Newtown was a parliamentaryelectorate inWellington, New Zealand, from 1902 to 1908.[1]
The Representation Act 1900 had increased the membership of theHouse of Representatives from general electorates 70 to 76, and this was implemented through the 1902 electoral redistribution. In 1902, changes to thecountry quota affected the three-member electorates in the four main centres. The tolerance between electorates was increased to ±1,250 so that theRepresentation Commissions (since 1896, there had been separate commissions for theNorth andSouth Islands) could take greater account of communities of interest. These changes proved very disruptive to existing boundaries, and six electorates were established for the first time, including Newtown, and two electorates that previously existed were re-established.[2]
The electorate was based on the inner city suburb ofNewtown.
The electorate was represented by oneMember of Parliament,William Henry Peter Barber.[3]
The1902 election was contested by Barber,Thomas William Hislop,Charles Luke,William Chapple and William George Tustin.[4][5] They received 1385, 1357, 1100, 1017, and 159 votes, respectively.[4]John Crewes had initially also contested the election, but he withdrew his nomination before polling day.[6]
The1905 election was contested by Barber, Thomas William Hislop, William Chapple andAlfred Hindmarsh. They received 3231, 2018, 1795, and 383 votes, respectively.[7]
Newtown was represented by one Member of Parliament, William Barber.
Key
| Election | Winner | |
|---|---|---|
| 1902 election | William Barber | |
| 1905 election | ||
| (Electorate abolished in 1908; seeWellington South) | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | William Barber | 3,231 | 42.87 | +15.27 | |
| Conservative | Thomas William Hislop | 2,018 | 26.78 | −0.26 | |
| Independent Liberal | William Chapple | 1,795 | 23.82 | +3.56 | |
| Ind. Labour League | Alfred Hindmarsh | 383 | 5.08 | ||
| Majority | 1,213 | 16.09 | +15.54 | ||
| Informal votes | 108 | 1.43 | |||
| Turnout | 7,535 | 84.13 | |||
| Registered electors | 8,956 | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | William Barber | 1,385 | 27.60 | ||
| Conservative | Thomas William Hislop | 1,357 | 27.04 | ||
| Liberal | Charles Luke | 1,100 | 21.92 | ||
| Independent Liberal | William Chapple | 1,017 | 20.26 | ||
| Conservative | William George Tustin | 159 | 3.16 | ||
| Majority | 28 | 0.55 | |||
| Turnout | 5,018 | 75.28 | |||
| Registered electors | 6,665 | ||||