THE CIVIC ELECTIONS

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1428, 12 September 1878, Page 2

THE CIVIC ELECTIONS

The polling for the civic elections is now taking place, and will not close until six o’clock. There is considerable excitement as to the result, which will not, probably, be known until eight or nine o’clock, when it will be declared by the Returning Officer. Cabs and conveyances are dashing about in all parts ot the town with the avowed object, according to the posters affixed, of bringing up voters to the scratch, the greater portion, by a very long way, being in the pay of Mr W. Wilson, who during the day has had quite a string of vehicles drawn up in front of the Clarendon Hotel.

The only thing in the way of a squib we have seen is a four-wheeled express-waggon, going at a funeral pace along the principal streets, and informing the public that a certain one of the candidates was the first “ Scare” of Christchurch, and likewise enumerating to them his principal and redeeming virtues. This candidate, and the others, were, together with a considerable crowd of people, congregated in front of the Council Chamber during the greater part of the day, and of course using their influence to get voters to go in for “ No. 1.” Press'men have likewise been constant visitors of the scene during the day, and in addition to the “ numbers of the force,” who have been disporting themselves to the admiring gaze of exuberent ratepayers, one stalwart policeman—who is evidently a new chum —has stationed himself at the entrance of the Council Chamber, with the apparent intention of preventing any person whatever from voting, and at the same time instilling into their breasts a due respect for the Law, as centred in his own tall and awe inspiring body. If not Efficient, he has been at all events Officious, Old members of the Council have been reminding the ratepayers of what they have done in the past; while candidates, as yet innocent of the civic aroma, have beeen and still are impressing upon the enlightened burgesses the tremendous services they intend to perform in the future. Amidst it all cabby seems to have a fine time, while Boniface at the Clarendon wishes there was an election every day, and for the nonce, snaps his fingers alike at the Ministry, the beer tax, and the brewers.

Of course it is impossible to tell how the polling is going, but up to half-past two the numbers of those who went into the chamber ostensibly and presumably to vote, was as follows: — From 9to 10 76 „ 10 to 11 120 „ 11 to 12 130 „ 12 to 1 144 „ Ito 2 104 „ 2to 230 36 „ 2.30 to 4 130 Total ... ... ... 740 There is now a calm in the rush of voting, which now even, will probably recommence at five o’clock, when the working men are expected to roll up in great force.