1883 Wellington City mayoral election

1883 Wellington City mayoral election

File:Wellington Coat Of Arms (1878-1951).svg
28 November 1883
Turnout	1,287 (56.59%)
File:George Fisher, between 1884 and 1890.jpg File:William Hutchison, 1882.jpg Candidate George Fisher William Hutchison Party Independent Independent Popular vote 924 363 Percentage 71.79 28.21
Mayor before election George Fisher Elected mayor George Fisher

The 1883 Wellington City mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections held that same year to decide who would take the office of Mayor of Wellington.

Background

Incumbent mayor George Fisher sought re-election for a third term and was successful, seeing off a challenge from former mayor William Hutchison. The election was noted for its account of the intensely personal manner in which the two candidates publicly attacked each other in speeches. Reporters at the time stating "The contest assumed the character of a personal duel, the abuse becoming deplorably bitter towards the last day."

Election results

The following table gives the election results:

1883 Wellington mayoral election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	George Fisher	924	71.79	−8.92
	Independent	William Hutchison	363	28.21
Majority			561	43.58	−17.85
Turnout			1,287	56.59	+16.36

References

• Betts, George (1970). Betts on Wellington: A City and its Politics. Wellington: A. H. & A. W. Reed Ltd. ISBN 0-589-00469-7.