CITY MAYORALTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22104, 9 May 1935, Page 11

CITY MAYORALTY

A CLOSE CONTEST MAJORITY OF MR. DAVIS ANALYSIS OF THE BOOTHS DISTRICT VOTING FEATURES By a majority of 40() votes in a record poll Mr E. H. Davis, the Citizens' Committee candidate, was successful in 'the contest for the Auclsland Mayoralty. The final result of the provisional count was as follows: E. H. Davis (C) . . . • 14,213 J. Sayegh (!«)•• • • A. J. Stallworthy .. 8,399 Majority for Davis . . 4013 As was the case at the last municipal election, the voting was exceedingly close between the Citizens' Committee candidate and the Labour nominee. In 1033 Mr. G- W. Hutchison's majority over Mr. H. G. R. Mason, M P., on the provisional count was 442. Large Number of Voters There was a total of 61,684 names on the roll and 36.894 voters exercised their privilege, a percentage of approximately 59.7 In 1933 the roll strength was 43,712 and 21,327 voted, or 48.8 per cent This year's poll was a record in many respects. The number of voters on the roll was the largest ever recorded. 'as were the total and percentage of the votes cast. Previously the heaviest poll recorded in the city was in 1929 when 23,990 votes were cast, equal to 50.8 per cent of the names on' the 1 roll The first return to reach the returning officer, Mr. P. F. Notley, was from St. Chad's Church Hall. Meadowbank. which arrived by telephone 20 minutes after the closing of the poll. The first five returns gave Mr. Sayegh a small majority over Mr Davis, with Mr Stallworthy third in the voting. Those positions remained unchanged until the large return from the Chamber of Commerce was received at 7.40 o'clock. In this individual return Mr. Davis received 1046 votes, Mr. Stallworth v 516 and Mr. Sayegh 191Progress Returns

Shortly afterwards the I'owri trial I return saw the vote for Mr. Davis further augmented He received 1083 votes, Mr Savegh 812 and Mr. Stallworthy 689 The totals at that stage from 20 returns were:—Mr. Davis. 715 M; Mr. Sayegh. 5420; Mr Stallworthy 4114 'From then on Mr. Davis maintained hit" lead, although at several booths ° notably L'oint Chevalier Hall, St. Benedict's Hall, St. James' Hall. Wellington Street, the Church of Chrint, Ponsonby Uoad, and Epiphany. Church Hall. Newton, Mr. Sayegh polled strongly. The third large return wa.» from the - nstitute. Three Lamps, where Mr. Sayegh received 924 votes. Mr. Davis 7:«) and Mr Stallworthy 440 There was not one individual return which gave a majority for Mr Stallworthy. l'here sva> a tuirlv large proportion ot informal votes which numbered 469. compared with 4tf7 at the last mayoral election It is probable that durinn the official count, which will start today, some of these votes will he accepted-, bv the returning officer as valid, but the result is not likelv to be seriously affected

CAUSE OF LABOUR MR SAYEGH'S APPRECIATION "It was a glorious tight and I thank very deeply every one who was able to vote for Labour" said Mr. J. Sayegh, Labour candidate for the Auckland Mayoralty, addressing a large gathering from the HkbaU) building in Wymlharri Street after the provisional Count had been announced. "We can congratulate ourselves that we were able to get so close to victory," added Mr Savegh, "and it is a sure indication that from now on the Labour/'Partv will he knocking at the door." ■ Mr ."*ayegh concluded by expressing his keen appreciation of the assistance receiunl from "a wonderful band of helpers;"