1868 Westland Boroughs by-election

[2] Harrison was a resident of Greymouth and was the editor of the Grey River Argus.

[3] Shaw was the current Mayor of Hokitika, and proprietor of the West Coast Times.

[4] After a show of hands in favour of Shaw (eight votes to four), Harrison demanded a poll.

[1] William Harrison was subsequently elected two days later.

[5] The polling was notable in that each candidate overwhelmingly dominated in their own borough, with Shaw taking 90% of the vote in Hokitika and Harrison all but one of the Greymouth votes.