GENERAL ELECTION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2399, 10 December 1881, Page 3

GENERAL ELECTION.

As far as the city of Christchurch is concerned the verdict with regard to the new Regulation of Elections Act must be given as very favorable, whatever may be said as to the operation of the sister measure, entitled the Corrupt Practices Prevention Act. The elections which took place yesterday in and around the city were marked by an utter absence of many of those objectionable features which characterised similar contests under the previous law. It was not unnaturally expected that so much political excitement being concentrated into one day, it would be displayed in a manner not altogether conducive to that order and quietness which should distinguish so important an occasion as a general election ; and this would probably have been the case but for the stringent provisions of the Corrupt Practices Act, which prevented, to any noticeable extent, the hiring of cabs, the use of placards, and the practice of “ treating,” all of which have hitherto formed important elements at election contests. The only placards visible were a few displayed in the interests of Mr Wynn Williams, a candidate for Heathcote, and Mr Thomson, a candidate for Christchurch North, but it must be presumed that both these gentlemen took care to keep themselves outside the Act. Very few hired cabs wore used compared with the practice on previous occasions, but any deficiency in this respect was amply supplied by private vehicles furnished by the friends of the respective candidates ; and as far, at any rate, as one or two of the town electorates were concerned, it may be questioned whether the facilities for the conveyance of voters to the poll were not as great as would have been the case had the hiring of vehicles been allowed. With regard to the other ‘‘corrupt practice” referred to—that of treating—perhaps the most remarkable, at any rate the moat gratifying, feature of the day’s proceedings was the absence of anything like drunkenness or rowdyism. On the whole we may say that if the experience of the other large towns in the colony has been anything like that of Christchurch, the recent alteration in the law regulating the conduct of elections has been productive of most beneficial results. Tnis remark applies more particularly to the actual progress of the election contests. Of coarse there may be one or two respects in which the new law has not altogether given satisfaction. We heard complaints, for instance, from some quarters about the polling booths not being properly located, and mistake: having been made in the registration of electors. The greatest excitement prevailed in the Christchurch South electorate, and the Oddfellows’ Hall was throughout the day the scene of considerable animation. The contest in the adjoining constituency of Christchurch North, although conducted more) quietly, was not less keen, and the proportion of the number polled to the total number of electors on the roll was nearly as great. In reference to the use of cabs a rumour was current yesterday that, following the example set in some of the northern constituencies, one of the candidates for a city electorate literally “drove a coach and four” through the provision in the Act relating to the hiring of cabs by becoming the actual purchaser of a number of vehicles, intending to retire from that line of business as soon as possible after the elections. The results at the different polling booths were made known within a reasonable time after six o’clock. But although the Act does not provide for snch a thing, the different returning officers, and particularly those in the large town electorates, would not have taken upon themselves too much responsibility, if they had in an unofficial way made some announcement of the rough states of the poll, instead of allowing the information to leak out through one or two semi-private channels to the inconvenience of the public, who, in some instances, congregated outside the polling booths to the number of some hundreds. A great deal of anxiety was evinced in Christchurch to hear the result of the elections in the Canterbury country districts and in other parts of the colony, and a considerable number of persona waited outside the Press office until a late hour to receive the different telegraphic and other reports as they arrived. It will be seen by reference to the appended returns that so far as Christchurch is concerned the number of votes recorded, even in the electorates where the contests were most keen, did not bear such a large proportion to the total number of electors on the roll as might have been expected, considering the amount of political excitement that has been worked up in the city within the last few weeks.

DECLARATION OF THE POLL. CHRISTCHURCH NORTH. The official declaration of the result of the polling for this electorate was made at noon to-day in the presence of about 100 electors. At the hour named Mr G. L , Lee, the Returning Officer, ascended the hustings and announced that the result of the voting was as follows : Henry Thomson ... 577 Samuel P. Andrews 4CS Majority for Thomson, 111. He, therefore, declared Henry Thomson duly elected to serve as member of the House for the electoral district of Christchurch North. [Cheers.] Mr Thomson, who on coming forward was received with loud cheers, addressed the electors to the following effect: —The declaration which had just been made had placed him in the proud position of their representative in the next Parliament. He was deeply sensible of the honor they had conferred upon him by this very great mark of their confidence, and he trusted that his actions would prove that that confidence had not been misplaced. [Hear, hear.] To those who had taken any interest in public affairs during the last two or three years, the result of the general elections thus far must be exceedingly interesting and instructive. Without going into details, he would like just to point out that two of the members of the late Government had been defeated, while a very active, and he must say able, member of the last House, who endeavoured to turn the present Government out during the recent session had been placed in a hopeless minority. He alluded to Mr Ormond. [A voice—“ And a very good job too.”] He therefore thought there could be no doubt that the great bulk of the people were gradually returning to a more oorreet appreciation of those who were their true friends. [Cheers and cries of “ Question.”] The contest which had been going on for the last two months was now over, and he was very proud to say that it had been conducted on the part of his opponent with the greatest friendliness and gentlemanly conduct. [Hear, hear.] And be took that opportunity of publicly acknowledging Mr Andrews’ consideration and courtesy. He hoped that any feelings of irritation or bitterness which might have been excited during the contest would be speedily allayed, and that those who had felt it their duty to vote against him, equally with those who voted for him, would consider him as their representative. [Cheers.] He was aware that he owed a very great deal of his success to the kindness of his friends in rallying round him on the day of the election and previously, and that his own merits had played but a secondary part in bringing about a result for which he had every reason to be grateful. Ho therefore had to thank all those who so kindly came forward to assist in securing his return. If his ability were only equal to his desire to serve them, he felt perfectly satisfied thot when he next appeared before them he would be able to give a good account of his actions. [Cheers.] He thanked them cordially for the great honor they had conferred upon him by electing him as their representative. [Cheers.] Mr Andrews then came forward and was received with cheers. Although defeated he could not say that he was at all dissatisfied with the result of the expression given through the poll. Ha would tell them why. He thought no man had a right to sit in Parliament as a representative of the people unless be could fairly represent them. It was very evident by the votes given yesterday that they thought Mr Thomson better fitted to represent them than he was. He had given a very full and free declaration of his principles, and had fearlessly expressed himself on all occa. sions, whether what ho said was pleasant to them or otherwise. There were many instances

in which, as they would all admit, it wa* very difficult to come to a conclusion, but he had never shirked any question yet. He had always voted in the way he thought best, regardless of consequences to himself, and being only actuated by a desire to do right. • That was the stand he had taken, and upon . which he intended to remain. And now he would tell them plainly that, the election over, he intended to pursue his business in Christchurch, and he hoped to lead such a life while remaining amongst them as would still command for him the respect and esteem of those who lived around him. [Cheers.] Should they, at the end of three years, see fit to present him with a requisition to stand for a seat in the next Parliament he might consider the question, and if he felt that he could represent them, and had the confidence of a majority of the electors, ho would again offer his services for their acceptance. That was the position he took up. He had not used one angry word towards his opponent during the contest. When he first entertained the idea of going into Parliament he never contemplated doing so by treading or crushing down any man, or making a standpoint of any personal matters. He had wished to go in to represent the people, and to advocate measures calculated to promote the best interests of the colony, and in that way he had always voted. Ho did not for a moment presume to say that he had not made many mistakes. Every young member going into Parliament must make mistakes, but those mistakes were errors more of judgment than of heart. [Cheers.] No one who knew anything of his character would accuse him of making misstaoments, or of leaving undone things which ought to have been done from a desire to shirk, blind, or bury matters. He had nothing to disguise. Matters were now entirely fair and square before them. Mr Thomson was their representative, and was also his representative, and ho would look upon him as such; and while Mr Thomson was in Parliament, if he could in any way offer suggestions to him which, in his opinion would be calculated to do any good to Christchurch or to the colony, he would have much pleasure in giving Mr Thomson the benefit of those suggestions. [Hear, hear.] He was quite sure Mr Thomson would be ready to receive advice and assistance from him if he was prepared to give it. He desired to thank those persons who had worked so hard on his behalf both on the election day and during the whole of the canvassing campaign. He could not know the ins and outs of everything, but he did not think many ill words had been spoken by anybody acting on his behalf, They would consider that the day’s proceedings were now at an end, and ho would quietly resume his business in the town, and < look upon Mr Thomson as reprsenting Christchurch North. He begged to propose a vote of thanks to tho Returning Officer. J Mr Thomson seconded the vote of thanks, | which was carried with cheers. '

Mr Lee, in returning thanks, desired to say one or two words on a matter that affected himself personally. A remark was made the other day, and reported in the newspapers, which he was very sorry to see, and he was quite sure that tho gentleman who made the remark did so without due consideration. The statement was to the effect that his (Mr Lee’s) action had caused at least from 500 to 600 names to be kept off the roll of Christchurch North. Now most of them had known him for some years j ho was a very old resident ; and ho thought no one could accuse him of being likely to commit any such act as that. In the onerous and difficult duties he had had to perform, his object had been to put every one he possibly could on the roll, and he had worked hard with that determination. [Cheers.] There had, unfortunately, been mistakes, but they were owing to the difficulty of tho task he had to perform. They were capable of being remedied now, though he was afraid there had, unfortunately, been some few people disqualified. This was of course owing, ho could not say to his action, but to accidents which happened in his office—accidents, certainly, and nothing more. He was sure that Mr Andrews, in making the statement ho had referred to, did not mean to cast any reflection upon him, but was misinformed on the subject. Ho only regretted that Mr Andrews did not speak to him about the matter before making the statement. Had he done so, he was sure he would have been able to have given a satisfactory explanation. Three cheers were then given for Mr Lee, and the proceedings terminated. ST. ALBANS. The official declaration of the poll for this district was made shortly after noon this day, at tho Avon Road Board office, Papanui road. About twenty persons were present. The Returning Officer stated the number of votes recorded to be as under : Brown 218 Wilson 168 O’Neill 85 He, therefore, declared Mr John Evans Brown duly elected for the electoral district St. Albans, fCheers.]

Mr Brown thanked the electors for the honor they had conferred upon him, and said he would serve them to the beat of bis ability, and hoped that now tho election was over, that all ill-feeling and envy would be put aside, and also hoped that those persona who did not vote for him would not hesitate to come forward and make their wants known to him on all occasions. He also referred to a report that had been circulated about his going to an employer in this town and requesting him to “ sack ” one of his men because he had advised a friend to vote for Mr Wilson. This report was quite unfounded ; in fact, he did not hear of it until this morning, and he was hurt to think than anyone should have such an ill opinion of him. He was certain this falsehood had cost him twenty-five votes. He concluded his remarks by again thanking the electors for placing him at the top of the poll. [Cheers.] Mr O’Neill said he was not one to cry over spilt milk, and desired to thank those who had voted for him, and, although beaten this time, he hoped at some future time to come forward again. He wished all present a merry Christmas and a happy new year. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer was moved by Mr Brown and seconded by Mr O’Neill, and duly acknowledged. Reference to our advertising columns will show tho reason assigned by Mr J. L. Wilson for bis enforced absence at the declaration of the poll. HBATHCOTB. Owing to the Returning Officer not having complied with the requirements of tho Act, by giving the requisite forty-eight hours’ notice of the declaration of the poll, the official notification is deferred till Wednesday next at twelve o’clock, but at noon this day, in the presence of about thirty persons at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Woolston, that gentleman contented himself by stating tho number of votes polled for each candidate, which were as follows:

W. H. Wynn Williams 243 Alfred Hornbrook ... 167 James Temple Fisher ... ... 119 The official declaration of the poll, which will be merely a formality, will take place on Wednesday at noon. Mr Wynn Williams, who on rising was loudly cheered, thought it would be as well, seeing they were now assembled, and as they had been told the announcement on Wednesday next would be a pure formality, he would avail himself of the opportunity to return his thanks to the electors for the very great honor they had done him in returning him to the General Assembly, and not only might he congratulate himself that such was the case, but also the constituency, on the proud position they had placed him in, as it proved that the electors thought he was the best man of the three. [Hoar, hear.] He should never forget the honor thus conferred upon him, as he had been told repeatedly since he had announced himself that it was impossible he could be ever returned as the two other candidates had been in the field several weeks, but he was led to believe by those who requested him to come forward that he would bo returned as the sequel had shown, ho did not come forward before them as a stranger, in fact, he was well known to (hen-, that for that reason the greater honor had been conferred upon him. The objection made at the meetings where they had indulged in a little pleasantry, that he was a lawyer did not carry much weight with it, as two out of three lawyers had been returned yesterday, it showed that the public wore not afraid of lawyers. [Hear, hear,] He hardly recollected a parallel case to this, and he should never forget it. If he did, let them remind him at the next election. All that he had promised to do, he would do ; and it they would only make any wants of the district known to him, he would attend to them; but if they did not let him know, the fault would be theirs, not his. He again desired to thank them most heartily for his election. [Oheers.J

Major Hornbrook said the least said was soonest mended, and he was afraid if he spoke at any length he might say something he wouldn’t like to say. He heartily thanked the 167 men who had kept true to their pledges, and voted for him j but, for he men who had told lies, who had promised to vote for him, and voted for tho successful candidate, he wouldn’t say what he thought of them. He would nof take the words of such men again, not even it on their oath; and there (pointing to Mr Wynn Williams) sat their member—a man who did not represent Heathooto, but who represented Christchurch. [Cries of "Oh 1 oh! No! no!” confusion, and ” Q-ive it him hot, Major.”] They might cry “ Oh! oh!” and "No! no!” but he said "Yes.” [Uproar ] Ho noticed the liars as they came sneaking in to vote yesterday. He again thanked the honorable men who had voted for him, but as for the others—(Here the Major resumed his seat). A Voice—Where’s Fisher ?

Tho Returning Officer stated that ho had seen nothing of Mr Fisher, and supposed he was at homo.

Mr Vincent then rose and proceeded to make some remarks derogatory of Mr Fisher, to which tho meeting refused to listen in the absence of that gentleman.

Mr Wynn Williams proposed, and Major Hornbrook seconded—“ A vote of thanks to tho Returning Officer,” which, having been duly acknowledged, the meeting dispersed.

CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH. In this district, at the polling place—the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street—tho business proper of tho day commenced at a very early hour, the first vote being given immediately on tho opening of tho doors at ten o’clock. Throughout the day voting went steadily on, without any rush, however, although about noon tho Returning Officer had a busy time of it. Iho crowd which, as usual, gathered outside the doors was not at all excited by tho occasion, and indulged in nothing beyond, occasionally, a little good humored chaff about tho personal peculiarities of some of the voters. A very large number of vehicles, considering their supposed prohibition, were employed in bringing up tho friends of the candidates. Amongst those, an immense drag drawn by fc*r horses and tooled by Mr Leach, was conspicuous. There were also many private turn-outs, ranging in character from tho snug brougham to the costermonger’s cart, which, together with some few licensed hackney carriages, seemed to be well patronised. Shortly after 7 p.m., tho result of tho day’s polling was obtained from the Returning Officer, and on this being made known tho crowd speedily melted away. After this tho only amusing incident of the day occurred. The successful candidate’s friends organised a little convivial meeting at Coker’s Hotel, when one overjoyed individual swarmed np the flagpole which surmounts that establishment, and after announcing the triamph of bis party was rescued from his perilous position by the united efforts of his fellow enthusiasts. The numbers were : Mr John Holmes C 73 Mr John Anderson 560 Majority for Holmes ... 113 762 electors did not record their votes. STANMOEE. Out of 1701 voters on the roll of this new electorate, 1048 recorded their votes yesterday. The result was aa follows : Bings- Phillips- Knights- Tl. land. town. town. Pilliett ... 74 213 96 383 Cowlishaw.. 56 250 56 362 Flesher ... 109 143 51 303 Majority for Pilliett... ... ... 21 SYDENHAM. Tho palling for Sydenham resulted in the return of Mr W. White, jnn., by a majority of 499 over tho next highest candidate. The following is the unofficial record of the numbers • Sydenham. Addington, Tl. White 461 198 662 Clark 141 19 163 Treadwell ... 90 21 111 Andrew ... 63 7 70 Mojority for White 499 LYTIELTON. Allwright 259 Richardson 248 Webb 246 Majority for Allwright ... 11 KAIAPOI. Kaiapoi. Woodend. Eangiora. Tl. Wilson ... 205 57 168 510 Lee ... 82 46 213 341 Majority for Wilson 179 After the result was known Mr Wilson was carried by the electors to his carriage, and tho horse being taken out he was drawn home amid a perfect shower of flour. Tho declaration will be made on Monday. LINCOLN. Springs- Preb- Sprey- Lin- Tl. ton. bleton. don, coin. O’Callaghan 55 81 66 75 277 Peryman ... 24 44 49 37 154 Majority for Callaghan ... ... 123 SELWYN. Dunsan- South- Lees- Brook- Tl del. bridge, ton. side. Hall ... 76 129 218 44 467 Lockbead 10 38 114 7 169 Majority for Hall ... ... ... 298 ASHLEY. Dixon. Pear- Gnild. Pater- Cunson. son. ningham. Oxford ... 22 241 15 12 7 Viewhill ... 34 61 28 1 4 Ohoka ... 24 18 103 1 4 W. Eyreton audLobnrn 12 25 23 2 88 Clarksville 34 61 28 1 4 Gust ... 66 40 33 2 5 182 446 230 19 112 Majority for Pearson—2l6 COLERIDGE. McMillan ... ... ... 356 Enys 141 Jebson ... 118 WAKANUI. The polling for Wakanni election took placo yesterday amid great excitement throughout tho whole electorate. The following are the details of the voting at the booths : Wason. Ivess. Purnell. Ashburton ... 178 253 21 Eakaia 186 66 26 Longbeach ... 63 82 24 Soafield 13 34 3 415 435 74 Majority for Wason—lo, Nino informal votes were tendered at Ashburton, three at Eakaia, and three at Longbeach. Mr Ivess threatens to protest against tho election, owing to minors voting at Rakaia and other irregularities. CHEVIOT. Saunders. M’llraith Fendall. Amberley ... 60 80 41 Kaikonra ... 132 76 28 Waiau... ... 3 34 3 Rotherham ... 13 43 0 Waikari ... 23 32 10 Leithfield ... 13 14 21 Softon ... ... 43 19 35 Ashley ... ... 30 23 9 Cheviot Hills ... 20 13 O Hanmer Plains 2 25 0 Totals ... 339 359 147 Majority for M’llraith—2o. GERALDINE. Wakefield. Postlethwaite. Hayhurat. Temnka ... 204 182 20 Waitohi ... 22 19 5 Kakahu ... 17 40 3 South Rangitata 25 34 0 Winchester 82 14 1 Woodbury 37 16 14 Geraldine... 96 213 20 433 518 63 Majority for Postlethwaite—36 TIMARU. Turnbull ... ... ... ... 413 Gibson ... ... ... ... 150 Partridge ... ... ... ... 77 Majority for Turnbull—263 PENINSULA. Cutten ... ... ... ... 284 Donolly ... ... ... ... 203 Seaton ... ... ... ... 298 Lewis ... ... ... ... 54 GLADSTONE. Sutter. Fisher. Newton. Anderson. ■ Barko’s Pass 1 48 0 0 Fairlio Creek 40 46 1 2 , Washdyko ... 168 83 0 5 Mount Peel... 7 31 0 8 , Pareora ... 35 8 0 4 251 216 1 19 One return to come. ; NEW PLYMOUTH, ' T. Kelly 328 Major Brown ... 179 Two returns to come in.

OAMAEU. Shrimski 396 Hassell 337 Murcott 122 DUNEDIN” CENTRAL. Bastings 263 Bracken ... 340 Graham ... 43 Dickson 76 Cargill 320 DUNEDIN WEST. Hon. T. Dick 459 Stewart 457 DUNEDIN EAST, Green ... 487 Davis 470 DUNEDIN SOUTH. Fish 565 Ross 283 DDNSTAN. Pyke 452 Frazer 297 Four returns to come. MOUNT* IDA. DeLuutonr 205 McKenzie 177 Five returns to come. CLUTHA, Thompson 172 Jowett 187 Five returns to come. MATAUEA. Thompson 94 Richardson 143 McKenzie 145 Eleven returns to come. HOKONUI. Cowan 164 Driver 340 Finn ... ... ... ... ... 66 Eleven returns to come. WALLACE. Hirst 181 Daaiells 216 Ellis 133 Johnstone ... 15 Bnttolph ... 13 Hodgkinson 84 Mclntosh 192 Five returns to come. WAKATIPU. Fergus 324 Mcßride 36 Thomson 323 Eight returns to come. MOEEAKI. M’Kenzie 464 Williams 171 TUAPEKA. J. C. Brown 482 J. F. C. Browne 444 BRUCE. Murray 411 Adamsl ... ... ... ... 466 Rntherford 549 AWAEUA. Kinross ... 48 Bains 229 Smith 104 Joyce 526 Three returns to come. WATTAKI. Reid 378 Duncan 329 WAIKOUAITI. Green 155 Thompson ... 110 Three returns to come. THAMES. Sheehan 546 Speight 529 Majority for Sheehan ... 17 BAY OP ISLANDS. Lnndon 294 Hobbs 525 Majority for Hobbs 331 MAESDEN. Alderton 223 McLeod 86 Mitchelaon 245 Nine returns to come. RODNEY.

George 332 Shepherd 180 Parnell 2 Seven returns to come. WAITEMATA. Hurst 421 Allison 177 Eight returns to come. FEANKLYN NORTH. Bnckland ... ... ... ... 302 Luke ... ... ... ... 183 Major Harris ... ... ... 320 Gordon 8 One return to come. FEANKLYN SOUTH. Hamlin 192 Lawrey 157 Six returns to come. WAIPA. Whitaker 432 Jackson 394 Johns ... ... ... ... 237 COROMANDEL. Cadman ... 374 Brodie ... ... ... ... 281 Mackay 240 Five returns to come. Auckland”city north. Peacock 346 Rees 320 Majority for Peacock ... 26 AUCKLAND CITY EAST. Sir George Grey 349 Clarke ... ... ... ... 315 Majority for Sir G. Grey... 34 AUCKLAND CITY WEST. Dargavillo 253 Fleming 201 Wallis 119 Majority for Dargaville—s2. MANUKAU. O’Rorke 377 McGee 162 Majority for Sir G.M.O’Rorke 215 PARNELL. Moss 393 Monk ... ... ... ... 215 Majority for Moss 178 EDEN. Tole 451 Wood 188 Majority for Tole 263 WANGANUI. Watt (Ministerialist) ... 397 Ballanco „ 393 NAPIER. Buchanan 489 McSweeney 114 McDongall 187 Majority for Buchanan —302 HAWKE’S BAY. Russell 233 Sntton (no return sent) Seven returns to come. TAUEANGA. Stewart ... 267 Morris 229 Kelly 181 Nine returns to come. PICTON. Connolly 357 Eyes 311 WAIEAU. Dodson 550 Seymour ... 381 TARANAKI. Trimble 120 Colesby ... ... ... ... 21 Seven returns to come. EGMONT. Major Atkinson ... m ... 737 Hutcheson ... 400 One return to come. THOENDON. Levin 772 Dwan 228 Majority for Levin 544 TE AEO. Shaw 342 Stafford 331 Johnston ... ... ... —— 397 Majority for Johnston—ss

WELLINGTON SOUTH. Hutchison 471 Coffey 390 Hendrey 14 Edwards 257 Majority for Hutchison—Bl HUTT. Mason 300 Jackson 343 Marks 50 Sinclair 14 EANGITIKEI. Stevens 491 Fox 489 Majority for Stevens 2 WAIEAEAPA SOUTH. Buchanan 436 Bunny ... ... ... ... 370 Boys 119 WAIEAEAPA NOETH. Beetham ... 598 Eenall ... ... ... ... 310 Four returns to come. FOXTON. Newman 197 Francis 61 Bailer 223 Izard 242 Wilson 315 Bussell 193 Two returns to come. WAIMBA. Shephard ... 359 Eichmond 190 Majority for Shephard ... 169 INANGAHUA. Weston 739 Beeves 516 McLean 39 BULLBE. O’Connor 402 Mnnro ... 399 Four returns to come in. WAIPAWA. Ormond 588 Smith 563 EAST COAST. McDonald 403 Locke 376 Gannon 121 Porter 151 Five returns to come. HOKITIKA. Eeid 414 Fitzgerald 576 Several returns to come. GEETMOUTH. Petrie 757 Guinness 599 Maddon 2 KUMABA. Beddon 763 Blake 623 EOSLYN. Hodgkinson 249 Scott 327 Bathgate 341