LABOUR WINS

3IAXAWATU SEAT

MR. HUNTER SUCCESSFUL

MR. LINKLATER DEFEATED

Labour has gained another seat, Mr. C. L. Hunter having defeated Mr. J. Linklater, the Nationalist candidate for Manawatu. Mr. Linklater had represented Manawatu for some years. This latest success brings Labour's strength to 53,' and makes the Nationalists 19. The preliminary count gave Mr. Linklater a majority of 60, but 464 votes ■were outstanding. The official count has now been completed, and Mr. G. G. Hodgkins (Chief Electoral Officer) advises that the new figures are as follows:— '■ C. L. Hunter (L.) 2962 *J. Linklater (N.) 2932 S. J. E. Closey (I.) 1273 M. H. Oram. (D.) .. •. 673 J. K. Hornblow (I.) 619 Informal 35 Majority for Hunter 30 The previous figures were: *J. Linklater (N.), 2829; C. L, Hunter (L) 2769; S. J. E. Closey (I.), 1228; M. H. Oram (D.), 634; J. K. Hornblow (I.), 587. Majority for Linklater, 60. Mr. Hunter is one of the younger candidates to have successfully contested a seat in the House of Representatives. He was born in Nelson 35 years ago. For some time he was itigaged in the flax industry, but 13 years ago he joined the Wellington City Corporation's tramway department, and Tias occupied a position in the service ever since. His present post is that of motorman. He has been associated ■With the Labour movement for a number of years past, and is secretary of the Wellington South Labour Representation Committee. Mr. Hunter unsuccessfully contested the Manawatu seat four years ago.

There are seven absentee votes to come, but these cannot alTccl the result.