THE BY-ELECTION

POLLING IN AUCKLAND EAST, VICTORY TOR GOVERNMENT. ___ | (fbess association telegram.) AI'CKLAND, November 2. The polling in the bv-election to fill the vacancy in the Parliamentary representation of tho Auckland East constituency took place to-day and resulted in the return of Mr Clutha N. Mackenzie, tho Reform Party's coudidate. The figures are : Clutha N. Mackenzie (Reform) 2525 J. A. Leo (Labour) ... ... 2153 Hon. G. W. Russell (Liberal) ... 1015 G. H. Foster (Independent) ... BG2 Fifty-six absentee votes, 10 seamen's and a few declaration votes are still outstanding. NOTES ON THE CONTEST. (special to "the tress.") AUCKLAND, November 2, When the returns fiom all except one polling booth had been received, the totals of Messrs Mackcnzio and Lee were nearly even, Mr Leo being only about 50 behind Air Mackenzie. The returns from St. Andrew's Hall, at the foot of iSymonds street, however, put the Government candidate's success well beyond doubt. The Labour foices were well organised, and tho party left no stone unturned to win the seat, and thus secure representation of the whole block of three city seats and Grey Lynn, which adjoins the city. Mr Leo, in his speech after tho results were made known, intimated that a strong effort would be made next year to wrest the seat from to-day's victorious candidate. The poor measure of support accorded to the Hon. G. W. Russell occasioned considerable surprise and not a little disappointment to that old campaigner and his friends. Mr Foster polled better than was generally expected. 'Mr Mackenzie, in a speech at the "Herald" office at tho close of the pell, mado an appreciative reference to his old comrade-in-arms, Mr Lee. He said Mr Leo was a good fellow who had got with the wrong company. The comparative smallness of the vote was surprising. Out of a total roll number of over 11,000, only about 6600 (including seamen and absent voters) recorded their votes. At the general election in 1919 over 9000 went to the poll, but no doubt the licensing poll occounts largely for tho difference. MR MASSEY GRATIFIED. (special to "the PBESS."> WELLINGTON, November 2. "I am naturally gratified with the result of the election," said the Prime Minister to-night. "Mr Mackenzie put up a good fight, and he deserved to win. I expect we Bhall hear the old story about a minority victorv, but 1 believe the result would have been the same had there been only two candidates. I look upon the fact that three by-elections have come to our candidates as a vote of confidence in the Government, and an expression of intention to support us in the very aimcult duties which have been foroed upon us by the existing financial stringency. STATEMENT BY LEADER OP OPPOSITION. (press association tbleobam.) WELLINGTON, November 2. •Mr T. M. Wilford, Leader of the Liberal Opposition, mad® the following statement to-night in connexion with tie Auckland East by-election:— "The -win of Reform in Auckland East is no surprise to those who have followed closely this election. About a week ago it beoame clear to me that the fight had become 'for Mapey or against Massey,' and, as a result, those wlio voted against Mr Massey divided their votes among the three candidates, which, of course, produced the present result. Mr Maokenzie has polled 2525 votes for Reform, and 4030 votes have been polled agaanst Reform. That is to aay, a clear nuijority of 1505 of the electors have recorded their votes against Reform, ana vet Reform iy successful. Clearly tne repeal of the second ballot ha* enabled candidates obtaining a minority_ of votes to become members. The Hon. Mr Russell, who carried the Liberal banner, had to suffer, I am afraid, from the silenit epidemic vote, as it is called. By those, who have been in touch with me during the contest, it is a matter for regret from a national point of view, that a candidate with 2525 votes can win a seat in Pallia-, ment, whilo 4030 votes are cast against him. Time will put this right." AT.T.BOP.P MISCONDUCT OP A CANVASSER. (special to "the press.") AUCKLAND,' November 2. Reference was made last evening by Mr Clutha Mackenzie to a charge of alleged misconduct on the part of a canvasser working in Auckland East, made by the chairman of Mr Fester's (Independent) meeting the previous evening, that the Reform canvasser had ascertained which way tho women wer9 voting, and had failed to register those vot'ng against Mr Mackenzie. Mr Mackenzie said that the charge was largely unjustified, although it was true that about six enrolment forma had not been accounted for. It was through no deliberate plan on the part of the canvasser. She was a woman of integrity, whose name and lonrr war service were sufficient guarantee of her honour. Of the missing forms four had been of his own supporters, and two of his opponents' supporters. The canvasser in question had promised '-<> forgo her vote for tlie- Government partv to miuimife the lo»s, 30 that the speaker had loft more votes than his opponents. The loss was occasioned through circumstances quite out of her hands, and if negligence could 1)0 proved he was anxious to probe the matter fully. THE NEW MEMBER. Mr Clutha N. Jlackenzic is tho youngest son of Sir Thomas Mackenzie, a former Prime Minister of New Zca-, land, and until recently High Commissioner for Now Zealand in London. He is a brother of Mr Kenneth Mackenzie, surgeon, 1 of Prints street, Auckland. Ho was born at Balclutha, Otago, in 1896, and attended in turn the Mornington school, Otago Boys' High School, and Waitaki Boys' High School. Fur several years he worked as a cadet, agricultural labourer, and _sheoherd iu tne Manawatu, WaikatJ, liing Couutry, aud llangitikei districts, gaming u sound pra-tieul kno.vleuge of all branches of agriculture witn tho intention of future scientific research. Un various expeditions he travelled exten-1 sively through most parts of both islands, civilised, and far back, particu-1