The Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1878.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 701, 15 June 1878, Page 2

The Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1878.

Tue situation in regard to the election of two members of the V\ aitaki Road Board for the Papakaio Sub-division has reached another point of ridiculousness. Matters are now very much more mixed than when we last referred to the subject. Pursuant to notice, ft poll was hel 1 at the gchoolhouse, Papakaio, on Thursday. Mr. J. T. Evans acting as Deputy Returning Officer. The result of that election was that Messrs. Boekie and Nicoll wore returned by very- considerable majorities over Mr. Smillie. But here conies the difficulty. On the same day Mr. Petf.k Aitcbi.sox. the first-appointed Returning Officer, notwithstanding the decision of the Board, held a poll at Mr. Wilson"'* barn, where the voting was considerably different from that at the School-house. Mr. ArrinisoN", signing himself '• Returning Officer," now declares Messrs. Smilue

and >"n'oi.i.s elected. Of course this result will not be recognised by the Board, and .1 very nice little scene is likely to be enacted at the next meeting. In the meantime there are a number of people who will stronslv maintain that Mr. Smili.ir. 13 elected, while the friends of Mr. I'or.r.ir. will doubtless feel happy, cor.iteritly Iniieviiig that their man is returned. jN'o doubt both gentlemen will take their seats when the Board meets, and some amusement will be created in consequence. Since the election was taken, a new discover}* lias been made. Turning to a Provincial Gazette of May, 1874, it wa3 found that Mr. Wilsons barn had never been proclaimed a polling place, the proclamation of the then Superintendent naming Mr. S. il-sox's residenco. This is only a small point, but it will no doubt be seized upon as a means of adding fresh fuel to the fire already smouldering amongst the members of the Board, and of tormenting still further poor 31 r. Aitchisox. What the outcome of all this disputing and mild squabbling will be, it is hard to say, but we have little doubt that every effort will be made by both parties to maintain what they conceive to be their rights. The result will very likely be that a new election will be rendered necessary.