AUCKLAND EAST ELECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 142, 17 June 1910, Page 5

AUCKLAND EAST ELECTION.

MR. A. M. MYERS RETURNED. j ,;-/ , ...... ■ ■ ; ,'. -:■.:■■', .... 1 < A LEAD OF 2093 VOTES. - • ( ! 1 ABSOLUTS MA3OBITY OF 955. ! The interest taken in the result of the " by-election for Auckland East was de- ( monstrated by the large crowds that. . thronged the streets; waiting for the re- ' turns from the various polling booths. ( The polls closed "at 7 p.m., and the finil returns -were posted at the "Star" Office a few. minutes after 9 o'clock, as follows:— •• ' A. M.MYERS (IX.) .. 3180 G. Davis (Lab.) .. 1087 W. Richardson (P.).. 754 B. W. Kill (€».)..'..... 309 R. I. McKmigi-t (2-als.) . ■■■■ 75 These figures give Mr. Myers an advantage of 2093 votes over the next candidate,. Mr. Davis,, and an absolute majority of 955 over all the other candidates combined, his total being 3180, as against 2225 polled in favour of the other four seeking election. There w no need, as- a consequence, for a second ballot. As indicated in yesterday's "Star," the voting was not heavy. During the forenoon the polling was very light indeed, but in the later hours of the afternoon the officers at the bootho were kept a good deal more busy, the ladies especially making use of the franchise in greater numbers. The poll was one of the lightest recorded in the city, however, only 5443 out of a total of 8370 on the roll, exercising the privilege to vote. The polling was heaviest at St. Benedict's Hall, where 1916 votes were recorded. The Drill Hall was the only other polling place at- which over 1000 votes were recorded. Details of the voting are as follows: —

The result of the election in 1908 was as follows:—Mr. F. E. Baume (Government), 3358; Mr. W. Richardson (Prohibitionist), 2265; and Mr. J. N. Harle (Labour), 374. At the election of 1905 the polling was as follows:—F. E. Baume (Government), 2535; H. D. Bamford (Opposition), 1664; W. Richardson (Pro--1 hibiEionist), 1129; and K. F. Way (Socialist), 103. AFTER THE CONTEST, SPEECHES BY CANDIDATES. After the announcement of the poll, brief speeches were delivered by all the candidates, with the exception of Mr. •McKnJght. The first announcement o£ the com- " pleted returns was made from the 1 "Auckland Star" Office, in ShorHand--1 street, and was received with loud and ' prolonged cheering by the large crowd 1 assembled. Mr. Arthur Myers, on rer ceiving the news of his election, appear--0 ed on the front steps, and was greeted * with tumultuous applause. Mr. Myers ' said lie thanked the electors for placing a him at the head of the poll by such an overwhelming majority. It was ■a, glorious victory. (Cheers.) He desired to express his personal gratification that the people of Auckland East had expressed their confidence to this extent in' spite of the "dreadnoughts" that were d put up. (Cheers.) The members of his 1 committee had fought a clean fight. " (Cheers.) There had not be.en a single 3 paid canvasser employed on his behalf Q in the whole electorate. He had always received the utmost consideration and confidence at the hands of the people of Auckland, and he had always taken them into his confidence. He had given no pledges except tliose made from the platform. (Cheers.) He stood before them 5T that night a proud man, and he could ' assure them that, no one was more aware [W of his responsibilities than he was him- ? self at this hour of victory. He would ~! begin his political career as he hoped he jg would end it, by running straight. j (CheeTs.) He -was a bit of a sport, and 3 f always strove to "play cricket." He jt desired especially to thank his opponents, Messrs. McKnigbt and Hill, who had ,t "played the game" straight, and had t .' conducted the campaign without indulge . ing in personalities. (Cheers.) He (Mr. jj Myers) would rather be defeated twice over than condescend to win an election >n by attempting to besmirch the character 1( j of an opponent.' (Cheers.) He intended es to keep the Liberal flag fiying, believing ,(j that all legislation should be for the ; k benefit of the majority of y the people. 1(1 (Cheers.) This great victory that had ie been given to him would be an inspira.q. tion to him to trust the people. He nt now said to them, as their representagjj cive, that he would sooner resign than e d betray the great trust that had been reposed in him, and he hoped that his . future actions wouFtt prove he had 'been worthy of the confidence reposed in him. (Cheers.)

In conclusion, Mr. Myers called for three heart;/ cheers for his opponents, and the call was generously responded to. Cheers for Mr. Myers were imniediately called for from the crowd, and were given in hearty style. Three groans for "Tommy Taylor" was the next order from the front, and the crowd duly expressed themselves in regard to our Southern visitor. More cheering for Mr. Myers followed, with the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and then the successful candidate was elevated to the shoulders of some athletic admirers, and chaired down the street. Mr. George Davis was also well received on making his appearance. He thanked those who had worked so willingly for him, and contended that Labour had gained considerably when the returns of the present election were compared with those polled at the last elections. Mr. Davis congratulated Mr. Myers on the success he had achieved, and concluded by saying that if the Labour party wished to put him forward at next election, he would again offer hie services. A Voice: Not for City East, though. Mr. William Richardson was also received with applause. He said that there was generally a feeling, in accordance with their ideas of British fair play, to extend some sympathy to a beaten man. He had offered his services as a. standard-bearer to the people, and had been defeated. It did not follow that truth, -was always on the side of the majority.

A Voice: Take it better than that, Billy!

Mr. Richardson briefly referred to the features of the contest, and said that he hoped Mr. Myers would- represent them as faithfully as he would have done. (Mingled applause and groans.):

Mr. IV W. Hill, the fourth candidate on the poll, was loudly ; 'applauded. He thanked those who had voted for Kim, and especially those who had worked so well on his committee. He congratulated Mr. Myers on his return, and said that had Mr." Myers pledged himself to refrain from voting on the liquor question, he would not. have stood against him. Mr. Hill added that he would contest a seat at the next general election, and he was authorised to state that he -.vould then receive the official support of the Opposition. (Applause.)' Mr. D. McLaren, M.P., also briefly addressed the crowd. The seat had; been fairly won by Mr. Myers, but Mr. Davis had no reason to bs disappointed with the result disclosed by the ballot box, and it augured well ior the future of the Labour cause. (Hear, hear.)

A voice asked: "Where is Tommy Taylor?" and the reply came: "He's gone home in a motor-car." "The best place for him, too!" cried someone else, amidst considerable laughter.

Mr. Taylor, M.P., left b-j the Main Trunk express last night, and before leaving briefly addressed a. crowd of Labour supporters who had accompanied him to the station. He said that Labour had put up a good fight in fhe City East contest, and urged that the friends of the party should, keep in mind the coming struggle at the election of 1911.

THREE CANDIDATES LOSE DEPOSITS.

Under the provisions of the Legislalature Act, unsuccessful candidates polling less than one-fourth of the total number of votes received by the successful candidate forfeit their deposits of £10. Three candidates seeking election for City East failed to secure the requisite number of votes yesterday, and, accordingly, their deposits go into the Consolidated Fund.

THE NEW MEMBER.

HIS PUBLIC CAREER. .■

Mr. Arthur M. Myers, the new member for Auckland East, was born at Ballarat, Victoria, in 1867. At the age of three years he came with his father to New Zealand, and resided at the Thames. On the death of his father, he proceeded with his mother to Wellington, and there received his education. He first attended the public school, and then spent some time at the Wellington College. His first experience of business life was gained in the office of his late uncle, Mr. Ehrenfried, and while still in his teens ne took over The management of the Auckland branch of Ehrenfried Bros.' business. On the death of Mr. Ehrenfried, Mr. Myers took! over the management of the whole business, and, in conjunction with Sir John Logan Campbell, completed the amalgamation of the whole business of Ehrenfried Bros, with that of Messrs Brown, Campbell and Co., forming the CanrpbellEhrenfried Company, o£ which he became managing director. - Before entering municipal life, Mr. .Myers was a director of the New Zealand Insurance Co and of the Auckland Gas Co., but resigned these on becoming a candidate for the Mayoralty. Mr; Myers has for many years been a volunteer, and at present holds the commission .of major on the active unattached list. He takes a great interest in all forms of sport, and was at one time prominent cm the football field, and has won prizes as a swimmer and an oarsman. During the South African War he took a prominent part in the dispatch of the Fourth Contingent from Auckland, and was president of the Citizens' Committee, which was formed at the time. Mr. Myers was elected Mayor of Auckland in 1905, and held the position for four years. During that period many important reforms were brought about, and important municipal works inaugurated. The municipal staff was reorganised, and such big works undertaken as the Waitafcerei water extension scheme, costing £ 150,000, the electric light and power scheme, the new abattoirs, the Grafton bridge, the new Town Hall, and the Auckland and Suburban Drainage scheme. Much serious attention was also devoted, by Mr. Myers to the questions of Greater Auckland and workers' homes. At the end of February, 1909, he resigned the Mayoralty, and shortly afterwards left on a twelve-months' trip to the Old Country. He was farewelled in the Albert Park, Auckland, by 10,000 citizens, and received several addresses, expressing the appreciation of the community. Mr. Myers has travelled extensively in England, America and Europe. In 1903 he married the daughter of Mr. B. W. Levy, the head of the firm of David Cohen and Co., of London.

PRESS OPINIONS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DUNEDIN, this day. . Concerning the Auckland election the "Otago Daily Times" says: "Apart from the emphatic expression which the electors of Auckland East have given of confidence in Mr! Myers as their representative in Parliament, the result of the election is important, by reason of the proof it has afforded of the dismal failure of the frantic efforts of politicians who are at present posing as leaders of the masses to organise the lahouring classes into an effective political body. Sad they been successful in the election, or had the Labour candidate even polled strongly, the contest might have. given a tremendous impetus to the movement for the establishment of a united Labour party in New Zealand. It is apparent, however, that the time for that has not yet come.

2 -a i 4? ■ % ? s § >» « .£ S •' u 3 D 5 K S Drill Hall 70S 215 161 63 32 St. Benedict's Hall 1102 399 2S4 107 24 St. Andrew's Hall 4-17 02 43 41 2 Epiphany School.. 3'20 221 120 41 5 K.Z". Exp. Rooms 272 32 53 29 10 j Graf ton Clubrooin 331 12S S4 28 2 Totals 3180 1087 754 300 75 Informal votes, 3S.