1889 Lincoln by-election

1889 Lincoln by-election

←  1887 general 16 January 1889 (1889-01-16) 1890 general  →
Turnout	1008
Candidate Alfred Saunders John Ollivier Party Independent Independent Popular vote 676 332 Percentage 67.06% 32.94%
MP before election Arthur O'Callaghan Independent Elected MP Alfred Saunders Independent

A 1889 by-election in the Lincoln electorate was held to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Arthur O'Callaghan from the Lincoln electorate. The by-election was won by Alfred Saunders, who beat John Ollivier.

Background

Since the Lincoln electorate was established in 1881, it had been held by Arthur O'Callaghan. ^[1] O'Callaghan was taken to the Christchurch Magistrate's Court over unpaid wages towards the end of 1888. ^[2] He became insolvent ^[3] and resigned from Parliament on 9 November 1888. ^[4] John Ollivier, best known for his activities on the Canterbury Provincial Council and last represented in Parliament in 1860, announced his candidacy on the day of O'Callaghan's resignation. ^[5] Other possible candidates whose interest was discussed in the media were Edward George Wright, William Rolleston and Alfred Saunders. ^[3] Wright had contested the 1887 election in the Avon electorate and had been beaten by Edwin Blake. ^[6] Rolleston had contested the Rangitata electorate in 1887 and had been beaten by Searby Buxton, ending 19 uninterrupted years as a Member of the House of Representatives. ^{[6] [7]}

In an editorial, the Wanganui Chronicle argued that Rolleston should be returned for his immense ability. ^[8] The editor of the Ashburton Guardian put forward that if all four candidates should contest the election, then Ollivier would have the best chance of getting elected, as he was the only opposition politician, whereas the other three would split the votes as ministerialists. ^[9] The editor of The Evening Post' lamented that it was likely that Saunders was to be returned: ^[10]

During the last 20 years we have never known any member of the House of Representatives so politically disliked and distrusted on all sides as was Mr. Saunders when he occupied a seat in that Chamber.

With John Woodward, another candidate came forward. At a meeting in Springston on 23 November 1888, the political novice spoke to a large crowd. Never having addressed a large audience before, the nervous speaker had to read much of his message. He finished the meeting by singing a hymn that he had composed himself, 'God Bless New Zealand', to the tune of the national anthem. ^{[11] [12]} Possibly due to the performance of the hymn, papers all over New Zealand reported on the meeting. ^{[13] [14] [15]}

At the nomination meeting on 9 January 1889, Ollivier and Saunders were put forward, with the latter winning the show of hands. Saunders congratulated Ollivier for the humorous and witty campaign and remarked that "he had not heard a more amusing speech at a nomination than that of Mr Ollivier". ^{[16] [17]} The by-election was held on 16 January ^[18] and was won by Saunders with 676 votes to 332. ^[19]

Results

Results of the Lincoln by-election held on 16 January 1889 were:

1889 Lincoln by-election ^[19]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Alfred Saunders	676	67.06
	Independent	John Ollivier	332	32.94
Turnout			1008
Majority			344	34.13

There were 11 polling booths. Ollivier won the booths in Cass, Springfield and Darfield. Saunders won the booths in Lincoln, Springston, Yaldhurst, West Melton, Prebbleton, Sheffield, Halkett, and Kirwee. ^[19]

Saunders represented the electorate until the end of the term in 1890, ^[18] at which time the electorate was abolished. ^[1] He successfully contested the Selwyn electorate in the 1890 election. ^[18]

Notes

1. Wilson 1985, p. 266.
2. "MHR Sued For Debt". Wanganui Chronicle. Vol. XXXI, no. 11353. 8 November 1888. p. 2. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
3. "By the Way". Mataura Ensign. Vol. 11, no. 825. 16 November 1888. p. 6. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
4. Wilson 1985, p. 224.
5. "Resignation of an M.H.R." Evening Post. Vol. XXXVI, no. 113. 10 November 1888. p. 2. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
6. "The General Election, 1887". National Library. 1887. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
7. Wilson 1985, p. 231.
8. "Editorial". Wanganui Chronicle. Vol. XXXI, no. 11355. 22 November 1888. p. 2. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
9. "Editorial". Ashburton Guardian . Vol. VII, no. 1997. 15 November 1888. p. 2. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
10. "Evening Post". Evening Post . Vol. XXXVI, no. 139. 11 December 1888. p. 2. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
11. "The Lincoln Seat". The Press . Vol. XLV, no. 7212. 24 November 1888. p. 6. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
12. "Lincoln Electorate". Star. No. 6404. 24 November 1888. p. 4. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
13. "Farcial Election Meeting". Auckland Star. Vol. XIX, no. 278. 24 November 1888. p. 5. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
14. "A Jovial Parliamentary Candidate". Evening Post . Vol. XXXVI, no. 125. 24 November 1888. p. 2. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
15. "The Lincoln Seat". The Marlborough Express. Vol. XXIV, no. 262. 24 November 1888. p. 2. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
16. "Lincoln Election". Star. No. 6441. 10 January 1889. p. 4. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
17. "The Lincoln Seat". The Press . Vol. XLVI, no. 7251. 10 January 1889. p. 6. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
18. Wilson 1985, p. 233.
19. "Lincoln Election". The Press . Vol. XLVI, no. 7258. 18 January 1889. p. 5. Retrieved 28 April 2012.

References

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