A VICTORY FOR LABOUR

SURPRISINGLY SMALL POLLING

4000 ELECTORS REFRAIN FROM

VOTING,

The by-election yesterday for the Wellington Central seat (rendered vacant by the death of Mr. R. Fletcher, a Liberal member), resulted in the return of Mr. P. Fraser, the Labour Party's candidate. Messrs. M. J. Mack (Independent Labour) and W. .T. Hildreth (National Government candidate) were the only others to make any showing in.the polling. Tho final, figures were: — Fraser ....•-. 2668 ' '• Mack ...,.:...................... 1044 • .Hildreth ■ 784 • . Atmore- „.. 185 Garmsou 29 Tanner 9 j Details of the voting for the three leading candidates are as follows:— •. . ■■•■•■■ ■ ■ j- | s ■ a m '• ■, i IS I Palace Auction Mart ..... 1058 147 186 Alexandra HaJl 314 134 195 Willis-street School 186- 129 183 St. Peter's School 308 159 129 Wesley Church School .... 60 18 '28 Reehabito Chambers 197 56 72 Aro-street Hall ..: 178 24 105 Dominion Motor Bdgs. ... 137 47 40 Tory-street Hall 157 45 39 Mount Cook School 73 25 67 Totals '. 2668 784 1044 Mr. Atmore's heaviest polling was 38 at the.Palace Auction Mart; Mr. Garmscn's six each at the same booth and at the Alexandra Hall; Mr. Tanner's five at the Willis-street. School. . As Messrs. Atmore, Garmson, and Tanner each failed to obtain one-fourth of the winning candidate's votes they will each forfeit the nomination deposit of £10. ■Though mild, pleasant weather was an encouragement for the electors to have a voting, with an airing, the polling was surprisingly small. Out of a roll of 9176 only 4719 recorded votes. The explanation offered, in discussions last evening was that the organising and canvassing for the National Government's candidate could not have been equal to expectation. The personal supporters of Mr. Hildxeth did not work up any enthusiasm for him among the electors. Hence the "big silent vote" remained, silent and Mr. Fraser was returned by an absolute majority of 617.. votes. ELECTIONS OF 1911 AND 1914. ■:. In the General Election of 1914 tho voting was :-— .. . ' } . R. Fletcher (Libera1)'..........!....... 4910 F..M. B. Fisher (Reform) ......... 2677 Majority for Fletcher 223 V Total of votes polled 7587 The voting of 1911 was :— First Second Ballot. Ballot. Fisher (R.) 2987 3813 Fletcher (L.) 2983 ' 3682 Foung, W. T. (Lab.) ... 1372 Freeman (I.) j 180 ■Final majority for Fisher, 131. Totals of votes polled:—First ballot,. 7522; second ballot, 7495.