GISBORNE SEAT.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10744, 15 November 1928, Page 4

GISBORNE SEAT.

MR. W. 0. RYSNAR RE-IWSOTKD One of the most hotly contested campaigns for Parliamentary honors in the Gisborne electorate for many years came to a close yesterday. _ The weather, it appeared, was also prepared to show its worst side on the- last scene of the contest. A. bitterly cold and driving .wind, accompanied by heavy rain, fell incessantly throughout the day. It was the first wet polling day in years. The closing of business premises at noon left the town deserted. In the town area, however, there was a steady stream of voters, though the wet weather prevented the usual crowd congregating outside*the booths. The principal booths were rushed about midday, but polling was very slow during the afternoon, hut increased again after five o’clock and until the poll closed at 7 o’clock. The organisations supporting the respective candidates were very busy all day. transporting voters to the booths. The arrangements by the Returning Officer, Mr. P. Fulton, were completely satisfactory to all concerned. Polling closed at 7 o’clock, and three minutes later the first result was forwarded, the honor going to Wharerata booth, which was followed less than a minute later by Mang.v poiko (Ormond’s) and Tarewa returns.

Intense interest was manifested in the contest for the Gisborne seat, the sitting member, Mr W. D. Lysnar, being returned to the House by a majority of 358 votes over the Labor candidate, Mr D. W. Coleman, the United candidate, Mr W. Lissant Clayton, being a further 630 votes further back. It was the .closest contest *tbat Mr Lysnar has had since he was first elected to _ Parliament nino years ago. The sitting member had a hard battle the whole way, the result being in doubt until all the big town and Wairoa returns were available. The Labor nominee polled very heavily in the Gisborne and suburban booths, but the big majorities gained at some of the town places and his advantage in the counrry districts _ assured the . sitting member of his seat.

The pulling yesterday was not as heavy as in the 1925 elections,'when 9220 votes were recorded out of 10,474 on the roll. This year 9093 people voted on the preliminary count compared with 11,971 on the roll. This year fully 200 postal votes and over 50 absentee votes have yet .to be counted but of course these cannot neat the candidates position.

The i etui ns in the Gisborne electorate V'ore forwarded with the utmost expedition .to the Returning Officer. Mr P. Fulon, to whom the utmost credit is due for the excellence of the arrangements and the facility with which the figures were handled, so that the information could be transmitted to the public. The- first returns came to hand, as stated above, at three minues past 7 o’clock, and thereafter the figures flowed in regularly, the local returns i'or both electoral and licensing issues being available about 10 o’eoek. Details of the voting are as follow:

Last Election.—W. D. Lysnar (G..), 4652; D. W. Coleman (L.), 2950; G. Smith (XJ, 1522 Majority for Lvsnar. 1672.

AFTER- THE ELECTIONCANDIDATES RETURN THANKS. After the final returns had come to hand, the three candidates later addressed the electors. Mr. W. D. Lysnar, on making his appearance was greeted with applause and a counter demonstration from the Ljaboi- supporters. The speaker thanked the electors of Poverty Bay and Wairoa for again returning him to Parliament, and said he would do his best for the country and the district which he represented. An unruly Labor element created a diversion by counting out the speaker, an interjector calling out. “Lets have the truth.” When Mr. Lysnar was able to proceed, he appealed to the Laborites to keep quiet and take their beating in a true sporting spirit. (Applause.) He had always done his best in the interests of the district and would continue to do so- (Applause.) The speaker, continuing, said there were many important matters to solve next session, but at that time, it was impossible to tell how the parties would fare. Continuing, the speaker said the election had been a clean fight. There had been a fow “squibs,” but one must expect that at election time. W hat happened during the campaign < was now at an end, and should he forgotten, and Hie people should do their best to help the Government Mr. Lysnar again thanked the electors for returning him and said he would like to thank his committee, especially the ladies, who had worked so well in his interests. Mr. Lysnar said it was unfortunate that Gisltome had experienced such a wet day for the election, which had retarded the number of votes being recorded, for a’though more votes had been recorded this time than three years ago. there had been more electors on tfiie roll this election. “Of course.” said Mr. Lysnar.

“you cannot blame the Government for the wet weather. Some people are inclined to blame Air. Coates for everything, so the fine weather the rest.'of New Zealand is enjoying is really a tribute to the Government. ' (Loud applause.) The speaker again returned thanks to the electors tor the honor they liad once again bestowed upon him. (Prolonged applause.) Air D. W. Coleman, the Labor candidate, sincerely thanked the electors who bad cast their votes in his fawor. His only regret was that he had 1 ben placed second. He was, however, thankful that the Re-form majority in Poverty Bay had been i educed from 1,600 to 300. A voice: “Don’t forget Air. Clayton was there his time.” (Laughter.!

The fight had been a strenuous one. continued the speaker, and every ounce of each party had been used, inn. the figures spoke. “The inclement- weather,” said Air. Coleman," •’to-day seriously affected the voting. Had it- been fine the working classes wemid have had a better chance or voting and then I would have worn ' Derisive laughter and cries of “Ao. no.” . . The votes recorded in tho Labor interests. said! Mr. Coleman, gave an indication that at t-lie next election the Labor Party would be first._ The figures all over New Zealand pointed to another election. Afr Coleman concluded Hv again thanking the electors and his committee for their support. . . Mr. AY. Lissant Clayton, Ufa ted candidate, was given an enthusiastic reception, and said he appreciated the reception for one who had been placed at the bottom of the poll. He was quite content to be last, if the electors desired it. and he had taken that attitude all tiirough the campaign. The speaker said he had offered his services to the party serving the middle classes, and' he was pleased that the United Party were coming into their own in other parts of New Zealand. In conclusion, the speaker thanked the electors and his committee, and said he was quite content with the voice of the people. Air. Lysnar then called for three cheers for the defeated candidates, while three hearty cheers were also given for the successful candidate.

- * = 3 * U .Masonic 1 149 122 139 Masonic 2 187 170 174 Masonic 3 111 102 107 4 -Masonic 4 94 113 111 3 Garrison 1 156 151 300 6 Garrison 2 184 166 206 5 Gaiety 1 167 140 143 5 Gaietv 2 182 113 123 6 Oddfellows Hail ] 140 71 119 •Oddfellows Hall 2 104 78 130 0 Ovenden's 122 84 184 3 City .Hall 1 72 62 76 1 City Hall 2 07 74 <50 2 Thompson's store 280 132 206 10 Haiti 140 84 95 1 Mahia 3 4 n Makaraka •23 33 74 li St. Mary's Hall 1 04 41 39 1 Sti Mary’s Hall 2 50 35 47 1 Maugapoike (Osmond's) 4 O 9 Maugapoike (P.W.D.) 9 2 1 Manutuko Id 51 72 2 Muriwai 18 3C 29 V 3lorere 13 15 21 Reay Bridge 2 5 25 1 Opoutama 0 7 8 Paparatu 2 3 J5 llangitere 12 2 11 Tarewa 11 3 n To, Hapara I. 85 60 77 4 r Le Hapara 2 99 S3 102 1 W’aikokopu 1J 8 2 \\ aingake 8 7 24 Wairou School 24 15 31 3 Mairoa Gaiety ... 108 90 138 3 St Andrews Hall 1 90 43 70 3 St Andrews Hall 2 6-5 37 30 4 Wairoa Library... 135 135 200 Whakaki O 11 ' 4 TV'harerata 2» T 10 Fraser town ltd.... .4 2 13 Burnside 2 3 24 T uhara 4 1 19 Tukemokihi 2 4. Xuhaka 44 50 l'e Uhi 10 11 n Totals 3099 2469 3457 78

GISBORNE. LIQUOR POLE— 1925. Polling Places. o © 5 © U © o © .2 IS < o s £ Masonic Hal! 798 116 GOT Burnside 15 — 23 Prasertown "... ... 9 — 15 Abercorn Hall 502 55 446 City Hall 205 30 230 Garrison Hall ... 313 56 302 Rutene Road 122 20 168 Thompson’s ■ Whinray’s 229 32 257 467 61 363 Haiti 174 30 163 Mahia 8 1 •> «> Makaraka 70 8 72 Mangapapo 202 27 2.54 Mangapoiko 'IV Arai 6 — Manutuke . 64 12 53 Mo re re 26 2 18 Murivrai 39 11 18 Reav Bridge ... ... 14 2 15 Nuhaka 71 12 72 Opoutama 21 O 12 Paparatu ••• ... 19 2 11 Tarewa Jt) 14 Tangitere Te Hapara 7 2 R 235 23 215 Tuhara 6 2 19 Te Phi 10 3 30 Tukemokilii 6 i 5 Waingake 24 o •J 8 Wairoa (Gaiety) 155 22 140 Wairoa (Library) 194 19 164 North Clyde Hall 156 18 120 Wairoa School 30 6 69 Whakaki 14 1 10 Wharerata 13 2 13 Waikokopu 23 3 10 Absent voters, etc . . 282 39 226 Totals 4356 632 4128 1922 4358 319 4261