1912 Wellington City mayoral election explained

Election Name:1912 Wellington City mayoral election
Country:New Zealand
Flag Image:Wellington Coat Of Arms.svg
Type:Presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1911 Wellington City mayoral election
Previous Year:1911
Next Election:1913 Wellington City mayoral election
Next Year:1913
Election Date:25 April 1912
Turnout:10,333 (34.40%)
Candidate1:David McLaren
Party1:United Labour Party (New Zealand)
Popular Vote1:4,235
Percentage1:40.98
Candidate2:Augustus Biss
Party2:Independent politician
Popular Vote2:2,634
Percentage2:25.49
Candidate4:John Smith
Party4:Wellington Citizens League
Popular Vote4:1,907
Percentage4:18.45
Candidate5:Robert Wright
Party5:Independent politician
Popular Vote5:1,557
Percentage5:15.06
Mayor
Before Election:Thomas Wilford
After Election:David McLaren

The 1912 Wellington City mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections held that same year. In 1911, elections were held for the Mayor of Wellington plus other local government positions. Thomas Wilford, the incumbent Mayor, resigned due to ill health and did not contest the ensuing election. David McLaren was elected to office as the new Mayor of Wellington, beating three other contenders and becoming the city's first Labour Mayor. The polling was conducted using the standard first-past-the-post electoral method.

Background

Thomas Wilford had been Mayor of Wellington since his election in 1910.[1] An ailing Wilford stood for re-election in 1911 and was unopposed for office. However, his illness worsened and he almost died after complications during an operation for appendicitis from which his health was to never truly recover. Wilford was forced to travel to England for medical treatment. For several months councillor John Smith had acted as Mayor on his behalf before Wilford formally resigned. Smith decided to stand for the position proper himself in the ensuing election. After serving for 11 years as a Wellington City Councillor and 12 years as a member of the Hospital Board, David McLaren stood for the mayoralty.

Results

The following table gives the election results:

Outcome

As a result of his victory, McLaren became the first Labour mayor of a major city in New Zealand. Due to McLaren's win at the polls for mayor his seat on the city council was declared vacant. A by-election was held for it a month later where his colleague in the labour movement, Edward Tregear, was successful in winning.

References

Notes and References

  1. News: Mayoral Elections . . 8 . 28 April 1910 . 11 May 2016 . LXXIX . 99 .