NEWMARKET COUNCIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23083, 7 July 1938, Page 16

NEWMARKET COUNCIL

DRAINAGE BOARD SEATS Doubts regarding tho efficiency of the present system of voting in municipal elections in tho suburbs was expressed at a mooting of tho Newmarket Borough Council last night. The large number of informal votes cast in tiiosa districts where voters wero required to mark out the names of thoso for whom they did not wish to vote was tho subject of reports by tho town clerks of the Onehuiiga and Ono Tree Hill boroughs presented at the meeting.

"This crossing-out system has resulted in tho practical disfranchisement of many electors on polling day," said Mr. H. McK. Gedcfes. '"in the interests, of uniformity we should try and get into line with tho opinion of other bodies in this matter.'' Other members concurring in this opinion, the council decided to endorse the principle. J'lio apportionment of seats on the Metropolitan Drainage Board also was discussed. Under the present proposals, it was stated, the Newmarket borough would he amalgamated with Mount Eden for voting purposes, two seats being allotted to tho combined district. The opinion was expressed that with this allocation Newmarket would be out-voted by Mount Eden and consequently would not have a member on the board.

It was decided to refer the matter to the chairman of the Suburban Local Bodies' Association.