THE FIRST BALLOT

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17328, 17 November 1916, Page 5

THE FIRST BALLOT

CONSCRIPTION BEGIN!,

THE PROCESS OF SELECTION,

[FjIOM 008 CoEBBSPONnENT,]

WELLINGTON, November 16.

The firot compulsion oallot was opened to-day. There were just over four thousand names to be drawn. The Mayor/of Wellington, a representative of the Trades Council and six Pressmen, including a representative of the "Lyttelfcon Times,' * wore present to scrutinise the proceedings, watch the magistrate count the ballot marbles, and inspect the laying out of the boxes containing the roll of the Expeditionary Forces first division on long tables in tho order decided by chance. Ail the preliminaries were photographed by the Government kinematographer as'a national record. The first marble drawn was No. 156, which resulted in every 168th card in tho 194 boxes being turned up by the girl assistants. Some cards were blank, others; were of men in Auckland City, Nelson, Hawke's Bay and Wanganui, which have provided full quotas, therefore tho cards bearing the number in these districts were turned down. The first draw resulted in 120 selections, the process taking twenty minutes. Another turn of the drum, and marble "No. 345 was picked out. Thus tho process will go oh till the required number of names have been obtained. [Pfji Pebss Association.] WELLINGTON, November 16» The first ballot under the Military Service Act was commenced by tho Government Statistician this morning, Mr S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., supervising. The Mayor of' Wellington (Mr J. P. Luke), the president of tho Trades Council (Mr M. J. Reardcn) and Press representatives were present It is expected that the balloting will conclude as midday tb-morrow. The Minister of Defence states that the names will not be published until they are gazetted.