CHRISTCHURCH NORTH SEAT.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18095, 10 June 1924, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH SEAT.

MR ISITT'S INTENTION. WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION. Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P. for Christchurch North, has decided that he will not again contest the scat. When asked by a "Press" reporter if he would make any statement as to his action, Mr Isitt said: "As I feel at present, I have no intention of standirfg again." Asked if this meant that he would not stand for any other seat, Mr Isitt said: "If I do not stand for Christchurch North, I shall not stand for anywhere. That is the only statement I am making." » Mr E. H. Andrews, who was the Reform candidate for the constituency at the 1922 general election, stated last night that he intended to contest the seat again. "That is my present intention," he said, "but lots of things happen in eighteen months." Mr Isitt was first elected for Christchurch North on August 17th, 1911, winning the by-election rendered necessary by the death of Mr T. E. Taylor, defeating Mr J. D. Hall by 718 votes. At the general election a few months later Mr Isitt, standing as a Liberal, was again elected, polling 4134 votes against Mr J. D. Hall's (Reform) 3612 and Mr J. Petherick's (Liberal) 727. A second ballot being necessary, Mr Isitt increased his lead, and was elected by a majority of 749, the voting being: Mr Isitt, 4627; ,Mr Hall, 3878. At the general election in 1914 Mr Isitt's opponent was Mr H. F. Toogood (Reform), the former winning the seat by 5222 votes to 4005. At the 1919 election Mr Isitt defeated the Labour candidate, Mr H. T. Armstrong who now represents Christchurch East, 'by 6033 votes to 3600, and at the last general election the voting was as follows:—Mr Isitt, 5011 votes; Mr J. K. Archer (Labour), 3201; and Mr E. H. Andrews (unofficial Reform), 2062.