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Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1928, Page 4

The returns for the Westland seat were sufficiently advanced about 9.30 o’clock last niglit to indicate tbe probable return of Mr James O’Brien as Member for Westland. The result wn» not generally expected and Mr O’Brien is to be congratulated both on effecting a surprise and also securing a victory which entitles him to again hold the confidence of the people for another period of three years. Tim defeat of Mr Redden is a reverse which is our opinion was not deserved, and from the district point of view wo can only regret it. However, the verdict of the people must be accepted, and Mr O’Brien therefore has to be congratulated on tlm success attained. Wo feel that in Mr Seddon the district had an exceptional representative, and on that account it was a pleasure as it was a duty to support his candidature. Although lie has not won the contest we feel that the district is greatly indebted to him for all that he lias done, and many important district matters will remain always ’associated with his name. As a matter of duty and in the public interests we must accept Mr O’Brien as the newly elected member. He is not a novice having had three years previous experience. We may be sure that Mr O’Brien will strive to do his host for Westland and to that end he will have all necessary support from this paper. He will have to take up the task where Mr Seddon has had to leave off, and he

will need the united support and hacking of the district. When .Mr O’Brien was formerly Member we believe his relations with the community wore all that they should be, and everything was done to co-operate with him. With the relations subsisting as before he should have a pleasant and useful form of office for the benefit of the district and n that good work we wish him well.