76 OBSERVATIONS ON THE HARE SYSTEM 



slight modification of Clause VI., Sect. 115, secure this end by 

 two simple practicable methods. The first method introduced, 

 but afterwards altered by Parliament, eliminated all element of 

 chance in the distribution of quota-surpluses of the first and 

 second orders, by first determining the full or aggregate force 

 of all ballot-paper preferences 1, 2, 3, respectively, and pro- 

 portionally distributing First-order quota-excesses on the basis 

 of the independent aggregate distribution of all No. 2 

 preferences ; and all quota-excesses of the Second order 

 similarly on the basis of the ascertained aggregate distribution 

 of all No. 3 preferences. 



The second method suggested for arriving; at the same end 

 almost as perfectly as in the first method described is, while 

 determining, as in the existing law, the force of the No. 2 

 preferences for the purpose of allotting a corresponding 

 distribution of first order of any candidate's quota-excess, also 

 determine the full force of the No. 3 preferences in the same 

 individual candidate's original parcel {i.e., his first count). 

 Should a second order of quota-excess be secured subsequently 

 to any other candidate by the aid of the first quota-excess 

 division, let the latter portion of any quota-excess be allotted 

 according to proportion, ascertained under the original No. 3 

 preference votes of the elected candidate from whom such 

 surplus was obtained ; but, at the same time, limiting the 

 number of ballot-papers to be transferred to the proportion 

 which such original quota-surplus division bears to the 

 aggregate of all votes which go to form the quota-surplus of 

 the second order. The distribution of the due proportion of 

 votes which may have been derived from first votes and 

 lowest excluded candidate transfers to be distributed as nearly 

 as practicable in the proportion which the next available order 

 of preference is indicated upon such ballot-papers. The only 

 objection to this second method is that it is more complicated 

 and would involve more trouble and time in the final deter- 

 mining of the ballot. The balance of advantage, therefore, 

 remains in favour of the first method suggested. 



General Questions regarding the Working Remits of the Hare 



System. 



The question most frequently put to the writer during the 

 last four months regarding the working results of the Clark- 

 Hare System of voting at the recent election at Hobart and 

 Launceston shows how wide and deep is the interest taken in 

 the matter, and the ordinary forms of misconception of several 

 of the more essential features of the Hare system enable him 

 to understand more clearly what are the points which it would 



