The Election for Clutha.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 81, 27 January 1876, Page 5

The Election for Clutha.

The poll fer the election of a member to represent the district of Clutha in the General Assembly was taken on Thursday last. The candidates were Messrs J. W. Thomson, and W. A. Mosley. Sir Julius Yogel had also been nominated, but his proposer and seconder had given notice of their desire that the electors should not vote for him "seeing tbat he had been successful in securing a seat for Wanganui. The Vogelites thus relieved from their pledges, if ever they made any. transferred their allegiance and exertions to Mr Mosley, believing, we presume, that be would have the least influence in thwarting Vogel's course of action.. Neither Mr Thomsoa nor his friends made the slightest effort to influence the vote of the electors throughout the day. Mr Mosley and his friends canvassed hard from early morn till the close of the poll, and the high-pressmre means employed succeeded in securing a considerable number of votes. It was not intended on Mr Mosley's part to go to the expense of cabs to bring in tlie, voters, but one of Mr Thomson's suppoi ters -considered Mr Moslrfy should pay something for the good pf the township ; he therefore got. tlie woYds "Vote for Thomson " painted on a piece of calico, tacked it on a coach, and drove through the town to the Courthouse and back. He then loosed bis horses, but the ruse had taken, and Mr Mosley immediately had a number of buggies, <&c., hired and driving frantically in all directions, much to tbe amusement, of those tfho were in the secret. At four o'clock a good many electors congrogatod at the Courfchous, and at half -past four Mr J. P. Maitland, Returning Officer, announced, the pollingjat Balclutha as follows :— ■ Thomson,- 57 j Mosley, 50. Mr -Thomson .then ! stepped forward and addressed those present.;- He saitl/that avcircumstances would prevent' him being present at the

official declaration of the poll on Monday, he would take that' opportunity of thanking the. fifty-seven electors who had recorded their votes in his favor. He had been that day told that Mr Mosley would poll the largest number of votes at Balclutha. He was glad that those who had thought so, and who wished it had been so, now found themselves disappointed, an*! he had no doubt that when the whole returns came in it would be found he had been again returned as member for the Clutha by an overwhelming majority. He expressed his extreme regret that Sir Julius Yogel had been withdrawn, or that some other popular candidate had not been brought forward, for he bad the fullest confidence it would have only the more clearly shown that tlie Clutha would at the present time have only Mr Thomson for their representative. During the contest he had carefully abstained from making any remarks of an unfavorable nature regarding his opponents, and if any unpleasantness had arisen, he now desired tbat all parties should let byegones be byegones. He could assure them that if any of his opponents made any recommendations to him wliich he considered to be for the good of the district, he would give it the same attention as if it emanated from any of his supporters. He would only again thank them for having once more returned him to represent them in the General Assembly. The meeting then dispersed, but considerable anxiety was manifested throughout the evening to ascertain the returns from the outlying districts as they were brought ih. A little before five o'clock a telegram was received from Clinton which gave the number, Mosley, 31 • Thomson, 7. This being shewn to Mr Mosley and his friends, produced tremendous excitemont, and Mr Mosley expressed bis perfect certainty that the returns would show he hadbeen successful. " Champagne for all roundswas the immediate effect. The happy delusion was short-lived, for another telegram followed in a few minutes giving the correct returns'! The flow of champagne ceased. The state of the poll was officially declared at the Court-house by Mr Maitland at noon on Monday. These were tbe returns : —

Tbe Returning Officer therefore declared Mr Mr Thomson duly elected. Mr Mosley addressed the half-dozen who were present/ and thanked those who bad voted for him. His principal reason for coming forward was to [cause a contest so as to show whether Mr J. W. ffhomson was or was not, in the mind of the CluUha electors a proper person to represent the district in the General Assembly. He was also determined that it would not have to be said that the Clutba would submit to be dictated to in tbe election of a representative by a number of great men who had recently come from tho North to give them advice upon the subject. The electors bad now decided, and he was perfectly satisfied with thoir decision. He had no doubt the action taken would stir up Mr Thomson to greater activity and energy iv his endeavors to benefit the 'district. It would lead to an amendment of the Clutha River Trust Act, and to a greater attention being given to local matters generally-. Although not returned as their representative in the Assembly, they would find him always ready with his purse and otherwise to assist in forwarding the interests of the Clutha district. Mr Cramond said he had been asked by Mr Thomson, as his proposer, to explain that he was unavoidably prevented from attending at the official declaration of the poll, and he (Mr C.) was commissioned on his behalf, to thank the ' electors of tbe Clutba for having again returned him by a very large majority as their representative. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer brought the proceedings to a. close.

Thomson. Sfosley. Balclutha .... 57 50 Wairuua ... 29 1 Waiwera ... - 18 0 Kaihiku -. 13 0 Warepa ... 31 1 South Clulha .... 30 1 Catlin's ... 24 2 Waitop?ka ... 27 0 Inch Clutha ... 5-23 / 234 78