1953 Lower Hutt mayoral election|
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| Turnout | 14,251 (52.56%) |
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The 1953 Lower Hutt mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections held that same year. The elections were held for the role of Mayor of Lower Hutt plus other local government positions including fifteen city councillors, also elected triennially. The polling was conducted using the standard first-past-the-post electoral method.
Background
A major talking point in the lead up to the election was the potential of a clash with the 1953 Royal Tour.[1] There were proposals to postpone local elections until early 1954 over fears of reduced turnout due to a conflicted schedule. The proposals were considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs William Bodkin, who ultimately decided against it.[2]
The incumbent Mayor, Percy Dowse, sought re-election for a second term. Dowse was opposed by Citizens' Association candidate and former deputy mayor Eric Rothwell who had been a councillor from 1944 to 1950. The election marked the first under an increased membership of fifteen councillors rather than twelve. The election resulted in another landslide victory for the Labour ticket, winning the mayoralty and every council seat.[3]
Mayoral results
Councillor results
Notes
- ^ "Move to Postpone Next Municipal Elections". The Evening Post. 18 October 1952.
- ^ "Local Elections Date Fixed". The Evening Post. 28 January 1953.
- ^ "Local Body Elections Concluded - Continued Minor Trend to Labour Noted". The Evening Post. 2 November 1953. p. 10.
- ^ "City of Lower Hutt - Election of Mayor". The Evening Post. 16 November 1953. p. 2.
- ^ "City of Lower Hutt - Election of Fifteen Councillors". The Evening Post. 16 November 1953. p. 2.
References
- Millar, David P. (1972). Once Upon a Village: A History of Lower Hutt 1819-1965. Lower Hutt: New Zealand University Press & LHCC. OCLC 154232923.
- McGill, David (1991). Lower Hutt – The First Garden City. Petone, New Zealand: Lower Hutt City Council. ISBN 1-86956-003-5.