1910 Auckland East by-election

Auckland East by-election, 1910

16 June 1910 (1910-06-16)
Turnout	5,443
Candidate Arthur Myers George Davis William Richardson Party Independent Liberal Labour Independent Popular vote 3,180 1,087 754
Member before election Frederick Baume Liberal Elected Member Arthur Myers Independent Liberal

The Auckland East by-election was a by-election in the New Zealand electorate of Auckland East, an urban seat at the top of the North Island.

The by-election was held on 16 June 1910, and was precipitated by the death of sitting Liberal MP Frederick Baume.

Background

The election was won by Baume's cousin and former Mayor of Auckland, Arthur Myers who stood as an independent Liberal.

William Richardson, former secretary to opposition leader William Massey ran as a "protectionist" candidate. He opposed moves the Ward administration was making claiming it was working "hand in glove" with the liquor industry. Two Labour Party candidates ran against each other, with George Davis coming in second place. G McKnight was originally chosen by the Labour Party, but proved unsatisfactory. His endorsement was revoked and the party chose George Davis instead. The prohibition league also endorsed Davis as Myers owned a brewery.

Result

1910 Auckland East by-election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent Liberal	Arthur Myers	3,180	58.42
	Labour	George Davis	1,087	19.97
	Reform	William Richardson	754	13.85	−23.45
	Independent	Reginald Walter Hill	309	5.67
	Labour	George Irving McKnight	75	1.37
Majority			2,093	38.45
Turnout			5,443	65.02	−8.67

References

• Gustafson, Barry (1980). Labour's path to political independence: The Origins and Establishment of the New Zealand Labour Party 1900–1919. Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland University Press. ISBN 0-19-647986-X.