THE WAKANUI ELECTION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2551, 12 June 1882, Page 4

THE WAKANUI ELECTION.

The nomination of candidates in conneo'ion with the vacancy in the electoral district of Wakanui, took place at noon on Saturday last, at the Ashburton county ealeyards. Owing no doubt to the inclemency of the weather, the attendance of elector* and other* was not so large as the unusual amount ol interest that is being evinced in tha coming contest might have warranted, Still, notwithstanding the fact of having to wade ankl.deep in mud to reach the place of uominatioa, there were between fifty a-.d sixty “free and independents” present, many of whom gave vent to their feeling* in no unmeasured terms dnring the proceedings. Mr George Jameson (the returning officer) haring read the gazetted notice of the nomination, Mr James Brown, after briefly r Jerring to Mr Ivess’ qualifications, proposed that gentleman as a fit and proper pereo j to be the Wakanui representative. This was seconded by Mr A. Gibson. Mr Joseph Megson, who was frequently interrupted during the delivery of a short speech, proposed Mr Alfred Baunders os a candidate for the vacant sjut.

Mr John Irvii said he had very great pleasure in seconding the proposition. Mr Ives* then came forward, and stated that having so recently expressed bis views at various meetings throughout the district, ho would not detain them there by making a lengthy speech. If elected—and he had very little doubt of the result of the poll to bo taken on the 16th—he would do hia beat to serve them, and thoroughly represent the district.

Mr Saunders next addressed the meeting, speaking at some length on what principles snoold characterise a true Liberal and si true representative of the working man. He complained of the inaccuracy of the report of his speech, as appearing in the Ashburton “Mail” that morning, and repudiated the reports that had appeared from time to time about himself in Mr Ivess’ paper. He criticised the statement and views of his opponent, and then replied to a number of questions that were put by various electors present. Mr Ivess then briefly replied to Mr Saunders, After which, the Returning Officer ns.ied fox a show of hands, with the result that thirty-six were held up In favor of Mr Ivess, and fourteen in favor of Mr Saunders. A ■poll was therefore demanded on behalf of the latter. The Returning Officer announced that the poll would take place on Friday the 16th inst.; and efter the usual vote of thanks to (hat officer, the proceedings, which had been of a somewhat noisy and troublesome character, terminal ed.