TRAMWAY ELECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 932, 30 November 1933, Page 11

TRAMWAY ELECTION.

Steady Polling Throughout the Day. HEAVY VOTE EXPECTED. To-day’s poll in the Tramway Board election will probably be a very heavy one. In the past interest in this election has not been very keen, but on this occasion both parties have organised very actively, while the entry of a large number of independents lias served to give the campaign added interest. Polling was steady all the morning, the officials at most of the booths being given very Jew idle moments. The use of old tram trailers as polling booths was a novelty that proved popular, many electors going out of their way to record their votes in them. The party organisations were busy during the day ensuring that as many people as possible recorded their votes. Because of the unusual degree of public interest in this election, the “ Star ” will display details of the polling over its Cathedral Square entrance this evening. The booths will close at 7 p.m. and it is expected that the first returns will be to hand before 7.30 p.m. In addition to the board, the results will be announced through a public address which has been installed by Mr E. G. Shipley. As has *been the case in previous elections, the facilities provided hy New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd., will be available to candidates to address the big crowd that is expected to assemble in front of the “ Star ” office to-night.

REDUCTION OF STAFF.

How Mr Thompson Dealt With Surplus. Replying to statements made in connection with the tramway election, Mr Thompson stated to-day that when the board was faced with a surplus of 12 men and had to reduce its staff by that number, he was instructed to submit the names of the men to be discharged. The task was one of difficulty. He did not, however, submit the name of Mr John Mathison, not because his record was much better or much worse than several others, but because he was president of the Tramway Union. Mr Thompson and Labour. Mr Frank Thompson, the general manager of the Christchurch tramways, states that the allegation made by certain Labour candidates that under no circumstances would he serve under a Labour board is quite incorrect.