AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 948, 20 February 1871, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

[FROM OV& OWN COBBESPONDENT.] 9th February. We have nearly got through our share of the general elections, and it being the first under the ballot, was interesting to the student of politics and political combinations. That the result in each contested election here has been the same as under open voting will be generally admitted. The sympathies and intentions of a very large percentage of the voters are no secret to political partizans of all ! sides. That it is the few who really need, or think they need, the ballot, may be safely asserted. Its gains may be summed up in a few words, —less intimidation, less noise. Active personal canvassing appears as much in vogue as ever, and requisitioning apparently equally cessary.

Mr Vogel was elected without opposition for City East. Two of his supporters likewise obtained seats without contests, —O'Rourke for Onehunga, and Swanson for Newton. Two thorough ministerialists —Kerr and Freer—have been defeated by Crejghton and Henderson, in Eden and Waitemata respectively. In Parneli a partial supporter of Vogel (King) was defeated by Wood. City West has returned Gillies and Williamson, the latter a placeman under the ministry ; the defeated candidate, Dignani being also a ministerialist. Mr Munro has been reelected for Marsden; whethe r he is to be classed ministerialist cr oppositionist I cannot tell. Barring that point, no supporter of Vogel has won a contest here yet. To-day the Thames poll is to take place, and if O'Neill succeeds in ousting Swan, that will be the first victory for the ministerialists. The contest will be sharp. Probably Swan will have a majority at the Thames, but his opponent will most likely poll the most votes at Coromandel. Bqckland and Clarke were returned unopposed for Franklin ; neither of them can be relied on to help ministers on a division. Mr Clarke was iormerly a sort of friendly and independent supporter of the Ministry, but was ousted for City East to make room for Mr Vogel. In the extreme North, M'Leod is trying to oust Carleton, who has held the seat since the Constitution came into operation in 1853. Nearer Auckland, Rodney is contested by Farnell and Shepherd, the latter being the oppositionist; the result is doubtful. The East Coast is being contested by Mackay (formerly Civil Commissioner, Warden, and Resident Magistrate at the Thames), against Kelly and Skeef. For Waikato, Kirkwood and Macpherson are up.

Our Provincial Council got through their long session, and among other measures passed a new Licensing Act, containing the desired provision known as the Permissive clause. The Provincial Executive passed safely through the storms of the session, barring the having to throw overboard one of their number as the only way to save the rest. The member so operated on did not appear to relish being sacrificed for the convenience and comfort of his but they left him no choice.

Three fired occurring in one week, concurrently with some strong language at meetings of unemployed, caused a feeling that they were the work of incendiaries ; which was probably the case in one instance, that of the kerosine store. In both the other cases, the habitual use of tobacco and cigars, and the careless manner in which mauy smokers treat matches and remnants of cigars, would leave plenty of room for a. verdict of accidental.

Mr Branigan has been put under restraint in the Lunatic Asylum. The official reason given is " severe mental aDtl bodily hardship, anxiety," &c. Very different reasons are assigned by many in private, not the least significant of which is conveyed by two letters. Disquieting rumors from the Waikato are unpleasantly frequent. No one knows who will be the next victim to the peace-at-any-price doctrine, as exemplified in the flour and sugar policy. Winding up is now the order of the day, and it is indeed surprising that none of the victims to falsehood and fraud have takeD proceedings against the promoters of bubble companies, by whom they have been deluded. 11th February.

O'Neill has won the first victory for ministerialists. Swan polled a majority at the Thames, but over 200 votes for O'Neill for Coromandel turned the scales

with a large majority. In Waikato Mac« pberson is understood to be the winner, having a large majority so far, and only the returns from two stations to come in, which are not likely to disturb the position. The winning man is understood to be no-ministerialist; indeed I am not aware that his antagonist, Kirkwood, could be counted under that head. February 15. Farnell has won the election for Rodney. He is a supporter of the Vogei ministry.