration. The scrutiny of the rolls and tne official count will be commenced immediately. AT LYTTELTON A crowd of more than 1000 persons gathered in Oxford street to watch the returns displayed at "The Press" office. The first return was displayed at 7.15 arid the final at 0.15. Mr McCombs arrived later and addressed supporters in the Returned Soldiers' Association rooms. Leaders oi the Labour party spoke.