THE ELECTIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1311, 23 July 1884, Page 2

THE ELECTIONS.

ASHBURTON. There was great excitement jn Ashburton yesterday over the elections, and the committees of the two candidates between whom the contest virtually lay worked hard. From the time that the polling booth opened till ,6 o’clock the streets were crowded, apd voters were continually pouring into the Courthouse up to 4.30 o’clock. It was considered that the fight would be a close one, but we think that Mr Wason’s supporters bad made up their mifids early in the day that Mr Walker would pojl a considerable majority in the borough. Our office was besieged by a large crowd in the evening, ; and the extras which were published whenever a fresh return came in kept the electors well posted up as to how things were going. AtMethveo it was know n

that Mr Wason would poll a majority, and the return from there gave that gentleman 79 more votes than his opponent, thus reducing Mr Walker’s advantage to 25 votes. At Alford Forest, too, Mr Wason scored 46 to Mr Walker’s 9, but at all the other polling booths the latter came off beat. The result, so far as it is ascertainable, gives Mr Walker a majority of 17. When the issue of the contest became known, the partisans of the two aides gave expression to their feelings in a somewhat vigorous manner, but we hear of nothing more serious having resulted than a decided hoarseness in the voices of those who used their lungs most lustily. The larrikin element was not absent in the streets, their mode of expressing their feelings taking the form of an indiscriminate pelting of pedestrians with flour. There could be no doubt that the return of Mr Walker was popular in the township itself, and the successful candidate was heartily congratulated on all sides. The following are the details of tha aloof ion ;

mere wcie 29 imormai votes ana six instances of double voting. The total number polled was 940, there being 1,718 names on the roll. DECLARATION OF THE POLL FOR WdKANDI. The official declaration of the polling for the Wakanui constituency took place at the County Saleyards at noon to-day, when there was a very large attendance of electors and others. At.the hour appointed, Mr Geo. Jameson, the Returning Officer, read the following returns of the voting at the different booths, and declared Mr John Gngg duly elected as member for Wakanui in the FfmiHß of Rnnranentatives :

The total number polled was 877, the number on the roll being 1,759. Mr John Grigg was received with loud applause, and thanked the electors for the proud position in which they had placed him. He had never meant to be beaten, and he had been perfectly confident that his friends were doing their utmost to secure his return. He had much pleasure in being able to state that he had not asked a single man for his support, or enquired from any elector in which direction he proposed to vote. If his opponent had adopted the same course, he was quite sure that his majority would have reached 150. (“No, no,” and applause.) Well, he might say that a number of gentlemen who had pledged their votes to his opponent Lad honorably discharged that pledge, but had been amongst his most active friends in bringing his supporters to the poll. The victory he regarded as one of principle, not a personal matter at all. The contest had been fairly fought out, and he sincerely hoped that it had engendered no bitter feeling. He need hardly assure them that he would do his utmost to merit the confidence they had placed in him, and that he would use his position for the benefit of every elector in the constituency. (Loud applause.) Mr Ivess was also received with applause, and an enquiry from one of the audience, “ How about the first shall be last and the last shall be first ?” He said that he did not agree with Mr Grigg that the victory was -one of principles: be thought it was one of men. Since his return as their member he had consistently given his support to every measure having for its object the extension of Liberalism and the benefit of the masaeq* He could confidently assert that ms record would compare very favorably with that of those gentlemen who had largely assisted to bring about his defeat. His one obiect had been to advance the interests of the electorate, and he was now rewarded by the present defeat. But they might bo quite sure that the result of the contest would not close his political career. He was only temporarily shut out of Parliament, and no very great length of time would elapse before he would again be found within its walls, either the representative of that or some other constituency. He was pleased to think that the election had been honorably fought out, so far as leaving no ill-feeling behiqd it. If any ill-feeling had been created he hoped that it would now be set aside, and that they would heartily co-operate in advancing the interests of the district with which they had associated themselves. He had very much pleasure in testifying to the gentlemanly and impartial manner in which Mr Jameson, the Returning Officer, had condupted the election. He (Mr Ivess) regretted that his past efforts in their interests had not been appreciated by the electors. He could only say that ho had disinterestedly worked in their service, while he might have made use of his position to serve hig own in* terests. He had been opposed by a wealthy clique, who had spared no efforts to bring about his defeat. No man in Ashburton had had more difficulties than himself to contend against. If any pledged supporters of his had voted as represented by Mr Grigg, he (Mr Ivess) was better pleased to be without their votes. [Mr Grigg said that he had not spoken as represented by Mr Ivess, and repeated his,remarks on the subject.) Ha thank d the four hundred odd electors who had supported him and the gentlemen of his Committee for their generous and disinterested efforts on his behalf. No matter how long he might live, he would recollect with pleasure hia connection with the constituency. He hoped that hia successor would have the same record at ■

;he end of his term of office* Popular feel

ing was very fickle, and they had seen man like Mr Ballance and Sir William Fox, who had faithfully discharged their public duties, excluded from the House, and their constituencies gladly taking them back at the suocee - ing election. He (Mr Ivess) thought that when the electors had had a little time to reflect they would not regard him as harshly as they had done at the pollihs booth. He would still bo prepared and pleased to serve the electors whenever opportunities offered. His defeat had been brought about by his friends being over-sanguine ; but for that mistake he would have been returned by a majority of from one to two hundred. Scores of his friends had thought the result go secure that they had not troubled to leave their flelds Jo raoorfl their votes. He was, however, beaten by a substantial majority, but ho would live in hope of one day again representing Wakanui or some other constituency, and of being of service to that district, and the colony at large. He concluded by proposing a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, which was seconded by Mr Grigg, and carried by acclamation. Mr Purnell, at this stage, suggested that Mr St Hill, the chairman of

Ivess’ committee, should now bo called upon to “ eat his old mare,” a feat he had undertaken to perform in the event of his candidate being defeated; Mr St Hill showing no disposition to resort to hippophagy, Mr James Brown mounted i the stage, and called for three cheers for ' Sir 6. Grey and Mr Rolleston, as a protest against the epithets applied to these statesmen by Mr Grigg. The invitation ' was responded to by groans and hisses. The crowd then dispersed, the proceed- > ings having been of a very orderly and [ good humored character. ! AUCKLAND. Auckland North—Thomas Thompson, ! 746 ; W. Newman, 196 Auckland West —Dargaville, 446; Swahi son, 394 ; Thames—Fraser, 475 ; Speight, 468 l Newton—Peacock, 932 ; De Lautonr, I 607 ; Garrard, 2 Bay of Islands—Hobbs, 355; Gannon, 199 ; McKenzie, 80. Coromandel Oadman, 461; Brodie, ' 347. Results to come from Cabbage Bay, Tararu and Tapu. Oado-an’a return assured. Onehunga—Sir G. M. O’Rorke, 540 ; Lawry, 406 ! East Coast—Locke, 603 ; Rees, 443. ! Six small returns to come. Tauraaga—Morris, 624; Kelly, 426; „ Waipa—Lake, 509; Jackson, 481 \ Franklin North—Buckiand, 572; arris, 3 471. i Parnell—Moss, 622; George, 414; Fitz- " gerald, 0 !; Eden—Tole, 628 ; O’Neill, 212 n Rodney—Moac, 387 ; N. Wilson, 193. Thirteen returns yet to come. Waitemata—Hnrst- 620; Farnall, 157. I Nine returns to come. HAWK VS BAY. g Hawke’s Bay—Russell, 605 ; Sutton, e 357; Desmond, 157. Four returns yet -, to come, but they cannot affect the result. I Napier—Ormond, 697 ; Sheehan, 495 Waipawa—Smith, 768 ; Tanner, 479 1- TARANAKI. 1 New Plymouth—Samuel, 243 ; Smith y 172 ; Kelly, 138 ; Brown, 82. e lacanaki—L’rimble, 371 ; Bayley, 276 Colesby, 8 - Bgmont Atkinson, 874; Fantbam, 403 WELLINGTON. Wellington South Fisher, 717 ; Hutchison, 477 Te Aro —0. J. Johnston, 343 ; F, H. Fraser, 332 ; B. Shaw, 129 ; Ji H. Shaw, 71; J. O’Shea, 34 Wanganui—J. Ballance, 641; Hutchison, 204; W. Watt, 154 Foxton —Wilson, 624; Izard, 592; Browne, 240 ” Wairarapa North Beetham, 482; M'Cardle, 441. Six small returns to “ come Wairarapa South Buchanan, 665; d Bunny, 504 e Rangitikei—Bruce, 596 ; Stevens, 493 d Hutt—Fitzhefbert, 660; Mason, 379 i, Waitotara—Bryce, 440 ; Maodonnell, it 294 , 0 Manawatu—M‘Arthur, 1058 ; Frazer, ■e 437 ; Burr, 8. Three small returns yet >t to come 3- NELSON, it Nelson—Levestam, 579 ; Piper, 207 e Waimea—Shephard, 358; Wastney, 210 d Inangahua—Beeves, 679 ; Monteith, 1, 675. One return to come, n Motueka —Hursthouse, 367 ; Kerr, 356. 3- One return to come in. it Bailer—O’Connor, 684; Munro, 634. it One return to come in •s is MARLBOROUGH, it Picton—E. T. Oonolly, 339 ; Eyes, 240. it One return to come d Wairau—Dodson, 586; Ward, 362. d Three returns to come ; cannot affect the is result is WESTLAND, ir Greymouth—Guinness, 686 ; Petrie, 612. - Three roturiM U - i- Kumaca—Seddon, 669 ; Blake, 494. e Only one return to coma in e Hokitika—Fitzgerald, 683; Bevan, 661; d Clarke, 45. More returns to come ,t OTAGO, a Dunedin East—Stout, 755; Green, s 515 i- Dunedin West—Stewart, 603 ; Dick, e 481 if Dunedin South—Gore, 451 ; Fish, 435 e Dunedin Central Bradshaw, 499 ; ■t Bracken, 496 ; Grant, 1 y Waitaki—Duncan, 363 ; Sutherland, 3 198 ; Ferens, 31. Three returns still to t come 3 Oamaru—Shrimski, 483 ; Lord Reid-- , haven, 391 t Moetaki M’Kenzie, 389 ; Haynes, e 273 t Waikouaiti—Buckiand, 283 ; Green, y 222 ; Arkle, 213. A number of returns 1 yet to come 9 Roslyn—Ross, 483 ; Bathgate, 406 i Peninsula—Larnach, 658 ; Hodge, 352; f Wells, 14 s Taieri—Pulton, 353 ; Cairnoross, 277 ; 1 W a then, 43 a Tuapeka—J. C. Brown, 56§ ; Oudaille, j 322 t Bruce Gillies, 578 ; Driver, 368 ; j McDonald, 234 t Mount Ida—M’Kanzie, 363 ; Ewing, i 268. Four returns to come. I Wakatipu Fergus, 673 ; Hornsby, s 238; Brown, 133. ’ i Hokonui—Cowan, 234; Canning, 182 ; , Hobbs, 28; Lumsden, 2 f Awarua--Joyce, 398;'M‘DonaId, 311; i Kinross, 74 ; Mitchell,' 67 ; Hodgklnaon, I 64. Four returns to come, t Mataura—Richardson,'49B; Mackenzie, : 329 # f Wallace —Hirst, 430; Hodgkinson, 305; , Daniel, 267; Hayes, 31. r Invercargill—Hatch, 502 ; Feldwick, , 435; Lumsden, 163 | MAORI ELECTORATES. Northern Maori—lhake Hakuone, 363; Qerini Tawhanga, 316 ; Kamsia. Wharei rau, 75; Raipangandi, 10. Four returns yet to come. Eastern Maori—Poll at present: Rangipuaohe,4B2; Honare Tomoana,479; James Car-oil, 461; Wipore, 432; Tapihana, 330. Taiwhanga, 163. Nine returns yet to come. Soouthern Maori Taiaroa, 231; Kahu, 134 CANTERBURY Christchurch North —Sir Julius-Vogel, 930 ; J. Crewes, 223 • Christchurch South—J. Holmes, 638 ; T. I. Joynt, 600 1 Sydenham—White, 776 ; J. L, Scott, 1 462 St Albans—F. J. Garrick, 896; J. 1 Jebson, 79 ; T. Cooper, 2 ; Avon—L. Harper, 403; W. Dunlop, < 320 ' Heathcote—J. L. Coster, 446; H. 1 Wynn-Williams, 245 ; J. T. Fisher, 15 t Stano; o ?® —D. Reese, 524 ; J. G. Rud- 1 dehklau, 435 ; G. Dorney, 142 ; W. H. « Pilliet, 47 ; O. Wansey, 19 ‘ 8 Lyttelton—H. Allwright, 328; S. R. E Webb, 288; B. M/Clissold, 71 » Lincoln —A. P. O’Oallaghan, 266 ; A. c Saunders, 263 0 Ashley—W. F, Pearson, 413; P. Dun- C caa, 85. P Cheviot —J. D. Lance, 345; W. Gib- ii son, 312; G. M. Adams, 152, Four d returns to come. g ~ " f (sr I’exiKgkaehl CHEisxpituEok, To-day. s The declaration of the poll for Christ- , ft church No. th, Christchurch South, Heath- j t cote, St Albans, and Sydenham’, took, e: plgce at noon and parsed off very quietly! w Wakoandj, To-day. sc When the poll was declared last night tl the hustings broke down. Ms BalUace w<

was just about to speak when all,on the hustings were precipitated ten feet. No one was hurt except a boy who got his arm hurt. There was great excitement over the result, but no ill feeling was shown.

— V 3 o t, 0 O a © s a 0 a C V *5 o5 a> u 3 0) 'O *c3 o U 2 ’-3 2 5 s £ W. C. Walker ... 296 9 32 13 59 36 4 449 J. C. Wason 192 46 2« 10 137 lb 3 43-: S. C. Jolly 17 3 1 2 23 I. R. C. C. Graham I

Mouse or ttepreseiuativ es -— bb 6 J. Ivess. Maguire. Informal Ashburton 194 160 I 8 Tinwald 60 39 ... 3 Rakaia 69 80 I 4 Hinds ... '■ ... ... 13 25 Wakanui ... ._ 25 37 2 Penda'rves 13 29 2 Waterton 52 24 ... Willowby ... 28 6 2 Total ... ... 454 400 2 21