A CLOSE CONTEST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 62, 18 July 1913, Page 5

A CLOSE CONTEST.

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THE GREY ELECTION.

SECOND BALLOT NECESSARY

[Per Pbess Association.]

(irevmouth, July 17

The (-rev election attracted great! interest in the district to-day, and the voting was particularly brisk, the total votes cast being within two of) those polled at the general election in 1911, when, of course, the licensing question attracted a considerable votethat would not usually be cast in a purely political issue. The three candidates finished, as the sporting writer would say, only heads away, the final result being:— Michel (Government) ... 2160 Webb (Labor) ... ■•• 207-i Hannan (Opposition) ... 1982 A few absent votes are still to come to hand, but these cannot affect the result. A second ballot will now be held between -Messrs Michel and Webb.

At the last general election in 1911, Mr P. C. Webb, a Labor candidate, was defeated by Sir A'. Guinness (.Government) for the Grey seat, the voting being: Guinness 3677, Webb 2359, a total of 0216 votes, out of an electoral roll of 7623. At the present bye-election, the total of vote: polled was 621-1, which is only, two votes away from {ho last record. Mill. L. Michel, who now heads tin poll, was defeated at the last elec-

dnn by Mr T. E. Y. Seddon for the Westland seat, the polling being Seddon 3443, Michel 3172. A second ballot for the Grey seat will now b< necessary betAveen Mr Michel, who ifstanding in the Government interest, and Mr Webb, the Labor candidate. Mr Michel at the last election stood in the Liberal interest.

THE LATEST FIGURES

Greymouth, July 18

Following are the latest corrected figures:—Michel 2161, Webb 2073, Hannan 1982. Absent voters' permits (92), and seamen's votes (six) ciinnot alter the result so far as the holding of a second ballot is concerned.