RANGITIKEI BY-ELECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 482, 18 September 1909, Page 3

RANGITIKEI BY-ELECTION.

WIN FOR MR HOCKLEY. SECOND BAEEOT NECESSARY. The election of a member for the Rangitikei constituency took place on Thursday, and resulted in Mr Hockley being returned at the head of the first ballot with Mr Smith in close attendance. The polling was as follows : —Hockley (O) 1548 ; Smith (G) 1055 ; Meldrum (G) 903 ; Georgetti (I) 34° ; Hornblow (G) 333. It will be seen that as Mr Hockley failed to obtain an absolute majority a second ballot will be necessary between Messrs Hockley and Smith, Contrary to expectation, Mr Smith who stood as an Independent at the late general election and nearly wrested the laurels from Mr Remington, the Government candidate, succeeded in topping Mr Meldrum by a substantial majority. This, in spite of the fact that the Government were lending what support they could to Mr Meldrum. Mr Smith’s principal support was received at Taihape where he polled 403 votes to Mr Hockley’s 113. At Hunterville Mr Smith only polled 8 votes as against Mr Hockley’s 181. Hunterville was Mr Meldrum’s strong centre, he having polled 257. From appearances it would seem that there is nothing to stop Mr Smith’s return at the second ballot. The contest created a good deal of interest throughout the Dominion and was fought with the utmost good feeling.