COUNCIL BY-ELECTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 107, 2 April 1930, Page 4

COUNCIL BY-ELECTION.

HEAVY POLLING AT CHRISTCHURCH. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH April 1. The by-election for the City Council, which was rendered necessary by the death of Councillor P. W. Sharpe (Labour), resulted in Mr C. E. Jones, Citizens’ Association candidate, defeating Mr H. T. Armstrong (Labour). The voting was as follows: C. E. Jones 11,324 H. T. Armstrong 8,690 The polling was unprecedentedly heavy for a by-election. Importance was given to the contest by tlie fact that the return of the Citizens’ Association candidate would transfer the balance of power in the City Council from the Labour Party to tire Citizens’ Party. Previously tho Labour Party has had a majority of one, with th 6 aid of Dr. Thacker, who was returned as an Independent. The advantage may prove to be short-lived, however, as Mr J. A. Flesher, one of the Citizens’ Party on the council, intends leaving for America on a health trip. The result of the election is a serious blow to the prestige of the Labour Party, and especially to the prestige of the Mayor, Rev. J. K. Archer. Tho party treated the candidature of Mr Jones with scorn, and stated confidently that Mr Armstrong would . lie returned by an overwhelming majority.