Smith Added Past Two Majorities Together

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1949, Page 4

Smith Added Past Two Majorities Together

POLL IN HOBSON .

KAIKOHE, Thu. (Sp.).—Nearly 70 per cent of the 12,649 votes counted last night by the returning officer for Hobson electorate (Mr E. G. Tyler) were cast for the sitting National member, Mr S. W. Sryith. The majority was 4767. This represents an increase of no less than 1187 on the 3580 majority recorded by Mr Smith in the 1946 general election. His majority in 1943 was 1276. When Mr Tyler had received figures from all the 120 booths at his 113 polling places just before 10 p.m. the figures were: Smith 8708 Lane 3941

Tiie poll was, by all appearances, a heavy one. The effective roll stood at 15,(Pi!), with a further 111 registered since the closing of the Supplementary Roll. Most of these 111 would'be entitled to vote. The number on the roll at the previous election was 14,502-

booth, near Waipapakauri. Such was the state of the poll in Hobson, which has been transformed in three elections from a Labour seat to what must now be regarded as one of the safest strongholds of the new National Government.

11 is known that another 70C votes—--284 postal, 322 abesntee, and possibly 150 declaration—are not yet counted. Last election these extra votes were distributed in much the same proportion as was the general poll, slightly increasing M Smith’s majority. Mr Tyler does not expect to have the official count finalised before tomorrow week. The licensing poll should be completed two days afterwards. Informal votes counted to date are 75 Last election’s complete tolly of informal papers was 114.

GENERAL NATIONAL SWING On examination, the poll reveals a surprising degree of consolidation in Mr Smith’s National vote. Three years ago, he trebled his former majority; yesterday he added the two majorities together. It cannot be viewed any way but as a tremendous pointer to the electorate’s political mind.

Exactly. 13 polling places in Hobson —out of 113—showed majorities for Mr Lane.

Biggest was at Waiharara where there was a margin of 41. Three years ago, Mr Hatricks majority at Waiharara was 72.

The reduction is symptomatic of most places. In almost all cases, the National vote has gone up and the Labour vote either remained stationary or gone down.

The larger centres were no exception to this trend-

STUDY OF MAIN BOOTHS

At Dargaville, main population in the electorate, Mr Smith increased exactly 50 on his 1946 total of 746, while Labour dropped by 105 from 572 to 467.

At Kaitaia, National jumped from 636 to 678; Labour dropped from 350 to ap3.

At Kaikohe, National went up from 450 to 567; Labour went down from 265 to 249.

At Kawakawa, Mr Smith went up by one vote on his 1946 total of 245; Mr Lane pushed Mr Hatriek’s total up from 194 to 199.

He did the same at Te Kopuru, rising from 128 to 136, while Mr Smith increased by two to 180.

At Ruawai, however, the general trend was in evidence. Mr Smith rose 36 to 300; Mr Lane dropped by 10 to 135.

At Kerikeri Central, Mr Smith increased by 3G to 234; Mr Lane dropped by 24 to a total of 73. Mr Smith increased four at Kaeo, gaining 234 votes; Mr Lane dropped 20, gaining 70. At Okaihau. Mr Smith dropped nine, gaining 159, but Mr Lane dropped from 115 to 88. VOTE AT MOEREYVA.

Industrial Moerewa gave Mr Smith 109 votes, an increase of 20, and Mr Lane 127, an increase of 0.

In the Dargaville suburb of Mangawhare, Mr Hatrick had 155 and Mr Lane received 2 less; Mr Smith leaped up from 78 to 124.

It was the same story a' Mangonui, where Mr Hatrick won 41 voters over, Mr Lane 42, while Mr Smith increased from 89 to 122.

Largest booth in North Hokianga, Broadvvood reduced its rbour vote from 71 to 47, increased its National vote from 124 to 151.

Kohukohu barely alterec*. Mr Lane came down 5 to 49 and Mr Smith came down 4 to 92.

In South Hokianga, Rawene lessened Labour’s tally from 9(1 to 92, but increased National’s from 109 to 125. At Waimamaku, where Mr Hatrick hud 21 votes, Mr Lane gained a bare nine, yet Mr Smith more than doubled from 59 to 122. IN THEIR HOME TOWNS.

The Labour candidate may have gained some small comfort in the fact ihat Pakaraka, nearest polling-place to Mr Smith’s home, increased his score from 7 to 12 and reduced his opponent’s from 87 to G 9. In Mr Lane's own home-town. Opua, he bettered Mr Hatrick’s total ot 50 by 9 but topped Mr Smith’s 55 by only 1. Paihia did not see things the same way at all, reducing Labour from 57 to 51 and increasing National from 102 to 140

Two booths showed eve r pegging— Ahipara 10—10 and Parore 21—21.

Two others, Aratapu £B—39 and Pukenui 20 —21, gave Mr Smith a majority of 1. Mr Lane had the Same majority at the new Paparore