The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, December 14.1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1082, 14 December 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, December 14.1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

To-day’s second ballot will decide the fate of the Ward Administration, and the result will be awaited with keen interest. The position of the Parties in the first ballot is : Opposition 25 Government 22 There are thirty second ballots and vve will prophesy the results as follows ; —Parnell, Findlay (G); Wanganui. Veitch (Labour) ; Otaki, Field (G); Wellington East, McLaren (Labour); Wellington South, Wnghl (O); Wellington Central, Fletcher (G); Wellington Suburbs, Bell (O); Dunedin North, Thompson (O); Dunedin West, Bedford (O); Riccartou, Witty (G); Avon, McCoombs (1); Christchurch East, Davey (G); Christchurch North, Isitt (I); Ashburton, Ncsworthy (O); Timaru, Craigie (G); Chalmers, Clark (I); Invercargill, Hanau (G); Waitaki, Smith (O); Waimariuo, Smith (0) Waitemala, Napier (G); Grey Lynn, Fowlds (G); Raglan, Bollard (O); Hawke’s Bay, Simsou (G); Masterton, Hogg (1) Pahiatua, Escott (O); Ohiuemuri, Poland (G); Wairau, Duncan (I); Kaiapoi, Buddo (G); Nelson, Atmore (I); Kaipara, Stallworthy (G). Of these, the straight-out Government candidates number 14 ; Opposition 8 ; Independent and Labour S, This would bring the strength of the Parties up to the following standard : Government 36, Opposition 53, Independent and Labour 8. The three Maori members to be elected will bring the total up to 80. A number of the Independent and Labour candidates above selected are pledged to vote against the Government on a nocoufideuce motion. It will be found that our speculations will not fall far short of the actual results to-night.