Two Ballots Needed For Arts Society Council

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29985, 21 November 1962, Page 20

Two Ballots Needed For Arts Society Council

The re-election of Mr Paul Pascoe as president, the election as vice-presidents of Mias Olivia Spencer Bower and Professor H. J. Simpson as honorary treasurer of Mr D. B. Wilkie, and m honorary auditor of Mr B. F. Bicknel, ail unopposed, proneeded smoothly and quickly at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Society of Arte last evening, but the election, by batint, of tour council members was accxxnpbaiied only after members present had voted twice. Six nominees were listed on the ballot papers handed to members. The bottom name, of a member who had just resigned, was struck out. An instruction at the bead of the ballot paper requested members to strike out one name from the list. “That is, you strike out the name of the nominee you like least.” amplified Mr Pascoe, amid laughter, before the voting took place, “or the one you don’t want on the council.” Point of Order The voting had taken place and the ballot papers rad been by two scrutineere who were counting rates in an adjoining room when Mr W. A. Sutton, during the continuing of the meeting, rose to a point of order.

“I could only find two nominees worth voting tor cm the ballot paper, and I hope my vote won't be ruled invalid because I have not voted for all except one,” Mr Sutton said. Mr Pascoe, after confer-

ring with Mr G. C. C. Sandston. said that Mr Sutton had raised an interesting point. "Would it satisfy you if the rules are examined to clarify this point by the incoming council?”

Mr Sutton replied that he would like the point clarified then because be did not want his vote to be declared invalid. He thought other voters would be in a ■imitar potation.

He was supported by two other members. Mr Sandston said that the ballot paper carried the instruction to strike out one name, and this implied that four nominees should receive a vote. However, there was nothing in the society's rules to say that a person must vote tor aU nominees and therefore, from a legal point of view, be considered members did not have to vote for al!. He could not see why votes tor tour nominees. or fewer, would be invalid. Second Ballet

A member said that several of those voting had understood they should vote for four nominees. He therefore thought that if, in fact, fewer could be voted for, there ahotikl be a second bal-

lot. Hm motion that a second ballot be held was carried without dissent, and Mr A. A. Dean’s motion that the first ballot papers be destroyed was also carried. OounoHlore declared elected after the second ballot were: Mrs V. Eteom and Messrs A. A Deans. Stewart Mair and R. N. O'Rrttiy.