 However he lost the seat in the (by 37 votes), which he later blamed on boundary changes.In 1927 the Representation Commission proposed altering the boundaries of the electorate; which if confirmed would have made the electorate "dry" or no-licence, and without an authority which could issue temporary licences for the Ellerslie and Alexandra Park raceways.Following objections, the boundary between the Parnell and Auckland East electorates was adjusted to include a hotel in the Parnell electorate (so retaining the licensing committee).