The Bay of Islands by-election of 1929 was a
by-election
A by-election, also known as a special election in the United States and the Philippines, a bye-election in Ireland, a bypoll in India, or a Zimni election (Urdu: ضمنی انتخاب, supplementary election) in Pakistan, is an election used to f ...
held on 10 April 1929 during the
22nd New Zealand Parliament
The 22nd New Zealand Parliament was a term of the New Zealand Parliament. Its composition was determined by the 1925 New Zealand general election, 1925 election, and it sat until the 1928 New Zealand general election, 1928 election.
Historical ...
in the
Northland electorate of
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is an area on the east coast of the Far North District of the North Island of New Zealand. It is one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country, and has been renowned internationally for its ...
. The by-election came about because
Harold Rushworth
Harold Montague Rushworth (18 August 1880 – 25 April 1950) was a New Zealand politician of the Country Party.
Early life
Rushworth was born in Croydon, England and was educated at Rugby School and Jesus College, Oxford, graduating with a ...
's win in the general election of the previous year was declared void. The seat was won again by Harold Rushworth of the
Country Party.
General election
Harold Rushworth was originally declared the winner of the general election.
Cause of by-election
Supporters of Allen Bell filed a petition to the electoral court complaining of voting irregularities. Bell, however, claimed that he would take no part in any attempts to upset the election, leaving it up to his supporters. This petition was ultimately successful and it was announced by the court that a by-election should take place for the seat.
Selection process
Both Rushworth and Bell decided to run again for the seat.
The Labour Party refused to put up a candidate, believing that the two candidates who had tied with each other should compete in the by-election.
Result
Rushworth won the by-election.
This by-election clearly created much interest as the turnout was higher here than it was at the general election. Rushworth's improved showing can be put down to the fact that he got most of the votes that were previously cast for Hornblow.
References
Bay of Islands 1929
1929 elections in New Zealand
April 1929 events
Politics of the Northland Region
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