MR. NASH IN THE LEAD

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 148, 19 December 1929, Page 10

MR. NASH IN THE LEAD

A NAEROW MAKGIN

UNITED CANDIDATE SECOND

As was generally anticipated, the contest being triangular, the result of the Hutt by-election yesterday was that Mr. W. Nash, the Labour candidate, polled the highest number of votes', but as 657 absentee, postal, and seamen's votes have yet to bo counted, the issue is still in doubt. Mr. Nash is at present leading from Mr. J. Kerr (United) by 156 votes. The votes received by each candidate were:— Walter Nash (Labour) 4793 James Kerr (United) 4637 Harold F. Johnston (Heform) .. 2368 Majority for Nash 156 There were 16,371 electors on the roll, and approximately 12,510 votes, including those of absentees and those which were informal, were cast. Over 3860 electors did not vote. There were 55 informal votes, and the 657 votes remaining to be counted include 472 absentee votes, 183 postal votes, and 2 seamen 's votes. It is possible that a few other absentee votes may also come to hand. DETAILS OF POLLING. Following are details of the polling:

Thanks, to the excellent arrangements made by the Chief Electoral Officer (Mr. G. G. Hodgkins), tho returning officer for the by-election (Mr. F. B. 'Jameson), and the staff of the Post and Telegraph Department, tho result of the poll was known in a little under an hour and a half. The first return came from Koro Koro at 7.20 p.m., and the last was from Wilford Settlement at 8.25. There was a slight delay in receiving the count from tho latter place, otherwise the result would have been known sooner.

The scrutiny of the roll will probably take place to-day, and the official count of the ballot papers will most likely be commenced to-morrow. After that, the absentee votes will be counted, so that it is improbable that the final result of the by-election will 'be available before Saturday or, Monday. At the General Election last year there were 848 absentee, postal, and seamen's votes, of which Mr. Wilford received 532 and Mr. Nash 316.

Polling Places. By-election, 1929. Johnston. Kerr. Nash. BLACKBRIDGB 149 2D3 190 DAY'S BAY 87 47 gg EASTBOURNE 332 150 163 KORO KORO s 03 . • "9 LOWER HUTT (Lyceum Hall) .... 686 036 537 LOWER HUTT (Public So'hool) 290 ' 505 60 7 LOWRY BAY 45 .7 7 MOEEA ' 100 270 550 PETONE (Public School, principal) 310 1096 12^ PETONE (Oddfellows' Hall) ...... 106 877 8^4 WAIWETTJ 104 160 233 WILFOED. SETTLEMENT 55 287 General Election, 1928. Nash. Wilford. 219 416 51 156 219 633 86 27 849 1709 749 717 546 269 1693 1614 887 726 106 14S 257 336 Total.Polling Places 2368 4637 4793 5662 6751