Christchurch South

Christchurch South was a parliamentary electorate in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand from 1881 to 1890 and then from 1905 to 1946.^[1]

History

The electorate was represented by five Members of Parliament.

The 1939 Christchurch South by-election held on 3 June was caused by the death of Ted Howard during the term of the 26th New Zealand Parliament. On nomination day, two candidates were put forward: Robert Macfarlane for the Labour Party and Melville Lyons for the National Party.^[2] Mabel Howard, Ted Howard's daughter, had hoped to be put forward by the Labour Party, and she was endorsed by the local branch of the party.^[3] The national executive of the Labour Party chose Macfarlane, and Howard believed that she was opposed by the party's hierarchy due to her connections to John A. Lee, who was seen as a radical within the party.^[4] The chosen candidate, Macfarlane, had been Mayor of Christchurch since the previous year.^[5] Macfarlane was the successful candidate.

Members of Parliament for Christchurch South

Election results

Key   Independent     New Liberal     Labour  

Election	Winner
1881 election		John Holmes
1884 election
1887 election		Westby Brook Perceval
(Electorate abolished 1890–1905, see City of Christchurch)
1905 election		Harry Ell
1908 election
1911 election
1914 election
1919 election		Ted Howard
1922 election
1925 election
1928 election
1931 election
1935 election
1938 election
1939 by-election		Robert Macfarlane
1943 election

Election results

1939 by-election

Christchurch South by-election, 1939
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Labour	Robert Macfarlane	7,900	66.36
	National	Melville Lyons	4,005	33.64
Majority			3,895	32.72	-10.80
Turnout			11,905	76.36[6]

References

1. ^ J. O. Wilson, New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840–1984, 4th edition, Government Printer, Wellington, New Zealand, 1985.
2. ^ "City By-Election". Evening Post: p. 11. Volume CXXVII, Issue 118, 22 May 1939. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19390522.2.124. Retrieved 14 November 2011. 
3. ^ "Labour Party Nomination". Evening Post: p. 7. Volume CXXVII, Issue 102, 3 May 1939. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19390503.2.30. Retrieved 14 November 2011. 
4. ^ McAloon, Jim. "Howard, Mabel Bowden 1894–1972". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5H38. Retrieved 15 November 2011. 
5. ^ "Chairmen and mayors". Christchurch: Christchurch City Council. http://www.ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/howthecouncilworks/ourhistory/chairmenmayors.aspx. Retrieved 15 November 2011. 
6. ^ "By-Election Result". Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette: p. 5. 7 June 1939. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=ROTWKG19390607.2.22. Retrieved 14 November 2011.