CHRISTCHURCH

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 100, 2 May 1929, Page 14

CHRISTCHURCH

AX INTERESTING POSITION

(By Telegraph.—l'resa association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day

Owing to the proportional representation system of voting, the final result of the City Council election will not be known for a. few days. On the figures available, D. G. Sullivan (Labour) and ii. H. Andrews, M.E. Lyons, J. W. Beanland, J. A. Flesher, and A. W. Beaven (all of the Citizens' Association ticket) have been elected, having received more than the quota. Candidates who appear to be assured of election are Mrs. 3J. K. M'Combs (Labour), A. E. Armstrong (Independent Labour), W. H. Williamson (Citizens' Association), T. H. Butterficld (Labour), and I<\ E. Cooke (Labour). Others who a.ppear to havu good chances of election are Dr. Thaekcr (Independent), F. G. Dunn (Citizens), It. B. Dalley (Citizens), and P. W. Sharpc (Labour). It is believed that the Citizens' Association will have a majority. Tor the Harbour Board, H. T. Armstrong (Labour) and 11. Holland (Citizens) were elected, and two seats are in doubt.

The North Canterbury Hospital Board election wad remarkable for the heavy vote polled by. Dr. 11. T. D. Acland "(Citizens' Association) who secured S2(jo first preference votes out of a total of 29,100 valid votes recorded. Jlrs. L. R. M' Combs (Labour) was second, ivith 11. J. Otley (Citizeus' Association and present chairman) third. These three candidates having secured more than the quota, which will be approximately 3200, have been elected on the first count.

The position on the Christchurch City Council is likely to be very interesting, telegraphs "The Post's" corres-

pondent, when the final returns are posted. It is expected from present figures

that tho Citizens' Association will have eight seats and Labour seven seats, with, one Independent, Dr. Thacker. The Mayor, Mr. Archer, is, of course, Labour, so that would make both sides even, with Dr. Thacker. holding the key position. The poll is conducted on the proportional representation system, however, and changes may be made as the preference votes are allocated to candidates lower ou the list. The Mayoral poll was a record, over 30,000 votes being cast. Mr. Archer's narrow win came as a surprise to his supporters,

though it was known that his frequent declarations of Socialism were losing him votes. His poor showing yesterday was in sharp contrast with his sensa-

tional majority of 10,030 when he defeated Mr." C. P. Agar two years ago. In returning thanks after the result wtis announced, Mr. Archer declared that lie was still a Socialist, and would remain one for the rest of his life.

Mr. D. G. Sullivan, M.P., easily topped the poll for the City Council. Mr. H. T. Armstrong, M.P., headed the Harbour Board, and Dr. H. T. Acland received a very big vote for the Hospital Board.