LABOUR WINS.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 19826, 1 October 1936, Page 3

LABOUR WINS.

MANUKAU BY-ELECTION.

G. Osborne Returned BY LARGE MAJORITY. HEAVY POLLING RECORDED. (Special to "Star.") AUCKLAND, Oct. 1. Considerable interest was taken yesterday in* the Manukau by-elec-tion. There was heavy voting at all the polling booths, the Labour Party's candidate, Mr. A. G. Osborne, being returned by a majority of 4411 votes over the Votes recorded by the'Nationalist candidate, Mr. F. W. Doidge, The result of the voting was:— A, G. Osborne .... 8,241 F. W. Doidge 3,830

The number of votes cast was slightly loAver than those recorded at the general election last NoVembcr. Yesterday a total of 12,100 electors exercised their votes, compared with 13,384 at the general election. In the November election Mr. W. J. Jordan gained a clear majority of 5382 over his opponents, so that Mr. Doidge reduced the Government's majority in the electorate by 971. Mr. Jordan gained 70.22 per cent, of the Votes east, while yesterday Mr. Osborne polled 68.10 per cent, of the total votes recorded. . There are 174 absentee votes and 370 postal votes to come. Mr. Osborne obtained majorities at 15 of the 17 polling booths. Mr. Doidge's only majority was that at the Epsom Methodist Hall, where he polled 962 votes to Mr. Osborne's 677. At the Green Lane Fire Station, the candidates tied with 253 Votes each. The heaviest voting was at the Onehunga Foresters' Hall, where 1873 votes were polled, while other high returns were: Royal Oak, 1719; Epsom, 1639; Ellerslie, 1286; and Onehunga Salvation Army Barracks, 1244.' ' Mr. Osborne's biggest majority was gained at the Onehunga. Foresters'-Hall, where he polled 947 votes more than his opponent. Voting closed at' 7 p.m., and the

first return was received'by Mr. D. Smith, the returning officer, at the ♦ Onehunga post office at 12 minutes past seVen. Other returns came ir at frequent intervals, the final return being received at 7.40. In view of the widespread nature of the electorate and the magnitude of the poll it is thought that this must almost constitute, a record.. ;