WELLINGTON NORTH

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 146, 18 December 1919, Page 9

WELLINGTON NORTH

ONCE MORE 'TRUE TO REFORM.' J. P. Luke (R.) 3718 H. O. Browne (L.) ... 2776 : J. Read (Lab.) 2U4 Majority for. Luke ... 934 In view of the apparent interest created in Wellington North by a triangular contest, it was surprising that only 8722 votes were recorded. The total number of voters on the roll was 12,110, as against 10,654 in 1911, 9573. in 1914, and 11,188 at the last by-election. ' Wellington North has always been regarded as a Reform stronghold, but Mr. Luke on this occasion failed to secure such a .large majority as went to the' credit of Mr. Herdman in 1914. In fact, Mr. Luke failed to secure a majority of the votes cast. On the other hand, there was a falling off in the number of Labour votes. At the by-election on 28th February, 1918, Mr. H. E. Holland polled 2578. Mr. Read yesterday polled' 2144, and came third on the list. Mr. Oakley Browne had 2776 followers. Very complete arrangements for the convenience of electors had been made by Mr. J. W. A. Heenan, and voting proceeded smoothly all the time. At Sydney-street there were eight booths, and the large number of votes recorded there justified the elaborate provision made. The first sectional result came through at five minutes past seven, but the first complete booth result was telephoned from the Sydney-street Gymnasium fifteen minutes later, and gave Mr. Read a, slight lead. Kelbum electors voted very solidly for Mr. Luke. The big majority which it was anticipated Mr. Read would secure at the Sydney-street Schoolroom did not eventuate. It was very even pegging there, with the Labour repiesentative slightly in the lead. The final result was known,just before halfpast eight. Details of the voting are appended: S J*, g » J » Sydney-street 679 676 795 Gymnasium 92 78 94 Tinakori-road 254 223 221 Kelbum Kiosk 231 769 82 Harcourt's 242 342 108 Bethune's 291 492 143 Town Hall * 419 359 309 Masonic Hall 373 423 218 Mdlcsworth-street ' 195 348 174 Informal, 80. 1914.—A. L. Herdman (R.), 4550; W. H. Turobml (L.), 1895; H. E. Holland (S.D.), 1688. Reform majority, 2655. By-election, 28th February, 1918.— J. P. Luke (R.), 2992; H. E. Holland (Lab.), 2578; A. de B. Brandon (1.N.), 823; A. J. N. Poison (1.L.), 722. Reform majority, 414. . .