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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3616, 13 February 1883, Page 2

It was more by good luck than management that Mr Ormond was returned to the Harbor Board by the Waipawa Council. To the accident of Mr Johnston 1 s absence at Wellington—a fact that was not known to the councillors till the time of meeting - —Mr Ormond was re-elected. Mr Ross was also absent. The Council was consequently reduced to seven, of whom four voted for Mr Ormond and three were against him. If Mr Johnston had been present ho would have sat as chairman; His ordinary vote would have been given against Mr Ormond, which would have made the ayes and noes equal, and his casting vote would have elected himself and Mr Smith. We warned the people of Napier last week that Mr Ormond's return for Waipawa was so problematical that they could not. afford to let his election rest upon such a slender chance. Contrary to the opinion entertained on the subject by many of his town supporters, Mr Ormond placed himself in the hands of those who " would guarantee " his election at the hands of the Waipawa Council. We have shown above of what value the ' ! μ-uarantee '' woidd have been had Mr Johnston not been called suddenly away to Wellington. A common expression is that of '"the chances of war," but no skillful general ever admitted chance iv his calculations of victory. Neither is it so in politics. If Mr Ormond had not left everything to chance at the last general elections ho would now be a member of the House of Representatives. We understand that it was held by some of Mr Ormond , s friends that, had he been nominated by the ratepayers of Napier to the Harbor Board, the Waipawa Council woidd have elected Mr Smith and Mr Johnston, Avhose votes, neutralising each other at the Board meetings, would have had the effect of leaving the couuty practically unrepresented. From that point of view it was of course desirable that Mr Ormond should have left Ids election in the hands of the Council. But, from our point of view, it was a very risky proceeding, for his return was of far more importance to the object in view than that Waipawa should command two votes at the Board. All's well that ends well, and the district is to be heartily congratulated on the success of a fluke.