_(a)_1. Check the sorting of the papers, i.e., see that the candidate whose papers are being counted is the highest available preference.
2. Place mis-sorts at the side of the table.
(b) 1. Count the papers into bundles of fifty.
2. Count each bundle twice.
3. Place on the top of each bundle a "transfer card" showing from and to whom the votes are being transferred.
4. Note each bundle with the number of papers therein contained.
These bundles were placed in a second series of open boxes on the returning officer's table, each box being labelled with the name of a candidate and being smaller in size than the boxes containing the first preferences. The number of next available preferences for each candidate was then ascertained. It was, of course, not the duty of the returning officer to transfer all the re-sorted papers; it was necessary to retain a "quota" for Mr. Asquith; and an operation which requires some care now took place. The papers contained in each of the second series of boxes were divided into two portions, bearing in each case the same proportion to one another. One portion was transferred to the candidate who had been indicated as the next preference, and the other was placed in Mr. Asquith's box, the portions reserved for him constituting his quota; the actual papers transferred to each next preference were those last placed in the box bearing his name. The details of this process are set forth in the table overleaf.
PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION ELECTION, 1908
TRANSFER SHEET
Distribution of the Rt. Hon. H. H. ASQUITH's surplus.