Williams S. Barnes, assistant dean of the Law School, overwhelmingly topped the Cambridge School Committee ticket after the first unofficial count. His 5,155 votes made him the only candidates to reach quota on the first ballot.

The Cambridge Civic Association's other two leading candidates, Gustave M. Solomons and Catherine T. Ogden, nearly tied each other for third and fourth places. James F. Fitzgerald took a comfortable second, Anthony Galluccio '39 fifth, with Daniel J. Hayes, Joseph E. Maynard and George F. Olesen, Jr. all fighting for sixth.

Sadness struck CCA hearts Saturday, though, when Solomons collapsed during the count in the Longfellow School Auditorium. City Councillor Alfred Vellucci, who caught Solomons and prevented his falling to the floor, said he apparently suffered a stroke. He was still on the danger list yesterday in Cambridge City Hospital.

In another development, defeated Councillor Charles A. Watson will ask the Election Commission, pending a District Court decision Nov. 23, for a recount. Watson said that should the Court rule the 104 allegedly questionable absentee ballots invalid such action could "materially affect the distribution of surplus votes."

The total surplus vote was almost 2,000, so any alteration in the number of ballots validity cast changes the particular surplus votes then selected for transfer. If the ballots are ruled valid however, Watson will drop his request.