LOCAL POLLING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18282, 18 December 1919, Page 7

LOCAL POLLING.

3EAVY FIGURES NOT RECORDED. MANY CALCULATIONS UPSET. Perfect weather was in favour of a ecord poll in the Canterbury district, tparfc altogether from the weight of tho issues. In the city a still day, the hottest of the season, gave added ifo to the streets, and although there rrere no indications that a poll was in progress, very steady voting was recorded at most of tho city booths, leading to the opinion that records might be broken. This, however, was not the case, although the voting was substantial. Christchurch has always been a centre of advanced and this has been reflected for years in the return of liberal members. This year, following on five years of war, Labour challenged Liberalism, and tho Conservative elements stood back in the more important seats to let tho advanced parties fight it out between themselves. To tip the winners was no easy task. The sitting members were under the handicap imposed on them by their enforced silence as supporters of the National Government. The Labour candidates woro expected to poll according to the sanity of their views, and Christchurch South was confidently expected to go to the Labour candidate (Mr Howard), while almost equal confidence was placed in the ability of Mr D. G. Snllivan to beat the Hon G. W. Russell at Avon. Similarly, Mr James M’Combs was given a good chance at Lyttelton, notwithstanding much optimism by the Reform supporters. The election went without a hitch of any kind, but on tho whole the poll was not nearly as heavy as had been predicted, and the results, in the actual figures, were such as no political seer could have promoted. CHRISTCHURCH NORTH. The contest in Christchurch North >€id not attract as much attention as tho contests in Christchurch South, (Avon and Lyttelton. Mr Isitt was strong from the beginning of tho campaign. Mr Armstrong’s most sanguine supporters did not hope that he would his experienced • and eloquent opponent, but most of them consider that by polling 3651 votes, be did better than might have been expected. Ullie totals are:— L. M. Isitt . . . 6656 H. T. Armstrong . . 3651 Majority for Isitt . . 2005 Informal . . .310 • I Air Isitt polled 571 more votes than ihe polled in 1914, when he defeated by 11205 Mr H. F. Toogood, a Reform ) candidate. The figures for that contest are:— L. 31. Isitt ... 5085, H. F. Toogood . . . 3880 Majority for Isitt . 1205 Informal . . . 107 ! There are 12,050 electors in the district. The total votes polled yesterj dav was 9617; in 1914 the total was 1 9072, .an increase of only 545. Tho (number of informal votes yesterday, | 310, is nearly three times as many as 'in 1914, and is exceptionally large. "It las presumed that some electors, who did not wish to vote in one or otherJof the polls, or on both, but intended [to keep their names on tho roll, gave /informal votes intentionally. ; The principal booth in tho electorate ’.for many years was in the Provincial Council Chambers, but that site, by /the latest adjustment of boundaries, ■has been placed in Christchurch South, /and the principal North Christchurch (booth was in tho Art Gallery, where 'Mr F. Evans, returning officer, who conducted the election without a hitch, bad his headquarters.

CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH. The returning officer for Chrisbtehureli South (Mr T. W. Reese) put up •ja great record, tho complete result o£ the election for tho seat being fully posted on the “Lyttelton Times” result board exactly fifty minutes after (the poll had closed. The first result icamo from, the Strickland Street booth, the figures-reading: Howard,

land, 281- Tremendous cheering followed, and was repeated a little later when 31r Howard’s picture was thrown on tbe screen.. Results followed at frequent intervals, and almost before any other city figures were recorded the Christchurch South returns were well on to completion, with tho result certain. Tbe second return waa from Durham Street (St Michael's Schoolroom), and the figures were the closest of the series in the big voting, Mr Holland gaining 4SB votes and Mr Howard 483. With one or two exceptions, the figures were generally in favour of Mr Howard, and the final posting was 4951 votes for him !ind 3278 for 3lr Holland. 31r Howard (then a Socialist candidate) contested the Christchurch South seat in 1911, when he received 640 votes only to Mr H. G. Ell’s 5690 and Mr G. R. Whiting’s (Labour) 8059. At tho 1914 election Mr Ell won the seat with 4414 votes, Mr F. B. Hughos (Reform) gaining 1629, and Mr G. R. Whiting 1701.

CHRISTCHURCH EAST. The polling in the Christchurch East electorate waa very quiet during tne morning, but there was a steady stream of voters at the chief booths in the early afternoon and right on towards the closing of the poll. Tho view which was held by many right from tho outset of tho campaign that the popularity of D.r Thacker was such that the seat was practically a gift to him was borne out, as although the Labour candidate polled fairly well at all the booths, while ! at Lawson Street ho had a. slight majority—Hunter 330, Thacker 319 and at Waltham School, where he was one behind, he was well beaten, tho polling being heavily against him at tho Caledonian, Hibernian and Foresters’ Halls. The final return saw Dr Thacker returned with a substantial majority.

AVON. The polling at many of the booths in tho Avon electorate was by no mentis heavy at any period of tho day, but* at other places tho supply of voting papers ran out towards evening, and further quantities had to be obtained. As events turned out, the total poll was somo hundreds larger than at tho previous election. The first return readied tho principal xiolling booth at tho ltolleston Street Oddfellows’ Hall about a quarter past seven o’clock, and this was from the North Beach Surf Club pavilion, where Sullivan led 70 to Russell s 49. Quickly following returns suw the Labour candidate leading at each booth except in one place, where Russell had a mnrgin of five in his favour. Thence onward Sullivan’s majority almost invariably grew, until with the two big polling places at Linwood Library and Richmond School to come m he had a load of over 1200. 1 ho. voting at these two centres was awaited with much interest, a general opinion being expressed that they would prove strongholds for the Liberal canchclate. Ino rosult proved Sullivan gaining further at each place, i ' VI ?P? the seat by a. majority of 1094. Mr J. L. Carl polled from nil to hall-dozens, and occasionally reached tho lower double figures.

RIOCARTON. The return of Mr George W&by at tho head of the poll for Ricoarton was expected from tho outsot of the campaign, although the supporters of Mr W. R. Dovoreux, the .Reform candidate, wore prone to hope that tho splitting of the progressive vote would givo their candidate his chance. The polling was heavy throughout the electorate, although aotualiy only eighty-six more votes wore cast than was the case in 1914, but this small increase can bo explained by the fact that tho roil contained only forty-soven more names than the roll for the 1914 election. In tho straightout contest with Air Bertram Bunn in 1914 Mr Witty’s majority was 1129 out of a total poll of 6927, and yesterday his load was 584 out of a poll of 7013, in a three-cor-nered contest. The first rosult to bo announced was from tho Upper Riccarton Hall, where Mr Witty scored a lead over both his opponents. Subsequent returns slightly reduced Mr Witty’B lead, but it appeared certain from tho beginning that ho would bo re-elected. Lower Riccarton voted fairly evenly for all three candidates. The residential portion of Fendalton plumped solidly for Mr Devoroux, who also polled well in many of tho country districts. Air Robertson had a majority at Hornby, Charing Cross, Islington and Waddingtqn, and ho also polled well in Lower Riccarton, Sockburn and HiLlmorton. Messrs Witty and Dcvereux were present at the fmncifial polling place, ths Upper Riccarton Hall, when the results came to liana, and when it was clear that Mr Witty’s election was assured, both candidates addressed the. assembled crowd and tliaulo; for tiie support aocorded to thorn. , Robert-

KAIAPOT. As far as Rangiora was concerned the election was one of tlio quietest experienced for a good many years. The crowd at the polling booth was much smaller than usual, and fewer cars were running than at previous elections, tho petrol shortage probably being accountable for this fact. In tho evening a crowd of fully two thousand collected in front of Messrs Parrott and Co.’s premises; where the “Times” and “Press” Corn pa ires jointly exhibited the results, the figures being screened by Sir J. Matthews, proprietor of the Alexandra Pictures, with tho aid of an electric projecting plant, the current to run which was supplied from Messrs M. Smith and Co.’s battery charging station. A special telophono wire betwoon the premises "and tho “Times” office was exclusively engaged for the night, and the results were expeditiously transmitted from Christchurch immediately after they were received at the office. The crowd was a remarkably quiet and undemonstrative one, and seemingly greater interest was taken in the liquor poll than in tho Parliamentary election. It was generally expected that the contest would bo a close one between the Tlon D. Buddo and Mr David Jones. After the rosult had been made known tho threo candidates each returned thanks lor tho support they had received.

Art Gallery Armstrong. Isitt. . 460 797 , Brown’s itoad 95 299 i Cranford Street 23-1 282 ! Caledonian Koad 'Dean Street 393 475 380 453 Dover Street 396 163 Edgeware -ttoad 254 846 Edward Avenue • • 235 884 Elmwood 46 160 Knox School . 678 640 Manchester Street Merivale Lane 866 483 62 272 JRngby Street 2B1 859 Totals • • • • Sfiol 565G

Holland. Howard. Antigua Street . 181 314 Battersea Street . . 251 724 Barrington Street . 188 155 Church, of Christ . 152 375 Domain Terrace 82 97 Jerrold Street . 126 381 Linooln Hoad . 259 509 Selwyn Street . 261 475 Somorfleld Street . 274 359 Spreydon Council 90 117 Striokland Street St Andrew’s . 104 240 . 299 2G9 St David’s . . 212 829 St Miohaol’s . 488 483 Worcester Street . 315 119 Hospital . . . . 23 18 Totals . . , . 3278 4951

Beckenham Thacker. . 3S1. Hunter. 145 Caledonian Hall . . 615 105 Foresters’ Hall . 481 2?S Falsgxavo Stroat . . 217 176 Gloucester Street . . 278 153 Grafton Street . 304, ' 209 Hibernian Hall 586 265 Hastings Street . 203 176 Lawson Street . 310 330 Manchester Stroet . 163 J57 Moorhouee Avenue . 330 00 Op aw a . .201 67 Oxford Terraoa . 2S0 198 .St Paul’s . 248 333 Waltham Hall . 308 221 Waltham School . . 373 372 Wilson's Hoad . 203 176 Totals .5,131 3,350

Baptist Church . Rus Carl. sell. 9 205 Sulli van. 461 Bromley 0 i>2 59 Breeze's Hoad 0 76 133 Boatsheds . 9 119 173 Burwood . . ' . 9 83 GO Crariley Street . :i CO 84 Fitzgerald Avenue . n 155 433 Harrow Street . l 67 212 Library, Linvvood 39 071 751 258 Loydon Street . 4 121 M’.Bratney’s Road 3 39 49 Now Brighton . 27 426 412 Rodney Streot . 7 78 111 North New Brighton 27 42G 412 Bowhill Rood 7 78 111 Phillipstown 4 R0 258 Holleston Street . 18 226 284 Richmond . 22 211 463 Slater Street . . 11 139 1G5 Stnnrooro Road . » 9 163 196 Cowlishaw Street 1 57 55 Woodham Rcv^cl 7 143 143 Worcester Street 2 71 79 Totals , . i 206 >*,,420 5,004

Doverciuc. son. Witty. Aylesbury 22 3 4 ’ Annat . . 40 80 25 Burnham 15 7 7 Olaronce Road . 292 230 278 Charing Cross . 14 19 1.3 Barfield . . 41 19 80 Fondalton 182 67 143 Glontunnol • 85 38 70 Groondalo . . 59 45 13 Hanna’s Store . 234 172 240 Hillmorton 8!) 121 130 Hornby 53 ISO 101 Harper’s, Feudal ton. . 402 81 186 Halkott , 22 15 33 Idris Read . , 49 69 76 Islington • . , 28 80 81 Kimberley 2G 8 16 Kirwoo 87 29 74 Papanui School . 249 206 376 Papanui Council Rolleston 81 20 42 10 108 25 Soekburn 68 118 207 Templeton BS 80 91 TJ. Eiccarton Hall , 89 120 261 Wharenui 20 64 69 Weedona 15 11 24 Wost Melton 43 17 40 Woddington . 61 f>5 31. Yaldhurat . • 40 10 52 Harewood . . 5 14 25 2262 1905 2846 LYTTELTON. Macart- \ Dll. Lester, ney. M'Combs. Alcoroa 19 101 214 88 Wainui 1 1 60 6 Takamatua . Courthouse, Lyt2 11 13 15 telton .15 284 140 378 Colonists’ Hall . 19 139 60 167 Duvaucliollo’s 6 34 SO 41 Heatkcoto . 17 69 57 156 Littlo Akaloa S 7 62 li Lo Bon's Oddfellows' HaO, 17 5 SO 0 241 Lyttelton . 47 110 68 Opawa SI) 52 111 254 Okain’a 8 23 20 43 Pockwood’s . 89 51 414 117 Pigoon Bay S 10 46 25 Port Levy . 0 5 28 10 Charteais Bay . 0 11 14 0 Governor's Bay . 21 6 26 11 Puran . 2 3 10 0 Rcdcliffs 49 43 155 150 Sumner . . 64 48 451 171 Toddington . S S 22 4 Woolston Sohool 75 81 107 529 Woolston Hall . 52 125 41 498 Sanatorium 5 3 15 20 Total* . 654 1,229 2,342 0,939

WilBuddo. Jones. liams. Belfast Hall 172 123 214 Buddo Settlement 2.1 25 14 Bunvood 56 ' 114 28 Carleton 4D 42 4 Clarkvillo 2G 30 24 Cust .... 04 107 44 Cooper's Creek 20 ■ 29 21 Eyreton East . 10 46 ' 10 Eyreton West . . its 70 7 . Fevnsido G1 08 3 Kill’s Road 1 42 67 45 Highstead Road . 29 41 12 Up.rewood Road . 42 SO 23 Kirikiri 17 37 8 Kaiapoi 414 . 351 373 Marshland 96 01. Cl Oxford East . 106 151. 78 Oxford West Court 70 80 32 Oxford West School . SO 33 13 Ohoka Council 41 100 43 Ohoka Drain Road 12 10 15 Papamii Church . 22 84 32 Papanui School 111 IT 56 Rangiora CIO 406 513 Rock Ford IB 13 0 Southbrook 70 SS 37 Spcncerville 19 2 5 Swannnnoa 1? 30 8 View Hill . . 30 30 14 Waikuku 5.’’. 36 e Woodend no 91 97 2157 2531 1479 ELLESMERE. Barclay. Rhodes. Ataahua 41 43 Avooa 26 0 Arthur's Pass . . . 60 13 Burnham 7 8 Broadfiold . 10 23 Brooksido . . ' ■11 81 Barr Hill 38 51 Broken River . 16 2 Chertsoy . ■ . 33 30 Coalgato' 32 21 Doyleston 109 SO Dunsandol 110 149 Ellesmcro 15 40 Green park 56 14 91 Glenrov ITalswell 113 228 Hororata 74 121 Homebush 49 37 Irwell 49 6;i Killinchv 47 70 ICowai Bush 20 19 Leeston 150 224 Littlo River * 1R3 63 Lakeside 41 n 2 Lincoln . • • 86 167 Ladbrook’s 31 8* Motukarara 57 51 Milltown . . IM69 Mothven ■ HO 166 Mead 27 3S Pualia 39 34 Prebbleton 101 125 Rt/lleston 11 45 Russell's Flat . Co 35 Rakain 203 170 Rokeby 15 34 Southbridgo 156 182 Spriiigston South Sprimrston 45 86 60 108 Sproydon 87 172 Sedtfemoro 19 32 Springfield 87 42 Te-Pirita 12 22 Te-Olre 11 15 Templeton 23 30 Tni Tapo. 71 168 Wbitocliffs • • 65 1.5 27?* 3420

hurunui. Armstrong. Forbes, Gardner. Amborloy lt>7 1B6 8 Aaidey 51 66 6 Altimarlock Hi 1 1 Avondale , . 0 lilonlioim Old Man's 23 1 Homo G7 41 7 Broomiloid — — — Balcairu 38 35 18 Birchhill (Ashley) — — — Birchhill (W*iniu) 15 22 0 Blind Kivor 10 11 1 Chovlot GG 198 25 Culvorden 78 116 11 Domott •12 61 6 Fairhiill 66 22 1 Fabian Valley 3 16 9 G-roon Hills 10 9 3 Gmssmero is oo 5 11 runner Springs 62 10G 3 HundiUeo 13 25 0 11 a warden 38 68 19 llmunui 18 23 4, Ilillorsdon . 19 00 1 Jordan . , 5 11. 0 Kincaid , 00 41) 8 lvaikoura , 81 226 34 Kaikoura Sub, 31 125 17 Kekerangu 19 IS *2 Lcithfleld 27 25 n Loburn 43 GO u Loburni Forth 34 • 46 6 Lynion Downs . 20 12 0 Lanyley Dale . 7 6 0 Lyndon, Ho. 2 . 15 87 2 Modbury 2 19 20 Motonau 23 47 i! Moleswortli ] 11 0 Netherwood O 3 5 Omihi r,i 85 i Omaki t 20 - 14 0 Onamalutu 15 6 0 ParnittssiiD 41 63 6 Puhi Pubi . 17 13 G Kotborham £9 59 3 Riohmondbrook 30 13 0 Spotswood 40 41 6 Soiton 80 123 17 Scargill . , 42 24 7 Stonyhniirt 12 12 4 ,Seddon 170 98 2 licaview Bt Andrew's, River 18 0 0 lands . 33 39 2 Tho Peaks 13 21. 11 To Ron . G ’ 12 1 Tho Delia 7 19 0 11 poet s 4 1 Waiknri 27 128 13 Waiau 77 147 4 IVai para 65 44 10 Woodirrovo G2 51 G TVairau Valley . 20 29 1 Ward 57 81 7 Wharanui 6 14 1 Woodbaiik 2ft 25 1 ' 281G 2203 351