THE COUNTY ELECTIONS.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 180, 30 December 1876, Page 2

THE COUNTY ELECTIONS.

The elections for the three Ridings of the Patea County took place on Wednesday last, and, though everything- passed off most quietly, there was a great deal of interest felt as to the result in Carlyle, at llawera, and in Wavcrley. All the polling booths were ■ opened and closed in accordance with the Act, and though, as a matter of course, some protests wore entered, everything passed off exceedingly satisfactorily. In Carlyle things were specially quiet till late in the day, when o, little excitement Was got up, and a good deal of mild wagering took place. At llawera, the political storm was still more peaceful, and at Wavcrley things were equally placid. This condition of affairs was no doubt owing to the calm that the ballot has brought about in elections, but irrespective of the action of this mode of voting, a singular amount of apathy seemed to he shown in the various centres. With cumulative voting the proportion should have been much larger, in keeping with the importance of the districts represented, and the large stakes that many of the land occupants hold. The Returning Officers must have had some difficulty in determining on the various claims to vote that were preferred, but altogether they seem to .have got through their difficulties remarkably well, whether in Carlyle, Manutahi, Hawera, or Wairoa. The best proof of this is afforded by the fact that there are no protests of a serious nature, and none that will ho subjected to future official investigation. We have reason to think that something may arise out of the alleged abstraction of a certain roll at a critical time, but as this, if proved, will merely absolve ratepayers of a neighboring Road Board from rates for the current months, till March next, there may bo no great lamentation over that fact. Tor the Otoia Riding, as has been previously known, there were eight candidates, but Mr Taplin withdrew, as We announced in our last, and therefore his position on the poll cannot be accepted as any evidence of the estimation in which the electors hold him. . It was, of course, only through misapprehension of his withdrawal that the votes given to him were recorded by the electors. We think, in justice to him, we should make this explanation. The position of a great many of the candidates at the close of ihe various polls occasioned some surprise, but on the whole the results were considered satisfactory. We subjoin the returns os declared, Otoia Riding. Carlyle, Manutahi. Votes. Votes, Tl, W. Dale, jun ... 129 18 147 E. M. Honey field ... 128 11 139 G. F, Sherwood ... 98 40 138 H. Williamson. ... 90 19 115 E. R. Morgan ... 89 10 105 H. S. Peacock, ... 58 , 33 91 A. Hunter ... 55 12 07 S. Taplin (withdrawn) 7 0 13 Hawera Riding. There was only one polling-place for this Riding, and the votes recorded wore as follows ; James Livingstone 155 votes. A. Winks ... 146 „ Thomas Middleman 112 „ James Davidson 72 „ M, J. Goodson 50 „ Wavebley Riding. The results were as follows ; Thomas Kells... ... ... 11l votes. J. W. Kenah 80 „ G. S. Bridge 79 „ •W. Wilson ... 49 „

It will be thus seen that for Otoia, Messrs Dale, Honeyfield, and Sherwood wore successful ; for Hawera, Messrs Livingstone, Winks, and Middlemas are the x-epresentatives ; and for Waveiley, Messrs Kells, Kenah, and Bi’idgo will do

battle. As we have already stated, the election passed oil’ in the most quiet and orderly ’manner. Major Turner officiated as Returning Officer in Carlyle, Mr E. C. Meredith at Hawera, Mr WhitCtmibe at Manutahi, and Mr Hurrell at Waverley. TJic manlier in which all discharged their difficult duties was admirable, and there Was not a suspicion of injustice or unfairness heard .throughout the day. Altogethsr the election passed off wel', and we are glad to be able to record as much in connection with the first election of a Patea Council.