1909 Rangitikei by-election

New Zealand by-election

1909 Rangitikei by-election

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| <- 1908 general | 23 September 1909 (1909-09-23) | 1911 general ->

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Candidate  | Robert Smith | Frank Hockly
Party  | Liberal | Reform
Popular vote  | 2,410 | 2,011
Percentage  | 54.51 | 45.49

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| Member before election

Arthur Remington
Liberal

| Elected Member

Robert Smith
Liberal

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The 1909 Rangitikei by-election was a by-election held during the 17th New Zealand Parliament in the Rangitikei electorate of the North Island. This was the sixth by-election since the Rangitikei electorate was established for the 1861 election. The previous by-election took place in 1892 and the following one took place in 1978. The Second Ballot Act 1908 was in force and in the first ballot, and Frank Hockly of the opposition Reform Party won the first ballot, but Robert William Smith of the governing Liberal Party was ultimately chosen in the second ballot.

## Background

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The by-election was caused after the death of Liberal Party MP Arthur Remington on 17 August 1909.[1] Remington died at his home in Tinakori Road, Wellington, at the age of 53.[2]

Six candidates were announced on 9 September for the by-election: Frank Hockly and George Hutchison were candidates for the opposition, Robert Hornblow was a candidate for Liberal–Labour, James Georgetti was an independent, and Robert Smith and William Meldrum were candidates for the Liberal Party.[3] However, ultimately George Hutchison did not appear on the ballot as he agreed to stand down in the interests of the Reform Party in favour of Hockly.[4]

The Second Ballot Act 1908 was in force and had previously been used for the 1908 election. This was the second by-election where it applied, and the act stipulated that the leading candidate had to obtain an absolute majority of the votes, or else the two highest polling candidates would face each other in a second election. No candidate received an absolute majority in the first ballot on 17 September and consequently a second ballot took place on 23 September.[5]

## Results

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The following tables give the election results:

### First ballot

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1909 Rangitikei by-election: First ballot[6][7] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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| Reform | Frank Hockly | 1,548  | 37.04  |
| Liberal | Robert Smith | 1,055  | 25.25  |
| Liberal | William Meldrum | 903  | 21.61  |
| Independent | James Georgetti  | 340  | 8.14  |
| Liberal–Labour | Robert Hornblow | 333  | 7.97  |
Turnout | 4,179  |  |

Hockly received a plurality of votes, receiving 1,548 votes of the total of 4,179. Meldrum was expected to receive the votes from those in favour of the Liberal Government,[3] however Smith ultimately came in second place. As no candidate received a majority, a second ballot took place one week later.[5]

### Second ballot

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1909 Rangitikei by-election: Second ballot[8] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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| Liberal | Robert Smith | 2,410  | 54.51  | +29.26
| Reform | Frank Hockly | 2,011  | 45.49  | +8.45
Majority  | 399  | 9.03  |
Turnout | 4,421  |  |

The second ballot resulted in the return of Liberal candidate Smith, who was elected by a majority of 399 votes. Despite the in-fighting from Government candidates in the first ballot, they stood faithfully in favour of Smith for the second ballot. Thomas Mackenzie, who at the time served as Minister of Agriculture, attributed the victory to "a recognition on the part of the electors that the Government is honestly striving to do its very best in the interests of the country" and took the rural vote of the electorate to be an approval of his ministry's work.[8]

### Results by locality

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Following are two tables showcasing the detailed results by locality for each of the two ballots.

First ballot[5]

Locality | Hockly (Reform) | Smith (Liberal) | Meldrum (Liberal) | Georgetti (Independent) | Hornblow (Liberal–Labour) | Winner

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Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | %
Aberfeldie | 12 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 18.75 | 1 | 6.25 | 0 | 0 | Hockly
Awarua | 2 | 22.22 | 4 | 44.44 | 2 | 22.22 | 1 | 11.11 | 0 | 0 | Smith
Bell's Junction | 14 | 34.15 | 19 | 46.34 | 6 | 14.63 | 1 | 2.44 | 1 | 2.44 | Smith
Eastbrook | 83 | 39.15 | 11 | 5.19 | 65 | 30.66 | 4 | 1.89 | 49 | 23.11 | Hockly
Fordell | 112 | 65.5 | 10 | 5.85 | 33 | 19.3 | 2 | 1.17 | 14 | 8.19 | Hockly
Hunterville | 181 | 38.35 | 8 | 1.69 | 257 | 54.45 | 14 | 2.97 | 12 | 2.54 | Meldrum
Kaweka Road | 4 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Tied
Koeke | 13 | 30.23 | 1 | 2.33 | 22 | 51.16 | 5 | 11.63 | 2 | 4.65 | Meldrum
Kakatahi | 14 | 29.79 | 11 | 23.4 | 20 | 42.55 | 1 | 2.13 | 1 | 2.13 | Meldrum
Kauangaroa | 18 | 75 | 2 | 8.33 | 4 | 16.67 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Hockly
Long Acre Valley | 13 | 56.52 | 1 | 4.35 | 9 | 39.13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Hockly
Lower Kawhatau | 9 | 21.43 | 5 | 11.9 | 6 | 14.29 | 17 | 40.48 | 5 | 11.9 | Georgetti
Mangahoe Road | 30 | 90.91 | 1 | 3.03 | 2 | 6.06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Hockly
Mangamahu | 49 | 74.24 | 1 | 1.52 | 12 | 18.18 | 4 | 6.06 | 0 | 0 | Hockly
Mangaonoho | 25 | 39.06 | 6 | 9.38 | 32 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.56 | Meldrum
Mangaweka | 52 | 16.2 | 61 | 19 | 25 | 7.79 | 111 | 34.58 | 72 | 22.43 | Georgetti
Manui | 7 | 22.58 | 6 | 19.35 | 5 | 16.13 | 3 | 9.68 | 10 | 32.26 | Hornblow
Marybank | 56 | 80 | 4 | 5.71 | 10 | 14.29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Hockly
Mataroa | 47 | 42.73 | 23 | 20.91 | 16 | 14.55 | 13 | 11.82 | 11 | 10 | Hockly
Moawhango | 15 | 31.91 | 9 | 19.15 | 20 | 42.55 | 3 | 6.38 | 0 | 0 | Meldrum
Ngawaka | 6 | 16.22 | 27 | 72.97 | 3 | 8.11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2.7 | Smith
Ohingaiti | 57 | 46.72 | 36 | 29.51 | 15 | 12.3 | 12 | 9.84 | 2 | 1.64 | Hockly
Okoia | 82 | 86.32 | 2 | 2.11 | 8 | 8.42 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3.16 | Hockly
Otairi | 33 | 67.35 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 32.65 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Hockly
Pohonui | 7 | 33.33 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 66.67 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Meldrum
Polgreen's Corner | 42 | 82.35 | 6 | 11.76 | 3 | 5.88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Hockly
Poukiore | 31 | 70.45 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 25 | 1 | 2.27 | 1 | 2.27 | Hockly
Pukeokahu | 7 | 21.88 | 4 | 12.5 | 2 | 6.25 | 19 | 59.38 | 0 | 0 | Georgetti
Rangiwaea | 6 | 54.55 | 3 | 27.27 | 2 | 18.18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Hockly
Rata | 41 | 37.61 | 42 | 38.53 | 22 | 20.18 | 2 | 1.83 | 2 | 1.83 | Smith
Ruahine | 17 | 28.81 | 23 | 38.98 | 10 | 16.95 | 4 | 6.78 | 5 | 8.47 | Smith
Ruanui | 15 | 50 | 7 | 23.33 | 4 | 13.33 | 4 | 13.33 | 0 | 0 | Hockly
Taihape | 113 | 16.03 | 403 | 57.16 | 93 | 13.19 | 27 | 3.83 | 69 | 9.79 | Smith
Taoroa | 21 | 53.85 | 5 | 12.82 | 8 | 20.51 | 2 | 5.13 | 3 | 7.69 | Hockly
Tauakira | 13 | 72.22 | 1 | 5.56 | 1 | 5.56 | 3 | 16.67 | 0 | 0 | Hockly
Te Kapua Block | 9 | 30 | 14 | 46.67 | 7 | 23.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Smith
Tiriraukawa | 12 | 44.44 | 3 | 11.11 | 6 | 22.22 | 4 | 14.81 | 2 | 7.41 | Hockly
Toi Toi | 1 | 33.33 | 1 | 33.33 | 1 | 33.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Tied
Torere | 1 | 1.47 | 24 | 35.29 | 21 | 30.88 | 16 | 23.53 | 6 | 8.82 | Smith
Turangarere Railway station | 5 | 7.94 | 49 | 77.78 | 7 | 11.11 | 1 | 1.59 | 1 | 1.59 | Smith
Turangarere Schoolhouse | 19 | 45.24 | 19 | 45.24 | 4 | 9.52 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Tied
Upokongaro | 59 | 64.13 | 2 | 2.17 | 8 | 8.7 | 18 | 19.57 | 5 | 5.43 | Hockly
Upper Kawhatau | 23 | 43.4 | 14 | 26.42 | 1 | 1.89 | 10 | 18.87 | 5 | 9.43 | Hockly
Upper Turakina Valley | 14 | 35.9 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 61.54 | 1 | 2.56 | 0 | 0 | Meldrum
Utiku | 20 | 13.79 | 67 | 46.21 | 14 | 9.66 | 15 | 10.34 | 29 | 20 | Smith
Wainui | 12 | 40 | 14 | 46.67 | 4 | 13.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Smith
Wakelin's | 5 | 17.86 | 10 | 35.71 | 3 | 10.71 | 2 | 7.14 | 8 | 28.57 | Smith
Wairepo | 9 | 47.37 | 3 | 15.79 | 3 | 15.79 | 1 | 5.26 | 3 | 15.79 | Hockly
Whangaehu | 36 | 64.29 | 4 | 7.14 | 11 | 19.64 | 2 | 3.57 | 3 | 5.36 | Hockly
Winiata | 12 | 19.05 | 27 | 42.86 | 8 | 12.7 | 11 | 17.46 | 5 | 7.94 | Smith
Total | 1,548 | 37.04 | 1,055 | 25.25 | 903 | 21.61 | 340 | 8.14 | 333 | 7.97 | Hockly

Second ballot[8]

Locality | Hockly (Reform) | Smith (Liberal) | Winner

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Votes | % | Votes | %
Aberfeldie | 16 | 94.12 | 1 | 5.89 | Hockly
Awarua | 0 | 0 | 4 | 100 | Smith
Bell's Junction | 21 | 44.68 | 26 | 55.32 | Smith
Bennett's Siding | 10 | 12.5 | 70 | 87.5 | Smith
Eastbrook | 153 | 49.58 | 155 | 50.32 | Smith
Fordell | 112 | 69.57 | 49 | 30.43 | Hockly
Hunterville | 223 | 47.55 | 246 | 52.45 | Smith
Kaweka Road | 6 | 75 | 2 | 25 | Hockly
Koeke | 19 | 45.24 | 23 | 54.76 | Smith
Kakatahi | 16 | 38.1 | 26 | 61.9 | Smith
Kauangaroa | 23 | 82.14 | 5 | 17.86 | Hockly
Long Acre Valley | 13 | 72.22 | 5 | 27.78 | Hockly
Lower Kawhatau | 12 | 26.09 | 34 | 73.91 | Smith
Mangahoe Road | 35 | 100 | 0 | 0 | Hockly
Mangamahu | 56 | 77.78 | 16 | 22.22 | Hockly
Mangaonoho | 26 | 40.63 | 38 | 59.38 | Smith
Mangaweka | 85 | 28.43 | 214 | 71.57 | Smith
Manui | 11 | 33.33 | 22 | 66.67 | Smith
Marybank | 72 | 80 | 18 | 20 | Hockly
Mataroa | 48 | 48 | 52 | 52 | Smith
Moawhango | 26 | 53.06 | 23 | 46.94 | Hockly
Ngawaka | 17 | 41.46 | 24 | 58.54 | Smith
Ohingaiti | 72 | 60 | 48 | 40 | Hockly
Okoia | 92 | 88.46 | 12 | 11.54 | Hockly
Otairi | 35 | 72.92 | 13 | 27.08 | Hockly
Pohonui | 9 | 39.13 | 14 | 60.87 | Smith
Polgreen's Corner | 51 | 87.93 | 7 | 12.07 | Hockly
Poukiore | 39 | 81.25 | 9 | 18.75 | Hockly
Pukeokahu | 16 | 57.14 | 12 | 42.86 | Hockly
Rangiwaea | 7 | 58.33 | 5 | 41.67 | Hockly
Rata | 56 | 47.46 | 62 | 52.54 | Smith
Ruahine | 13 | 20 | 52 | 80 | Smith
Ruanui | 22 | 70.97 | 9 | 29.03 | Hockly
Taihape | 188 | 23.95 | 597 | 76.05 | Smith
Taoroa | 26 | 60.47 | 17 | 39.53 | Hockly
Tauakira | 6 | 50 | 6 | 50 | Tied
Te Kapua Block | 11 | 36.67 | 19 | 63.33 | Smith
Tiriraukawa | 14 | 50 | 14 | 50 | Tied
Toi Toi | 1 | 50 | 1 | 50 | Tied
Torere | 12 | 16.9 | 59 | 83.1 | Smith
Turangarere Railway station | 6 | 7.5 | 74 | 92.5 | Smith
Turangarere Schoolhouse | 22 | 52.38 | 20 | 47.62 | Hockly
Upokongaro | 53 | 61.63 | 33 | 38.37 | Hockly
Upper Kawhatau | 27 | 55.1 | 22 | 44.9 | Hockly
Upper Turakina Valley | 17 | 50 | 17 | 50 | Tied
Utiku | 50 | 33.56 | 99 | 66.44 | Smith
Wainui | 16 | 47.06 | 18 | 52.94 | Smith
Wakelin's | 8 | 22.22 | 28 | 77.78 | Smith
Wairepo | 10 | 50 | 10 | 50 | Tied
Whangaehu | 36 | 62.07 | 22 | 37.93 | Hockly
Winiata | 16 | 23.53 | 52 | 76.47 | Smith
Total | 2,011 | 45.49 | 2,410 | 54.51 | Smith

## See also

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* List of New Zealand by-elections
* Rangitikei by-election (disambiguation), other by-elections for the Rangitikei electorate

## Notes

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1. ^ Wilson 1985, p. 229.
2. ^ "Deaths". The Dominion Post. Vol. 2, no. 589\. 18 August 1909. p. 4. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
3. ^ a b "The Rangitikei Seat". Otago Daily Times. No. 14624\. 9 September 1909. p. 7. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
4. ^ "Rangitikei Election". The Press. Vol. 65, no. 13526\. 13 September 1909. p. 8. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
5. ^ a b c "The Rangitikei By-election". The Wanganui Herald. Vol. 44, no. 12876\. 17 September 1909. p. 5. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
6. ^ "Final Returns". Taranaki Herald. Vol. 55, no. 14012\. 17 September 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
7. ^ "The Electoral District of Rangitikei". Wanganui Herald. Vol. XXXIV, no. 12873\. 13 September 1909. p. 1. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
8. ^ a b c "The Rangitikei By-election". The Wanganui Herald. Vol. 44, no. 12882\. 24 September 1909. p. 5. Retrieved 16 May 2016.

## References

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* Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.

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