ANTONIO'S ELECTION.

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 79, 19 February 1877, Page 2

ANTONIO'S ELECTION.

The polling for the return of one member to represent the rich'ng of Antonio's in the Inangabua County Council, in the room of Mr T. Gallagher, was taken on Saturday last the polling- places being fixed at Antonio's and at the Little Grey Junction. Mr Eankin, the Keturning Officer, presided at Antonio's, the scrutineers being Mr John Deehan (for M. Byrne), and Mr L. Davies (for D. Duncan). Mr T. Gallagher acted as De» puty Eeturniug-Officer at the Little Grey Junction, the scrutineers there being Mr

} J. C. Crofts (for M- Byrne), and — Doig i (for Duncan). The election was con- . ducted in accordance with tbo provisions s for first elections as provided by the ) Counties Act, miner's rights issued anyi where in the electoral district of the Grey I Valley being admitted to vote, I At Antonio's, but for the incursion , at an early hour of the morning of Mr Duncan's scrutineer, und electioneering maid-of-all-work (Mr Davies), it would hardly have been known that anything unusual was about to happen. The poll opened at the prescribed hour, when after a short parley between the Returning' Officer and Mr Davies as to the conduct of the election, the polling was commenced. During the day Messrs Gulline, Mace, Harris, Franklyn and other voters (nine in number) from Eeefion and various other ridings of the County, arrived on horseback in the interest of Mr Duncan, and were very warmly received by their adherents. Detachments of Mr Byrne's supporters also continued to arrive throughout the day, and were equally well receiyed. The election throughout was conducted with the greatest harmony, and at the close of the poll some excitement was got up as to the result, which was, however, speedily set at rest by the announcement of the poll as follows : — Duncan 23 Byrne 21 At the Little Grey there was but little excitement, although by far the largest number of votes were recorded there. Shortly after the close of the poll the number* were declared as follows :—> Duncan 15 Byrne .„ ... 47 Thus giving a majority for Byrne of 30, the totals being— Byrne, 68 ; Duncan, 38. The electioneering party returned to Reefton late on Saturday evening, and when the result was made known there was the natural jubilation on the one side, und dejection on the other.