ELECTION SURPRISES

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 19 November 1925, Page 5

ELECTION SURPRISES

THE AWAITED RECRUITS. BOTH END IN TIES. LABOUR LOSES BOTH SEATS. This year’s elections will be noted for a striking coincidence —that in two electorates, Lyttelton and Westland, the voting resulted in a tie, and that in both cases Labour candidates were defeated on the casting vote of the returning officers. AT LYTTELTON. '(BY TELEGIIAPH PKESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 18. After an anxious wait of a fortnight the final result of the Lyttelton election was announced a little after five o’clock this evening. The result was: M. E. Lyons (G.) 4901 J. McCombs (L.) 4900 Informal 94 The returning officer also announced that the missing votes had all been accounted for. The final count had resulted in a tie, each polling 4900 votes, and he had exercised his casting vote in favour of Mr Lyons, whom he declared elected. 1922. —J. McCombs (L.) 4758, R. Macartney (G.) 4144. Majority for McCombs 614. WESTLAND SEAT. REGAINED BY MR SEDDON. HOKITIKA, Nov. 18. The intense interest shown in the result of the Westland election since polling day had been intensified by Sunday, when a tie was announced. The excitement cultimated this afternoon when the final result was announced, both candidates being again equal with 4176 votes each. The returning officer (Mr G. H. Coles) gave his casting vote in favour of Mr Seddon, and declared him elected, the figures being: T. E. Y. Seddon (N.) -4177 J. O’Brien (L.) 4176 Informal 69 Twenty-four declaration votes were not allowed. The effective roll numbered 8930, and 8421 votes were cast. 1922.—J. O’Brien (L.) 2926, T. E. Y. Seddon (0.) 2439,* J. Steer (G.) 1952, .J. D. Lynch (I.) 556. Majority for O’Brien *487. STATE OF PARTIES. GOVERNMENT’S BIG MAJORITY. Now that the last doubtful seats have been officially disposed of the state of the parties is as follows: Reform 56 1 Labour II Nationalists 11 Liberal 1 Independent 1 MAGISTERIAL RECOUNTS LIKELY. WELLINGTON, Nov. 19. The position of the Labour candidates in the Lyttelton and Westland seats will be considered at a meeting of the National Executive of the Labour Party to-morrow morning, when in all probability it will be decided to demand a magisterial recount in both cases.