SPEEDY COUNTING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 752, 4 May 1933, Page 11

SPEEDY COUNTING.

Proportional Representation System. OTHER CENTRES BEATEN. Christchurch, with its election conducted on the proportional representation system of voting, easily beat the other large centres of the Dominion yesterday in the quickness with which the preliminary count was completed. Although there was a record total of forty-three candidates for the election of councillors, the final result was available at 10.15 p.m., but in both Auckland and Wellington, where the elections were conducted on the first-past-the-post system, counting did not cease until midnight, and then the returns were incomplete. It is stated that in Wellington the official count is not likely to be completed for another ten days or more, but in Christchurch this work will probably be finished by Wednesday next. Particulars of the informal votes cast in the Auckland and Wellington elections are not at present available, but in Christchurch the number in the council poll was only 1024, compared with 1691 two years ago. This is regarded as an indication that the electors of Christchurch have now become thoroughly accustomed to the proportional representation system, which enables a positive instead of a negative vote to be given.

Had the election of councillors yesterday been conducted on the first-past-the-post system, it would have been necessary for each voter to strike out the names of not fewer than twenty-seven candidates. This task would have presented difficulties for a number of voters, and the probabilities are that the number of informal votes would have run into thousands. The adoption of the proportional representation system simplified the task of the voter, who could cast a valid vote by indicating only three preferences. In the opinion of the returning officer a positive vote is easier to record than a negative vote, especially where there are a large number of candidates. Official Count.

Promptly at 8.30 this morning a beginning was made with the official count, which is being conducted by Mr Albert Freeman, the substitute returning officer, who has now had considerable experience of elections conducted on the proportional representation system.

A special staff has been engaged for this purpose, and until the task is completed they will work from 8.30 to 1 p.m., 2 to 5, and 7 to 9 each day, receiving for their services one guinea a day. The first task undertaken this morning was the scrutiny of the. rolls, which is made to detect any cases of dual voting. This will probably be completed to-day, and a commencement will be made with the official count of the votes recorded in the Mayoral election, the result of which may be available to-night. The most important work to be done is the official count of the votes for the election of councillors. This is more arduous than usual owing to the large number of candidates, and it will probably take five days. A beginning will be made with this count to-morrow morning, and as it proceeds the fortunes of the various candidates will be watched with interest. The declaration votes must also be checked, and those that are allowed added to the count. In 1931 out of 1530 votes by declaration only 73 were allowed. Lost Deposits.

It cannot be determined how many candidates will lose their deposits of £3 each until the count has been completed. At the final count all candidates who do not receive as many as one-eighth of the votes received by the lowest successful candidate forfeit their deposits. On present indications thirteen candidates are likely to lose their deposits. They are: Messrs A. J. Patterson (Communist), P. R. Needham (Independent), L. F. Warburton (Socialist), W. H. Bayard (Socialist), R. H. Ellis (Communist), R. Macdonald (Communist), C. J. M’Kav (Independent), E. P. Crowther (Independent), F. H. Grant (Socialist), J. W. Roberts (Labour), W. Berryman (Socialist), C. S. Trillo (Independent) and S. M’Alister (Independent) .

There will also be some deposits forfeited in the Hospital Bor.rd and Harbour Board elections.