BEFORE THE BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18282, 18 December 1919, Page 8

BEFORE THE BOARD.

VAST CROWD VIEWS RESULTS. SENSATIONS OF THE NIGHT. The great crowd that gathered before the “Lyttelton Times” and “Star” result board m Cathedral tSquare last evening repeatedly thrilled with excitement when tho figures came in. Now and again the noise was deafening, particularly when it was certain that two of the Christchurch seats were going to La bod r. Tho crowd stretched in a densely-packed mass from tho front of the screen right back to the walls of tho Cathedral, ono side of it pressing close to Warner’s Hotel and tho other going far over the Colombo Street tramlines. In fact, at nine o’clock there were groups of people opposite the Government Tourist Office, ana further on the space near the car shelter was all but impassable. In the centre tho mound by tho Godley Statue looked like a miniature grandstand. Tho results wore posted up with accuracy and dispatch. In addition, from the outer fringe of the throng, the figures could be seen easily against the brilliantly illuminated background. A lantern screen helped to keep tho spectators fully informed, and was particularly useful when a stirring telegram came in.

Sensations were frequent. The biggest of tho evening was undoubtedly tho messago from Awarua which was Hashed out at 9.45 p.m.—“Sir Joseph Ward’s defeat certain.” At six minutes to seven the board showed the first return, from Hurunui stating that Air J. G. Armstrong was setting tli© pace to Air Forbes, hollowing this came a brief hint of the progress of the fight. in Ellesmere. At 7.15 o’clock Kaiapoi sent in a progress return—Buddo 120, Jones 155, Williams 82.

Five minutes later figures from Christchurch (South caused the first real enthusiasm. The crowd learned that Mr Howard had scored 475 at Strickland Street to Air Holland's 281, and there were repeated cheers. Then camo the first big demonstration. A panel half-way up the board swung back and there came quickly into view the Battersea Street return—Howard 724, Holland 254. “ Only one man in it,” shouted the Labour supporters.

When the first return came in from Avon at 7.31, there was further cheering. At Worcester Street Air Carl had polled two votes, Air Russell 47, and Air Sullivan 79- Two or three more returns in quick succession left little doubt as to tho ultimate result. “ Any money on Dan,” said one young fellow. At Harrow Street, one of the candidates scored a single, and the crowd shook wth laughter. Christchurch North opened up at 7.35 with a lino from Cranford Street —H. T. Armstrong 234, L. M. lsitt 28G. Another return from Christchurch North at 7.40 was followed by news from Lyttelton that at Heatlicote Mr Al’Combs had a comfortable majority, and there was a cheer when tho figures went up. At 7.45 p.m. there was only one absolute certainty—Mr Howard for Christchurch South. For East there were three yetums up out of 17, for North two out of 13, for Lyttelton ono out of IS, and for Avon three out of 18. Hurunui, Ellesmere and Kaiapoi were moving slowly. At eight o’clock the crowd had aL tained its greatest density, and tho excitement. in regard to the Ohristclnirch seats was intense. Dr Thacker had just been announced as leading at five further polling places, and Air Howard's photo, had been thrown on the screen. Somebody said that Air Holland had “also started,” and, when the Caledonian Hall return camo in from Christchurch Enst, the same term was applied to Mr Hunter. A progress report from Christchurch North showed — lsitt 1353. Armstrong 930, and the spectators reckoned it was all over bar the speeches. _ At five minutes past eight the prohibition boards moved for the first time, and the crowd read out that “Dry” was going strongly in Christchurch. “Something doing on the Aron front,” was tho next announcement. Mr Sullivan’s photo, was screened and duly cheered. Then a message from the Baptist Church polling place stated tXinl the Labour candidate was increasing his lend and generally progressing favourably. Air Carl’s “duck’s egg” at Bromley added to the prevailing gaiety. Following tho pictures of a number of winners and a number of losers, some of whom were cheered and some hooted, the final licensing returns came along from Christchurch South. Continuance had scored 3771, State Control 305 and Prohibition 4303. “They’ve put it across us there,” said someone sadly. A late run by Air Hunter at Lawson Street brought a, crushing retort from tho Hiberian Hall in Dr Thacker’s favour—sSt> to 265—and the Liberal candidate had no further reason to tremble.

“ Prohibition has n clear majority In Christchurch North and Christchurch South,’’ flashed on the screen at 8.25 p.m., and the ladies round the base of the Godley Statue cheered excitedly, while the young men lining the stone wall groaned. “Sumner’s dry” was the next announcement, and the "wet” supporters began to bo restless.

The North Island did not come into prominence until 8.40 o’clock, when a return said that in Wellington Suburbs Mr R. A. Wright did not look like being beaten. Next was a, progress report from Awarua that caused general surprise—Sir J. G. Ward 954, J. R. Hamilton 1449. The Wellington Central .final, giving victory to Mr P. Fraser (Labour) was wildly cheered. There were no cheers a few minutes later when the screen said "Semple defeated.” Immediately after this came the Avon declaration, and there were repeated cheers for Mr Sullivan. Mr Isito’s win in Christchurch North lod to some boo-ing and counter-cheering, which was interrupted by more licensing figures. The Lyttelton result was cheered, and the outburst was repeated when the victory of Mr Savage in Auckland West became known. * The “State of Parties” Board read, at this stage—Liberals 3, Reform 12, Labour 5. A gasp at the change in Kaiapoi was smothered by cheering for Mr H. E. Holland’s win in Buller. A message from Parnell announced the defeat of Mrs F. E. Baume, one of the three women candidates in the election. From 10.30, p.m. onward the crowd was mainly concerned about the state of the licensing poll, and the various messages were eagerly scanned. Some of them read " Ashburton very wet. See the figures”; "Look out for the next—Dunedin Central Dry”; "Taranaki Dry ’ ’j "The next is wet—

Wairau”! “Hurunui for Continuance ” : and “ A Beauty. Hold your Breath.” Other ©lection announcements that caused a great deal of interest before tho crowd began to disperse were those concerning tho chance of a dead heat in Temuka, the unexpected Labour victory in Auckland Central, the ireform triumph in Hurunui, and tho final Awarua figures. At 1 a.m. it was announced that Continuance and State Control, combined, had a lead of 2000 over Prohibition. Even at this hour there was a crowd of fair dimensions, and each alteration in the totals was hurriedly summed up and noted. A section of tho huge crowd showed a reluotanoe to go home, and up to about throe o’clock this morning there were still over a thousand people waiting for the results. Interest at this stage centred veiy largely on the licensing issue, prohibition having gained a iead of 2683 at 2.30 o’clock. Tho crowd ap poared to bo largely made up of prohibition supporters, for as each return was flashed on the screen loud cheers were given if a prohibition majority was shown- During a lull in tho proceedings, moving pictures, mostly topi cal garottes, wore shown, but tho crowd was impatient, preferring results of the poll instead. The success of the result board could not have been assured without the very hearty co-operation of the telegraph and telephone staff, whoso courtesy and promptitude were nnioh appreciated by the “Lyttelton Times” staff. The telephone bureau had to handle about 1500 calls, in and out. The Telegraph Department put a Morse instrument in' tho “ Lyttelton Times” office, and the operator devoted himself entirely to the business of receiving election returns throughout the night Co-operation from the returning officers onwards enabled the results to be posted so promptly on tho “Lyttelton Times” board that they crowded on top of one another, and tho huge crowd was kept constantly informed of every movement from North Cape to tho Bluff. The first complete - return, from Christchurch South, sustained tne good record of Air T. W. Reese and his deputies, who have been first for the last fifteen years. As it was, fifteen out of the sixteen returns were in by 7.25 p.m., and tho final return, although ready at 7.20 p.m., woe delayed for twenty-five minutes owing to tho failure of a telephone connection. Air Reese had a much smaller poll than he expected. The voting by declare--tion was very small, and very few soldiers’ votes were recorded. At 3.16 a.m. it was announced on the screen that prohibition had a lead of over 3500, news which was received with cheering by the crowd. The operator then flashed a good-bye to the remaining members of the assemblage, who wandered reluctantly away to their homes. A WORD OF THANKS. In regard to board and screen arrangements, the “Lyttelton Times” Company, Ltd., is indebted to -ressrs Broadways, I-etliaby, lvelleway, Aslin and Thomas, and to the proprietors of Liberty Theatre for their kindness. Without their assistance it would have been impossible to make so complete and impressive a display. NOTES. For the first time in the Canterbury elections the Provincial (ii story of the Canterbury elections tho Provincial Council Chamber was not used yesterday as a polling booth. The reason for this was the readjustment of boundaries which carried the Christchurch South electorate as far as Armagh Street. This left tho Council Chamber almost on the northern boundary, and it was regarded as unsuitable for southern voterß. The nearest booth was the ■ Spiritualists’ Church.

The orthopaedic ward at the Hospiato as far as Armagh . Street electortal was a private polling place yesterday, and deputies went from bed to bed recording tho votes of tho patients. Many requests were made to returning officers for absent voters’ permits for persons who were bedridden, tho assumption being that with a permit a vote could be recorded at a bedside. This, of course, was impossible, a 3 all votes must be cast in an ordinary polling booth.

The returned discharged soldier with his name not on any roll had no difficulty in recording his vote yesterday. The usual procedure was for the soldier to present his discharge certificate and apply for a declaration form, which he filled in and signed to the effect that he had resided one month in the electorate. Ho was then handed the electoral and licensing voting papers, and fhese, when completed, were placed in an envelope and deposited in a special receptacle. Owing to the elections all work on tho waterfront was stopped from noon yesterday. At the termination of the electoral campaign at Ashburton on Tuesday evening, tho Alnyor (Mr R. Galbraith) congratulated the Ashburton electors on the fair and impartial hearing they had extended to the three candidates during the electioneering campaign. AT ASHBURTON. Tho keenest possible interest was taken in the election at Ashburton yesterday. There was a steady stream of voters in and out of each polling

booth in the morning, while during the afternoon and up till 6 p.m. both the interest in the contest and the number of voters going to each booth was greatly increased. There are 7537 names on tho roll and there was every indication throughout the day that the voting was going to be unusually heavy. The new returning officer. Air A. H. Cutler had thoroughly organised all districts in connection with the taking of the three separate polls, and had appointed capable ancl trustworthy officers for each of the forty-two polling booths, with the result that everything was carried through without a hitch.

OTHER PLACES. BULLER. [Per Press Absocutiox.l WESTPORT, December 17In returning thanks for his election Air Holland said that he intended as editor of the Labour Daily of Greymouth to conduct an educational campaign on tho West Coast. The Labour Party would drive Mf Massey and Sir Joseph Ward into oblivion where they should have been all the time. Air O’Brien said ho hoped that now tlio elections were over an would work for the prosperity of the West Coast, which was a great country. He intended to go back into the mines and work for industrial productivity.