NO CHANGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2575, 3 May 1923, Page 3

NO CHANGE.

().\ MA RU BY-ELECTION. LIBERAL CANDIDATE RETURNED. MR. AIacPIIEKSOX’S MAJORITY INCREASED. The Onmaru by-election on Tuesday resulted in the return of the Liberal-Labour candidate, Air J. A. MacPherson, who defeated the former Minister of Justice, the Hon. E. P. Lee, by 3-11) votes on tlie preliminary count. The numbers polled bv I lie respective candidates were: ’ AIncITIEESON, J. A. ... 4352 LEE, HON. E. P 4012 Majority for AiacPherson 340 Of 342 absentee voters' permits issued only 202 were exercised. The counting of these votes cannot at- , feet the result. At the General Election 8,120 valid votes were east, whereas the total on Tuesday was 8,704, an increase of 584. In December last the result was in doubt until the final figures of the recount were announced, and these gave Air MacPherson a majority of .11, A petition lodged In the lion, E. I’. Lee was considered by the Election Court, and the poll was upset on a technicality, ami a new election ordered. This look place on Tuesday and aroused considerable interest, not only in Onmaru, hut throughout New Zealand. With 584 more votes cast, the Liberal-Labour candidate was able to increase his majority substantially. Excluding absentee votes, Air Lee polled 3,047 at the General Election and 4,012 on Tuesday, while Air AlaePherson’s total increased from 3.057 to 4,352. At the town of Oamaru (lie voting on Tuesday, compared with the General Election voting was: —By-Election: AiacPherson 2,111, Lee 1050. There was an increased vote at Palmerston South, but the town again gave a majority to AiacPherson.