POLLING TO-MORROW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19753, 28 September 1927, Page 13

POLLING TO-MORROW.

KEEN INTEREST AROUSED. VISITS OF PARTY LEADERS. HEAVY VOTING ANTICIPATED. The remaika'ule degrw of interest evinced in the Raglan by-election, at present the focus of New Zealand political thought, will culminate in polling tomorrow. The number of candidates, five, is unusually large and was equalled in only one contest at the last general election. Then the Reform, Country, Labour, Nationalist and Liberal parties were represented in the fight for the Bay of Islands seat and polled in the order given. This candidates are as follows: —A. H Waring, Reform; \Y. Lee Martin, Labour; T. Parker, Liberal; \V. J. Taylor, Independent Reform; C. A. Magner, Country Party. It was the appointment of Sir James Parr as High Commissioner in London that occasioned the last by-election—in Eden electorate on April 15, 1926. Mr. H. G. R- Mason, Labour, polled about 400 more votes than the Government candidate. Sir James Gunson, who in turn was some 2000 votes ahead of Miss Melville, Independent Reformer. The total votes cast were over 100 in excess of the gon eral election figures. A Reform Stronghold. For many years a Reform stronghold, Raglan electorate was emphatic in expression of its political thought on what have become traditional lines at the last general election on November 4, 1925. Then the late Hon. R. F. Bollard polled 4234 votes and Mr. E. Piggot, Labour, 1537. The two other candidates, Mr. S. C. G. Lye, Nationalist, and Mr. R. D Duxfield, Country Party, received bat meagre support. Raglan was one of the five European electorates in New Zea land contested by more than three can didates. Of 8151 effective voters on the roll, 6845 exercised the franchise. In view of the interest aroused in th» by-election owing to the large number of candidates and the participation in the campaign of the Prime Minister, Mr Coates, the Hon. A. D. McLeod, Min ister of Lands, Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, Sir Joseph Ward and other party stalwarts, a greater number may be expected to go to the poll than at the general election. Provisions of Voting. In such an agricultural distjict, the number of absentee voters is not likely to be very great, although some people have in the past lew days called at the Auckland electoral office to ascertain their I position. Those who, by three months' residence in another electorate have qualified for registration there,, are not, of course, eligible to vote for Raglan. The position of absentee voters is cleat. Registered electors of Raglan absent from the district not longer than three months on polling-day may record their votes by making application to any postmaster for a voting-paper. Likewise, those not on the roll but possessing the right to vote may make a declaration to that effect at any polling booth, under penalty of £SO for a false statement, ■» Votes cast tinder this procedure are carefully perused »* the end of the poll. Increase in Numbmr on 8011. In accordance with the Act, hotels in the electorate must close from noon and shops observe a half-holiday, which may be in lieu of the ordinary half-holiday, but factories may remain open, provided members of the staff are given time off to exercise the franchise. Unless the time so taken does not exceed an hour, nc deduction may be made from wages. Towns in the electorate affected include Ngaruawahia, l'uakau and Waiuau. Since the last general election, when Raglan possessed 8151 effective voters, 763 names have been removed from the roll, principally on account of removals from the district, deaths and changes of name by marriage, and 880 havu been added, making an effective voting strength at date of 8268. List of Booth*. Commencing at 9 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m. to-morrow, polling will take piece at the following booths:— Aka Aka, Public School. Buckland, Public Hall. Churchill, Public SchooL Glen&fton, Glenafton Collieries Office. Glen brook, Public SchooL Glen Massey, Public School. Glen Murray, Public SchooL Hopu Hopu (mobilisation base) {Taopiri), the Public Works Department Office. Horotiu, Public Hall. Huntly, Town Hill Kaawa, Public School. Karamu, Public SchooL Kimihia, Public SchooL Koromatua, Public School. Naike, Public School. Ngaruawahia, Public Hall (principal). Okete, Post Office (Mr. Peart'* house). Onewhero, Public Hall. Opuatia, Public SchooL Otaua, Public School. Port Waikato, Mr. E. Spargo's B<«ra. Pukekawa, Public School. Pukekohe East, Jericho Hall. Pukekohe Hill, Mr. E. J. Evans* Garage. j Pnkemiro, Public School. Pukemiro Junction, Clare and Partner's Store. Pokeowarc, Public School. Puni, Public Hall. Rajjian, Courthoas*. Rsngsnri West, Mr. Baron's Hoaiw. Rotokaari, Public SchooL Rotongaro, Farmers* Union Hall. Rotowaro, Pobiic JVhooL Ruakiwi, Public School. Ruapuke 'Aoteai. PnbLe School Taupiri, Public School Ts A kail. Public School, Te Kowhanga, Pnblic School. Ti> Kowhas. Public School. Te Mate. Pnblic School. Tc I'ku, Memorial Hall Tnakan, Public Ball Woimai. Mr, H Wilson's Hocm. Wainjraro. Public Hall. Wairamaraaa, Public School. Wa'tettmu, Psibhc School. Wainku. Public Hall Whangrarata, PnMic SebooJ Residence. J Wha* aurhata. Public S<-hry>L 1 VtV-vileigb, Mater* Public School,