WRONG DIRECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17525, 30 April 1925, Page 8

WRONG DIRECTION.

ERROR IN BALLOT PAPERS TROUBLE AT AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 29. •Some time alter the opening oi the poll this morning consternation was caused among officials at the main polling booth at the Town Hull by tlio discovery that the ballot papers for the election of city members of the Harbour Board contained a wrong direction. The ballot papers were headed, “City of Auckland. Election of Three Members of Auckland Harbour Board. * I hen followed the name oi' nine candidates, tiic voter being directed to place, a cross against the names ol candidates J'or whom ho desired to vote. lhe number of members to be returned for the city is Jour, not three. Ihe mistake was not discovered until au elector drew attention to it at about 9.30. or half an hour after the poll was opened. By that time tuo or throe hundred electors had recorded their votes. Alter the discover;' was made, pulling clerks were set t«> work marking out lhe word “three,'’ and substituting “four*' in pencil. By that time, however, it seemed probable many of the electors had obeyed the erroneous instructions on their papers, and voted lor three candidates. How many did so vote will he discovered when the papers are scrutinised after the closing of the poll to-night. It is considered inevitable that the result ol this mistake will he cost- | Jy. necessitating another election. The , statement is made that it is certain one of the defeated condidates will have the election upset.