PATEA ‘BY-ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1921, Page 4

PATEA ‘BY-ELECTION.

ISSUE OF WRIT THIS WEEK. CANDIDATES MENTIONED. The by-election at Patea, rendered necessary by the death of Mr. W. D. Powdrell, is already arousing keen interest in political circles. According to the Dunedin Star, Colonel T. W. McDonald, who was recently retired from the Defence Force consequent on the abolition of the Gtago Military District, will definitely contest the seat. The Dunedin paper does not state in what interests Colonel ’McDonald will stand, but a Daily News reporter gathered that he will not be a Government candidate. The Government has not yet selected its candidate, but an announcement may be looked for towards the end of thia week. It is reported in Hawera that Mr. W. Morrison, who stood as a Liberal at the general election in 49(19, will again come forward, but Mr. Morrison has not made any definite announcement. A telegram from Wellington says: “There is felt to be no need to hasten the issue of the writ for the Patea byelection, as there is no possibility of the newly-elected member taking his seaX this session. .The Speaker has notified the House of Representatives of the death of Mr. W. D. Powdrell and it is expected the writ will be issued at the end of this week.” The writ is returnable within 28 days, so that if it is issued at the end of this week the byelection will be held in about a month’s time.