TARANAKI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 139, 3 September 1853, Page 4

TARANAKI.

We have New Plymouth advices to the 20th July. AH interest seems to be absorbed in the elections. The election fo r ! Superintendant took place on the 16th Juta and resulted, as we have already announ c l ed, in the return of Mr. Charles Brown We extract from the Herald the following particulars of the contest, which was conducted in a manner to draw forth the warm encomiums of our contemporary :—■ The poll commenced at 9 o'clock on. Saturday morning-, and before eleven it was understood that Mr. Wicksteed had virtually resigned.— That gentleman polled a few votes early in the morning, and abstained from further exertion until the arrival of his supporters from Omata, when there appearing no probability of gaining his own election, Mr. Wicksteed released his friends from their engagement to vote for him, without attempting in the [slightest degree to influence their conduct in regard to either of the rival candidates. At 12 o'clock the state of the poll was as follows :— Brown 142 Halse 121 Wicksteed.... 12 I . The polling for the two highest candidates I went on briskly, the majority for Mr. Browu gradually increasing, and finally closed at four o'clock, when'the numbers were— Brown 173 Halse .;.... 138 Wicksteed 12 The total number of the voters is stated at 353, so that only 30 of the whole constituency neglected to poll. The result of this election will be variously viewed by the partisans of the respective candidates ; but only one opinion can be he)d of the very creditable manner in which the whole affair 'was conducted, creditable alike to the Province, the Candidates, and the Electors. To say that success was used with temperance and forbearance is no mean praise ; and defeat encountered with good temper and dignity, is no less admirable ; the urbane and dignified bearing exhibited by the unsuccessful candi-^ dates excited, even an?ong their opponents, the liveliest feelings of admiration and sympathy.— Both gentlemen, submitting gracefully to the decision of the electors, liberally gave to their successful opponent an assurance that they should ever be ready to aid in the public service of the Province, and assist him in the arduous duties before him.