INCIDENTS OF THE POLL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20244, 2 May 1929, Page 15

INCIDENTS OF THE POLL.

MARKING BALLOT-PAPERS*

LONG PERIODS REQUIRED. ]

CANVASSERS AND TICKETS,

The outstanding feature of yesterday's poll in Auckland City was the time required. by the average voter to wrestle with the ballot papers. Getting to a booth and obtaining the papers was a process easyoorl r accomplishment. The elector's troubles started when lie commenced to record his votes. Some who went to the booths with their minds firmly made up as to how they would vote and with reminder sheets to hasten the task of scoring out names got through the job quickly. The average of the quick ones was about five minutes.

Such persons, however, were in a decided minority. Many took possession of a screen as if they had taken a lease of the premises, or so it seemed to others who were patiently waiting. One elector who had seven company votes besides his own personal franchise was timed, and he managed to mark the eight sets of papers in the comparatively short spacs of 44 minutes. But another man who was approaching the sere and yellow took longer than this to mark one set. "'He was in the booth for about half tha morning," the deputy-returning officer said.

Every available screen and ballot box was pressed into service and apart from the time taken to record the votes there was no reported hitch in the conduct of the election. The day, generally, was fine, so that those citizens who can be tempted to vote only when the weather conditions are propitious had no excuse for failing to fulfil their duty on the present occasion. Motor-cars were available in plenty to carry voters to the booths and most bore marks indicating the candidate in whose interests they were giving service. Enthusiastic Canvassers. "Tickets," torn and tattered, littered the side-walks in front of all tho -busy booths and canvassers stood near the booth entrances., ready to thrust into the hands of electors tho names of the chosen of their various organisations. Many electors, firm in their own convictions, pointedly refused tc: avail themselves of the aid these "tickets" offered and passed disdainfully by with upraised hand or averted eyes. Asked what attention was being paid by the police to those who approached voters in this way, Inspector J. W. Hollis in charge of tho central district, said his men had been instructed to keep tho entrances to booths clear to avoid molestation of electors. Those held to be offending against the regulations had been warned to move on, but at the present juncture it was not possible to say whether prosecutions would follow. A case was cited to the inspector, in which a candidate for the City Council, standing at the entrance to the St. Andrew's booth in Symonds Street, introduced himself pleasantly to voters and informed them that his name appeared so many places removed from the bottom of the votingpaper. "We know about him," replied the inspector, "and we have issued a warning." Met the 'Wrong Man. In spite of many warnings concerning the right to vote by declaration numerous claims were .made and sponsored by some candidates on shadowy grounds. Tactful deputy-returning officers were able to explain the position satisfactorily in most cases and ia others they freed themselves from forceful attention by pointing to the notice concerning the penalty for making a false declaration. At one booth esch a claimant was unfortunate enough to encounter the returning officer, Mr. P. F. Notley, who, after hearing the claims, advised the would-be elector that even if he did vote by declaration the papers would be disallowed. The claimant was satisfied, but not so a partisan of one of the candidates. "Go to the Town Hall, they will let you vote there," she said. "I don't think they will." I am the returning officer," interjected Mr. Notley. ' With a murmured "Oh!" the canvasser moved on to attend to a newly-arrived voter. At Armstrong's Hall, Point Chevalier Road, there were strong protests against the ruling of the officer in charge that not more than six voters at one time would be allowed in the booth. This rule was adhered to strictly throughout the day, although it meant that during the greater part of the day smaller or larger groups of voters were outside waiting their turn. The slow progress of many, of the voters inside of course aggravated the delays and at five o'clock heavy, showers of rain discouraged sevt ral voters.They declined to be soaked while waiting , and left the booth.