WELLINGTON SOUTH

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 109, 15 November 1928, Page 7

WELLINGTON SOUTH

MR. M'KEEN'S HANDSOME MAJORITY For the first time since the by-elec-tion in 1918 there was a three-cornered contest in Wellington South, and another interesting fact was that on this occasion a Reform candidate was in the field, tho previous candidate to contest the scat under this banner being Sir J. P. Luke in 1914. E. M'Keen (Labour) 5639 M. F. Luckie (Reform) 2807 J. Burns (United) 2433 Majority for M'Keen 2832 Informal 123 The record held by Wellington South for tho promptness with which tho returns were furnished was maintained, and within seven minutes of tho closing of tho poll tho first return was to hand, Happy "Valley recording its small vote solidly for Labour. Tho first return, as in other elections, furnished a good indication of the resuK, although the second return (from the Hospital) gave the Reform candidate (Mr. Luckie) tho lead. Thereafter, however, the scale turned solidly in tho Labour candidate's favour, and well before the final return Mr. E. M'Keen's election was assured. The first figures were supplied to .the returning officer for the electorate (Mr. J. E. F. Perry) at 7.7 p.m., and tho returns were complete by 7.55 p.m., these times establishing a record and testifying to the efficiency of the staff engaged at tho various booths. Indications throughout tho day were that tho polling would be heavy, and the returns, with absentee and other votes to come, showed a corresponding increase. The total number of valid votes recorded at the.last election was 10,332, and in yesterday's count the three candidates polled 10,879. The evidence, therefore, was not wanting of the interest of the electors and of tho keenness with which the contesting parties worked. Mr. M'Keen, through divided forces against him, was able to increase his majority very considerably, although his total was short of that in 1925. Apart from the Parliamentary election, Mr. Perry and his staff had the local as well as national votes on tho licensing issuo to handle, but the heavy load was very capably handled as in the past. Then again the postal and absentee voting accounted for a good deal of extra service. The smooth working and the promptness with which the returns were furnished were a credit to all concerned. ■ . Details of tho polling are: —

Burns. Luclde. M'Keen. Adelaide road 187 1«8 583 Constable; street .... 194 313 5S7 . Happy Valley ...... 13 14 r>8 Island Bay Tearooms 87 95 13G Island Bay School . 152 113 157 Island B., St. Hilda's 297 ' 347 336 Island Bay Parado 252 212 37S Luxford street .... 120 84 310 Nowtown Library .. 528 587 1295 St. Thomas's School. 358 528 1298 Tasmau street .... llfl 115 259 Tlio Hospital 21 119 48 Westland road .... 105 112 214 Totals ...2433 2807 5639 Informal 123 1925 Election.—R. M'Kcon (I/.). 5003; A. B. Sicvwrlght (N.), 4429: Informal, 151.