Untitled

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1010, 10 December 1881, Page 2

The fiat of yesterday’s elections having gone forth, and the results practically decided by the great centres of population, we may naturally conclude that the central polling place of the East Coast Electorate—Gisborne—gave the first reliable index last night as to which of the four candidates will be the chosen member of this district. The returns from the coast polling places will not be in until to-morrow, and the official announcement will not be made until Monday next. Until the numbers are up, it would be unsafe to attempt to “spot” either of the candidates as the one who must be elected. In all probability the show will be in favor of Mr Locke who, according to the official returns, has led the polling in most of the booths.

Practically we may look at the contest as over; the polisical pulse will subside to its normal condition ; and the corpus of the Electorate will find rest. But, whichever man comes in first, there will be degrees of disappointment to the losing sides ; still the contest will not have been shorn of its good features. There will be the satisfaction of knowing that we have men amongst us, who, with a little training in political life, will yet make their mark; men, who, if permitted the opportunity, can take their place—without discredit to themselves or their constituency—in the Assembly of the people, and forge ahead to the front rank of public notoriety, and Parliamentary excellence. The late election will have the good effect of stimulating the Electoral Mind to the grasp of public questions; of discussing matters that affect the whole district; of canvassing the merits of those whom they w'ish to elect, and generally to incite an intelligent understanding of public affairs. Eellow electors will have been brought out, of whom, in a parliamentary sense little was known a few weeks back; and, generally, it may be said that we shall have taken an onward step with the marching army of the Colony. Therefore, which-

ever way we look at the matter, much as we may regret or be disappointed, on either hand, then willbe acounterpoise. If Mr McDonald is elected, it will be a sad blow to the future of the district; for we must not forget that he cannot be counted as the chosen of the people, whereas if the lot falls to Mr Locke. he will represent the majority of his constituents, and be a consistent supporter of a Government, which has been the first to do justice to this Electorate. We shall await the result of the polling with an unusual interest, and analyse it more fully in our next.