Keen Polling

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 511, 14 November 1928, Page 13

Keen Polling

BIG STREAMS OF VOTERS

Blue Sky and Sunshine

BLUE skies and shimmering sunlight: Auckland was blessed for polling day of the 1928 elections. Electors, with the sweet benignity of summer in their hearts, went about the solemn business that will bring joy and melancholy to tired-voiced politicians to-night.

In the city there were few signs to set the day apart; yet, somehow, in all quarters, minds did not appear to be over-absorbed in the routine business of the day. In the shops and other foregathering places, the talk was mainly of politics, and relieved sighs, no doubt, were heaved when the city began to take its half-holiday. From nine o'clock the stream of voters flowed into the city booths, and little groups gathered outside the doors, many people wearing their partisan rosettes and insignia. A flapper, not so long the possessor of majority's golden key, sidled up to a table to set the great machinery in motion for the first time. “Got your number?” asks a clerk. The newly-franchised looks embarrassed, and her name is turned up on the roll. “Flossie Flapper, spinster,” calls the clerk, “one thousand umpteen and umpteen.” "That’s me,” says Flossie: but she i looks resentful at the mention of spinster. So the business went on. Electors came and went, some marching shyly, others confidently, into the dark booths where lines are struck out or left In. Toward mid-day, the voters increased in numbers, and at the big city booths—the Town Hall, St. Matthew’s, the Drill Hall, the Central Wharf, and so on, business was brisk. With the fair weather, and the intense interest in the election, the indications are for a record polling day in Auckland. NEWMARKET BUSY CASUAL POLICEMEN WATCH ORDERLY CROWDS AT BOOTHS Newmarket at noon—the busy shopping centre sweltering in the heat. It was just Newmarket, with trams,' cars, shoppers and workmen clustering into Broadway. But something unusual was happening. There was a crowd outside the Town Hall. People stood in groups, talking Intensely. Two policemen were among them. Such an occurrence was practically unprecedented. Newmarket police men have a well-deserved reputation for their singular ability to keep crowds from collecting. But it was polling day. Voters packed the hall entrance. It was beyond the domain of mere policemen to Interfere when politics had to be considered. “Now, what party . . , ?” A neatly-dressed young woman paused before she er|;ered the hall to vote. The importance of the moment was not lost on her. She giggled. She persisted in telling several friend 3 that it was her first vote. But she was just one of the everchanging crowd, if representative of her type. A short man, with a strikingly red beard, was having an argument with a group of workmen. Though his appearance was sufficiently descriptive he took intense delight in announcing that the working classes needed better representation. Capitalists’? The short man’s contempt was supreme. He jammed a much-worn bowler hat firmly on his head and stalked away with as much dignity as his stature would permit. Other voters were casual. A few strokes of the pen and their business was done. Some were almost ostentatious. They drove up in cars, alighted with a great show of importance, and left just as magnificently. Opposite the Grammar School, the Mountain Road polling booth saw a steady stream of voters in the City East electorate. Parnell voters, too, were early to move. The Parnell Rise and the St. Stephen’s College booths were the rendezvous of people agog as to the outcome of the election, from the beginning of the voting period. It was obvious that the interest in the election was keen. The voters showed deliberation'in their choice mostly and lingered to discuss the prospects of the day. At every booth the crowds were orderly.

assembled from the opening of the booth. Little groups of electors were scattered around from the post office to the institute, evidently discussing the merits and demerits of the various parties and the ‘‘wet or dry” issue. Within the booth a feeling of subdued peace was apparent. Electors tiptoed into the recesses as if afraid of the importance of the power they held in their hands for the day. INTEREST IN LICENSING HEAVY POLLING EXPECTED Press Association. INVERCARGILL, To-day. The weather is fine but overcast for the election, and heavy polling is anticipated, especially in Invercargill, where the restoration issue is exciting keen interest. Sir Joseph Ward’s return is- regarded as certain. Mr. P. A. de la Perelle's (United) prospects of recapturing Awarua are good, and a close contest is expected :*i Wallace between Mr. Adam Hamilton (Re* form) and Mr. W. E. Taylor (United). FINE IN SOUTH ISLAND SURPRISES ANTICIPATED KEEN CONTEST AT CHRISTCHURCH Tress Association CHRISTCHURCH, To-day. The weather is fine tor polling day, and voting has been steady all the morning, showing every Indication of a record poll, particularly In Christchurch North, where there Is a keen three-cornered contest. Some surprises are expected. IN OTHER CENTRES STEADY FLOW OF VOTERS IN DUNEDIN Press Association DUNEDIN, To-day. Election day commenced with dull weather, with a steady flow to the booths from their opening and every indication is for a big poll. Rain set in at noon. MASTERTON’S HEAVY VOTE INTEREST IN LIQUOR POLL Press Association MASTERTON, To-day. The weather is fine but overcast for the election. The liquor question Is overshadowing that of returning a member. A very heavy poll is expected. POLLING QUIET INTEREST AT WELLINGTON Press Association WELLINGTON, To-day. Brilliant weather prevails for the election to-day. Polling has been proceeding very quietly during the morning, but it is expected to liven up from now on. Keen interest is beinp manifested in regard to the Wellington North, Wellington East and Hutt seats, for which voting is expected to be close.

AT PONSONBY

Around the polling booth at the Leys Institute a moderate crowd was