ELECTION AT THE CHATHAMS

Otago Witness, Issue 3592, 16 January 1923, Page 7

ELECTION AT THE CHATHAMS

WELLINGTON, January 10. The deputy returning officer at tha Chathams has forwarded to the department here an interesting report on the voting for the general election. This' was the first occasion on which the islanders had the privilege of voting at a Maori or European and a licensing poll. The weather 4 was fine and this gave the electors residing at a distance a chance to avail themselves of the new privilege. Some old people voted for the first time in their lives, others for the first time for many years, and many young people for the first time since their coming of age. All seemed pleased that at last they had in this respect lieen placed on equality with the residents on the mainland. The majority of the electors rode many miles on horseback to the polling booths, some as far as 30 to 40 miles over unformed roads. One old gentleman walked 11 miles to the poll and 11 miles back. Most of those on the main island who were eligible to vote did so. The total number on the roll was 92 and only 10 did not vote. Great interest was taken in the official results from the mainland electorates which were received by wireless messages—a privilege that was greatly appreciated. Although this was the first occasion on which many voted it is interesting to note that there was not a single informal vote recorded, and there was not a 'single invalid or doubtful vote. The result of the poll was — M'Cartney, R. (Reform) 64 M'Combs, J. (Labour) 18