Lyttelton By-Election.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 85, 10 December 1913, Page 5

Lyttelton By-Election.

J. McCOMBS AT THE TOP.

SECOND BALLOT NECESSARY. [Per Press Association.] Christchurch, December 9. The Lyttelton by-election rendered necessary by the death of Mr Geo. Laursenson, took place to-day, and caused considerable interest. Totals are as fololw : J. McCombs (Social-Democrat) 2057 J. Miller (Government) ... 1500 .1. B. Laurenson (Liberal) ... 922 Dr. Thacker (independent Liberal) 270 W. Radcliffe (Independent Liberal) 112 Total votes polled ... 4914 A second ballot is rendered necessary between J. McCombs and J. Miller, and will be taken seven days hence. The voting at last election was as follows: ('. Laurenson ... ... ... 4160 C. Cook ... ... 2081 Majority for Laurenson . 2079 THE TOP-NOTCHER. [Mr J. McCombs, who has headed the first poll for the Lyttelton seat, is not a novice in politics, for he has contested three previous elections, having twice stood against Mr T. H.

Davey for Christchurch East, and once against Mr G. W. Russell for Avon, on all three occasions polling heavily. He is employed in the drapery firm of Messrs Toneycliffe and Carey, and while lacking personal magnetism, Mr McCombs is stated by one who knows him well to be a widely-read, sincere and honest thinker and worker. He was associated with the late Mr T. E. Taylor for many years in both his work in the prohibition cause and in political and social reform. One who knows him very well states that Mr McCombs is more an advanced Liberal than anything else and his alleged Socialism is purely theoretical. Mr McCombs is a strong advocate for a system of preferential voting, and the scheme which he has personally evolved has on several occasions received the consideration of Cabinet. He is also a strong supporter of the bare majority, and is a social reformer who is widely respected. He is a man of about 36 years of age and married Miss Stella Henderson. M.A.. a wellknown social worker in Christchurch.]