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Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 776, 7 January 1871, Page 2

The contest for the representation of the Grey Valley in the Assembly is now being entered upon with an earnestness that has never previously been shown in the district, and which will grow in intensity as the day of election approaches. The writ has been received by Mr Revell, Returning Officer, who has appointed the nomination to take place at the Court

House, Greymouth, on Thursday, the 19th inst., and the poll on Thursday, the 26th inst., so that there is now very little time for the committees to be organised and set to work properly, so as to ensure the return by a triumphant majority *oE the able and tyied representative of thft'dis- , trict, Mr W. H. Harrison, and4.p defeat the attempt which is being made* by a small clique to thrust upon the^clisirici a-gen-, tle*nen who is utterly. desiitwKTof the first requirements of a representative— an, intimate and practical knowledge of the interests and wants of the people whose suffrages he is soliciting. Great interest is being taken in the contest throughout the whole of the^Grey Valley, and whereever he has gone on his present electioneering tour Mr Harrison has received a warm welcome and unanimous promises of support. On Thursday evening he addressed one of the largest meetings ever held at Half-Ounce — Dr Donovan in the chair — and was most attentively listened to throughout a long address. At its conclusion a motion of confidence in him was carried unanimously, and a strong committee formed to secure his election. It is to be regretted that the Government did not see tit to make Hsilf- | Ounce a polling place, as the greater portion of the population of the district is [ now settled there, and the men will be disfranchised unless they travel to Napoleon Hill to vote. It is not too late to have this remedied, and, in the interests of both candidates and electors, a strong representation ought to be made to the Returning Officer, who would then telegraph to Wellington for permission to place a polling-booth at Half-Ounce. We understand that Mr Harrison was to address the electors at Ahaura last evening, at Napoleon to-night, at Nelson Creek on Monday, and at No Town on Tuesday. It is to be hoped that his efforts will be energetically seconded by his town and country committees, as we believe the other side are leaving no stone unturned to secure the return of Mr Buckley. When that gentleman will address the electors in .town is problematical — possibly after ho has acquired some little knowledge of the district which he seeks to represent !