THE WAITAKI ELECTION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1055, 6 September 1879, Page 2

THE WAITAKI ELECTION.

As the time for closing the poll drew near, yp-terday.theexcitcnient intensified, and both j ides were exceedingly energel •• in bringing to the polling booth dilatory electors ; but, throughout "the contest, Mr. Steward's committee worked most systematically, and with the earnestness of men who had a hard anil desperate battle to fight. A large concourse of people gathered iu the street near the Courthouse, and many were the predictions made as to the result of the poll, but though there were many who thought Mr. Steward would hold either the first or •second position, the majority were of a contrary opinion. As the time wore on the excitement became more intense, but throughout the utmost good feeling prevailed, and wc did not hear of a single row of any kind taking place, though the usual amount of banter was freely indulged in. The totals for the five polling places from which information lias been received are as follow: ITislop. Shrimski. Steward. Oamaru ... 335 321 218 Hampden ... 4G 35 40 Otepopo ... 39 3S 15 Maheno ... 27 20 11 Kakanui ... 32 25 15 Ngapara ... S (> G Teaneraki ... 19 17 4 Cave Valley ... 9 8 5 Cliftcn Falls ... 3 3 0 Livingstone ... 18 IS 7 Duntroon ... 15 15 33 Awamoko ... 15 14 4 I'apakaio ... 11 10 9 Pukeuri ... 17 23 19 Totals ... 594 553 356 Majority for Mr. Hislop, 20S ; majority for Mr. Shrimski, IG7. About ten o'clock last night the Returning Officer (Mr. T. W. Parker), candle in hand, appeared at the door of the Courthouse, and announced tlie general result to about a dozen persons. He also stated that the official declaration of the poll would take place on Monday, at ten o'clock. There was no demonstration of any kind, and the statement that Messrs. Hislop and Shrimski had been returned by such overwhelming majorities created great surprise, very few anticipating that the election would result in such a crushing defeat for Mr. Steward.