1889 Oamaru by-election

1889 Oamaru by-election

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Turnout964
 
Candidate Thomas William Hislop David Dunn
Party Independent Liberal
Popular vote 549 415
Percentage 56.95% 43.05%

MP before election

Thomas William Hislop
Independent

Elected MP

Thomas William Hislop
Independent

The 1889 Oamaru by-election was a by-election held on 30 September 1889 in the Oamaru electorate during the 10th New Zealand Parliament.

Background

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of the incumbent MP Thomas William Hislop. The resignation was caused by the Ward-Hislop affair where Hislop was reproached by a Legislative Council committee for his manner of correspondence with a District Judge Ward. He had also resigned his ministerial portfolios.[1]

Campaign

Hislop stood again to regain his position as an MP. He was opposed by David Dunn.[2] Dunn, the Liberal Party candidate, claimed to be "...one having no political experience at all."[3] This was despite the fact that he had been elected Mayor of Oamaru in 1888.[4]

Hislop's majority was reduced from 136 to 134 after two votes were removed.[5] One person was charged with voting twice (personation).[6]

Results

The following table gives the election result:

1889 Oamaru by-election[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Thomas William Hislop 549 56.95
Liberal David Dunn 415 43.05
Majority 134 13.90
Turnout 964

References

  1. ^ "The Ward-Hislop Affair". Ashburton Guardian. Vol. VII, no. 2217. 4 September 1889. p. 2. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  2. ^ "Oamaru Election". Star. 24 September 1889.
  3. ^ "The Oamaru Nomination". Evening Star. No. 8020. 24 September 1889. p. 2.
  4. ^ "Mayoral Elections". Timaru Herald. Vol. XLVII, no. 4402. 29 November 1888. p. 3.
  5. ^ "Oamaru Election". New Zealand Herald. 4 October 1889.
  6. ^ "Charge of Personation". Auckland Star. 28 October 1889.
  7. ^ "Oamaru Election". South Canterbury Times. 1 October 1889.