NIGHTMARE FOR ONE RETURNING OFFICER

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 2, 28 September 1943, Page 6

NIGHTMARE FOR ONE RETURNING OFFICER

Dominion ' Special Service. MASTE'RTON, September 27.

To the Wairarapa electorate returning officer, Mr. J. W. Holland, the gathering in of the returns on election night was a nightmare. Mr. Holland, who has been 40 years in the Post and Telegraph Department, was well ahead with his returns till the fifth progress report was issued. The person who was bringing iu returns from au outlying booth failed to telephone the returns through, but left for Feath'erstou by car. The car broke down and there was a long delay iu the returns coming in. There was sueh a long delay in the returns from Silverstream that a car had to be sent from Featherston for them. There was also a long delay iu the returns coming from 'Wallaceville. At Trentham, where there ■were two booths, tlie results from one booth only were sent in.‘ a fact which was discovered today, and lhe figures have to be amended accordingly. The returns from the other booth, at Trentham were: Crawford, 15: Maher, 207; Roberts, 286; Smithson, 6. The total votes polled are now; Crawford (Democratic Labour), 384; Maher (National), 4304; Roberts (Labour), 4391; Smithson. 113. Majority for Rolierts. 87.