WESTLAND ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1925, Page 2

WESTLAND ELECTION.

THE POLL DECLARED. SEDDON ELECTED ON CASTING VOTE. The intense interest shown in the result of the Westland election since tolling day had been intensified since Sunday when a tie was announced with three votes to come. The interest was added to hv the announcement from Westport on Monday afternoon that there were apparently six Westland votes there. Throughout yesterday there was a simmer of excitement throughout the district as to when the result would l*e announced, it being known that tlie Westport package had come bv tlie morning mail.

The Returning Officer and scrutineers recommenced their work at 10.30 a.m. and as the hours passed the excitement and interest- was intensified. At- 3.20 p.m. Mr G. li. Coles (Returning Offi(er) announced the result of the poll as follows ; - O’BRIF.N 1170 SEDDON -1176

The Returning Officer gave his casting vote in favor of the latter, and declared Mr Seddon elected. There was an animated scene in front of the “Guardian’’ Office when the result was posted and much comment on the closeness of the voting. The following particulars were later supplied by the Returning Officer. THE VOTING.

There were 2-1 declaration votes cast by persons not entitled to vote and these were not received. The effective number on the roll was 2939 and of this numlicr 8421. voted, leaving o()9 votes not recorded. It is understood that the six papers from Westport- were not- accepted, being incomplete.

In connection with the licensing recount that was continued this morning. it will he duly announced as -oon as completed. LYTTELTON RESULT. ALSO A TIE. LYONS ELECTED ON LASTING VOTE. IV TEt-ECUIAPH —PRESS ASSN., OOPYKTOnT CHRISTCHURCH, November 18. Mr M. E. Lyons, tin' Reform candidate for Lyttelton, was declared elected to-day, on the casting vote ol the llel timing Officer. Alter an anxious wait ol a fortnight. the final results ol the Lyttelton election was announced a little alter five o’clock this evening. The re--ull was as follows: Mr Lyons (R) 4901 Mr McCombs (Lab) ... 4900 Informal 94 The Returning Officer also announced that the missing voles had all been accounted for. The filial count had resulted in a tie. each polling 4900 votes, and lie had exercised his casting vote in favour of Mr Lyons, whom he declared elected. MR (DATES SAYS NOTHING. DUNEDIN. Nov. 19. When approached this morning with I lie fact that both Lyttelton and Westland elections were decided by the easting votes of returning officers cast in each case against, the immediate past member for the electorate, the Hon I. (I. Coates said: “I suppose there are recounts and so oil still to conic. SI lea-l, there probably will be. T prefer tn suv nothing in the matter at i he | resent stage.’’

O’Brien Soil don Info. Cast iit Mouths ... 4010 3008 08 Absentee votes ... 1.13 17G 1 .Seamen's votes 1 1 — Declaration votes 3 1 — 'totals ... 1170 406 09