FRANKLIN BY-ELECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2898, 18 June 1925, Page 2

FRANKLIN BY-ELECTION.

REFORM CANDIDATE'S VICTORY. THREE TO ONE MAJORITY. Pukekohe, Last Night. The final figures of the Franklin by-election are: — McLennan (Reform 5,865 Montgomerie (Labour) 2,159 Majority 3,700 The voting at the previous poll, at the general election, was: — Massey (Reform) 5,164 Rae (Liberal) 2,475 Majority 2,689 PRIME MINISTER’S REMARKS. Auckland, Last Night. “It is hardly necessary for me to say that the signal victory of the Government candidate in the Franklin by-election contest will give the greatest satisfaction to the very large majoriy of the people of New Zealand,” said the Prime Minister to night. “It constitutes a remarkable tribute to the memory of the illustrious statesman who represented the constituency in Parliament throughalmost the whole of period of his political career and whose loss Franklin, in common with the rest of the Dominion, honours to-day. Moreover, the result shows in no uncertain manner that the electors have turned a deaf ear to the fanciful and Socialistic doctrines which were placed before them. Mr MeLennan’s victory will be hailed with pleasure by all of our fellow-citi-zens who have the cause of sound and stable government at heart." mr. McLennan'fc career. Auckland, June 17. Mr Ewen Donald McLennan was born in 1861 upon a farm near Papakttni, which is his home to-day. His father was a very early Auckland settler, Duncan McLennan, and the family history is wrapped up with that of the Auckland province. Mr McLennan, senior, reached Austialia from Scotland in IS3B, and crossed to Auckland not long after the establishment of the city. For a \ear or more he was in business in Sliortland St., and then returned In Australia. About 1845 he came to Auckland again and purchased a farm of 450 acres at Papakura. He .-eltled there with his family, and remained there in peace till 1863. when the Maori War threatened all settlers in the Lower Waikato. -V Maori war party arrived late one day in canoes from another part of the Manukau foreshore, and disembarked a quarter of a mile from Ale Li Milan's homestead. They discussed whether they would attack him and a few nearby settlers at once or wait til! the next day. The latter course l was decided upon. In the meantime a friendly native told McLennan. who sent a message to the colonial troops at Otahuhu, and Major Nixon promptly rode out with a parly of volunteers who killed or dispersed all the rebels and seized their canoes. After this experience the family removed to Auckland Ewen McLennan being two years of age at the time. He has been at various times chairman of the Wain a Road Board. Papakura Road Board and Papakura Town" Board, president of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association for three years, chairman for three years of tlie joint committee controlling the Auckland Winter Exhibition, chairman of the Auckland Agricultural Committee, a member of the Board of Agriculture Commission on Agricultural Education, and of the executive of the New Zealand Royal Show. lie was a foundation member of tlu* New Zealand .Jersey Bleeders' Association and its president for four consecutive years. He is a Past Master of Masonic Lodge, Papakura, New Zealand Constitu lion.