STRANGE SCENE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8343, 1 February 1913, Page 5

STRANGE SCENE

AT DEARY ELECTION REMARKABLE INCIDENTS, WITNESSED BEDRIDDEN MEN CARRIED TO BOOTHS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 31, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, January 31. Considerable interest is being taken in the by-eioction for the Londonderry seat in the House of Commons, a vacancy for which has been caused by the resignation of Lord Hamilton, who has succeeded his father (the Duke of Aborcoru), and therefore takes his scat in the House of Lords. Lady Aboroorn hah actively canvassed the constituency. The polling includes all the lam©, halt, and blind obtainable, and soma voters from America. A Nationalist victory is forecasted, after a strenuous contest. 1 At noon 75 per cent, of the voters bad polled. There was then a fieroo contest to gather in the remainder. Many remarkable incidents were ivitnessed. A man, evading a warrant, returned, risking arrest, and voted. Bedridden men wero carried to th» booths. Ono Unionist died before he recorded his vote. Several sick Nationalists, accompanied by priests prepared to administer tbo last rites, were carried to tho poll. Tho city was proclaimed for throe days, and precautions taken against a riot. Two hundred troops and five hundred constabulary are in readiness. A message published on January 10th stated: Tho Nationalists at Londonderry, fearing that Mr Leslie, who is a convert to i Catholicism, will alienate the vote* of Protestant Homo Itnlers, have finally selected Mr Hogg, a Presbyterian. Mr Leslie was Lord Ramilton'e opponent fo( Londonderry city at the last olectio* but was defeated by 105 votes.