CITY ELECTION—POLLING DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5005, 9 April 1877, Page 3

CITY ELECTION—POLLING DAY.

Throughout the contest for the seat in the House of Representatives, left vacant by the retirement of Mr. Edward Pearce, it was apparent that the interest in it was more than usually strong ; perhaps the people were led to this by the indefatigable manner in which the candidates addressed them in all parts of the town, to say nothing of the little personalities that were freely interchanged. There was no nonsense about the election fight which terminated on Tuesday so far as being in earnest was concerned. Both gentlemen fought gallantly. The polling commenced on March 27th at nine o’clock, and from that hour up to noon there were a very large number of votes recorded at the two booths. Cabs with the names of the respective candidates posted on their sides travelled up and down the streets with great rapidity, and electioneering agents of all degrees and committee-men were hard at work running the voters in. Those on the side of Mr. Travers worked well. Many and original were the devices they had to encourage the free and independent electors to vote for the limb of the law, if Mr. Travers will pardon the expression as applied to him for a purely distinguishing purpose. That gentleman’s cause, for instance, found advocacy in the exhibition of a fat pig, upon which was inscribed in big letters—“ Tra\ era, the coming man." This pig was carried round the town on an express, upon which a staff with flag attached was erected, and as the vehicle rattled along the pig was made to squeak his mightiest in the interest of his candidate, being impelled thereto by the prickly promptings of a gentleman who kept him company. Mr. Wallace deserved thanks, too, at the hands of Mr. Travers, for he devoted himself so thoroughly to scraping up votes that the excitement consequent thereon, together with the genial warmth of the sun’s rays, had an effect that was wonderful to behold, and the astonishment of those accustomed to that worthy gentleman’s habit of mind and manner in times of peace, was increased by witnessing his profligate distribution of Swiss cigars, an apparently unlimited supply of which he carried in his pocket. On the other hand, Mr. Hutchison’s men worked well, but unostentatiously, and during the earlier part of the day it was very evident that he was polling highest. Later on, however, Mr. Travers’ supporters looked up, and the polling became in his favor at the central booth, while at the Te Aro booth the majority seemed to favor the Mayor. There was a large amount of betting done. One gentleman well-known in sporting circles was heard to offer 10 to 1 on the Mayor, whilst he offered 15 to 5 that the latter polled 25 per cent, higher than his opponent. A good many bets were made, mostly even betting, whilst odds were given by enthusiasts on both sides occasionally. Although very different accounts were given by those supposed in some mysterious manner to have a knowledge of the state of the poll from time to time during the day, there was of course no certainty about the thing at all; and most sensible people were content to wait. The general impression, however, was that the result wouldshowthecontest to have been a close one. This was actually the case. But it may be mentioned that the Mayor stood at a disadvantage with his oppon'ent, who, as before stated, had men working for him in all directions, whilst on the other side there seemed to be no organisation whatever. At the central booth, for instance, the Mayor had only a single committee-man ; no attempt apparently was made to direct the votes in his favor in the ordinary way on such occasions, whilst the friends of Mr. Travers were bringing themselves to a warm-bath condition in their efforts on his behalf; and the wonder is, therefore, that Mr. Hutchison should have polled so many. At about half-past five o’clock the result of the polling at Te Aro booth was known, giving Mr. Hutchison a majority of 56 votes : but when the totals at the central booth were known the figures stood thus— Travers, 573 ; Hutchison, 563. Great shouts from the Travers party and cheers in plenty were given when it was heard that Mr. Travers was the successful candidate. But there were gloomy faces in the crowd mid all this rejoicing. Some of the confident friends of the defeated one had been backing him heavily. Their expectations were high during the day, but the change in their appearance was wonderful to behold as they knew the “ awful truth.” Their breasts fell in, and faces elongated took the place of those which erstwhile beamed with hope and anticipated pleasure. It was an awful sell for them, and “a jolly lark” for those who won, for it must be remembered that the street on Tuesday in the vicinity of the Court House was the scene of an immense amount of betting. Whilst the crowd were assembled there—a very large crowd—and whilst the air was filled with shouts of victory ; whilst two newspaper gentlemen were converting themselves into windmills, and exercising their lungs till their faces partook of the color of beetroot; whilst excited admirers of the victorious one scrambled up on the platform, and knocked over thereby a collection of small boys who were risking their very lives in endeavoring to scrutinize the heads of the people over the landing,—whilst all this was going on, the successful candidate made his appearance before the crowd, who presently became silent.

Mr. Travers then said: Gentlemen, —Allow me to say a few words to you. There is of course no formal declaration of the poll. But we have reason to believe that the numbers which have been announced to us are correct, and if they be correct I have recorded 573 votes —(loud cheers) —and Mr. Hutchison, to his honor be it spoken, has recorded 563. (Cheers). I can only give this as an in- ' formal declaration, gentlemen, but I have some reason for believing it to be true. All I can say now is this, that if I have won the battle on the present occasion it is not to the dishonor of my opponent. We have had a fair fight, and I hope that the relations which existed between myself and the Mayor before this election will in no degree be altered, and that the result of the contest will in no way interfere with the harmony that subsisted between us previously. It is clear to me, gentlemen, that the result of this polling shows at all events that I had a man against me who was held in honor by this community. If it should turn out, on the formal declaration of the poll, that I have the honor of being elected, you may rely upon it I shall not forget it, and I shall be prepared, when the time comes, to do my duty, at least as conscientiously, if not as efficiently, as those gentlemen who are now members for this province. (Cheers.) I can assure you that an honor of this kind is one I highly prize. I thank you all, and I especially thank the gentlemen who were kind enough to act as my committee, and who worked in my behalf with the utmost singleness of heart. (Cheers.) Indeed, gentlemen, to me it is always a matter of surprise when one is called upon on occasions of this kind how many friends one finds that he little thought of before. I assure you I feel very much indebted to those gentlemen who have given me their assistance, and for the great honor they have done me ; and I have no hesitation in saying, while I feel the triumph to be a great one, that I have been defeated more than once, and know the feelings with which a man must retire from a contest of the kind. As it was, the numbers of the poll reflected honor upon the Mayor, and I hope and believe that we shall only remember that we fought, and that he came out of it without dishonor. I again thank you, gentlemen, for placing me in the position I have attained to-day. (Prolonged cheering.) Mr. Hutchison then came forward and said: I accept the result of the polling as showing the feeling of the electors ; and I hope that there will be no ill-feeling arising out of the contest. There has been a fair fight, and I accept the decision of the electors with perfect equanimity. I am very much indebted to those who rallied round me, and worked for me with a will and energy I shall never forget. If, "01111611160, the official declaration of the poll shows that I am in the minority now iu-

dicated, I shall be perfectly satisfied, and congratulate Mr. Travers upon the victory he has won. I have nothing more to say gentlemen than this, I hope now the contest is concluded that there will be no hard words used on either side. (Cheers.) Mr. Crawford (the Returning Officer) came forward and stated that the official declaration of the poll would take place on Thursday next at 12 o’clock.

Those on the platform then descended, and Mr. Travers was subjected to congratulations sligtly more trying in character than the position of an illustrious stranger holding a levee in America. One of the newspaper gentlemen embraced him with affectionate ardor, whilst the other again converted himself into a windmill in a high breeze, and lustily shouted for joy. Then came the final movement. It had to be done. Mr. Travers was suddenlycollared from behind by one of his supporter's. He began at once to assume a limp appearance. Someone then took possession of his right leg. He doubled up. Then a few ready hands, strengthened by the excitement of the moment, gave the successful candidate a vigorous hoist, and he was immediately on top of the crowd, which he regarded with a countenance in which pathetic regard for his own bodily safety struggled with an attempt to look serene. He was borne thus in triumph to his office.

We understand that the actual state of the poll, as ascertained, was a majority of eight for Mr. Travers, it being stated subsequently to Mr. Travers’ address that two of the votes received for him had to be struck out in consequence of some informality.