THE ELECTION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2722, 9 December 1881, Page 3

THE ELECTION.

The polling to-day for the Timaru District proceeded very quietly, and though of course there was a good deal of interest taken in it, there,was nothing like excitement manifested. The stream of voters to the polling booth was steady most of the day, now and then amounting almost to a rush. Within the Court room, a small space was divided off with calico hangings, to allow voters to erase the surplus names on the voting papers in secrecy. At the lawyers’ table sat Mr Beetham the Returning Officer, assisted by three poll clerks, each of who had a special task assigned him. One assisted in finding the voter’s number on the, roll, verified by the Returning Officer, a second wrote the number on a voting paper, the Returning Officer initialed the number, and the third assistant fastened down the numbered corner with a wafer, stamped on the back of too paper the name of the district, and banned it to the voter, the whole proceeding being conducted with great ease and regularity. Mr Partridge was the only candidate who appointed a scrutineer. Mr Partridge himself was busy during the day distributing small handbills among those who came to vote, setting forth some of his claims to bo returned. There was not much excitement during the day or much fun. There was generally a small knot of persons around the. gates of the Courtyard, _ and good humored chaff was indulged in. In the afternoon an express was fitted up with a placard bearing a motto having reference to the special voters for the Hall party from Christchurch. A single passenger, a rudely got up dummy, sat on the step behind, holding fast to a suspicious looking bottle. _ The idea would have been better carried out had half-a-dozen such passengers been provided. Expresses and other conveyances ran at frequent intervals to the Washdyke, and the number of voteis who polled in both the Timaru and Gladstone districts must have been considerable.

A special train conveying about thirty voters left Christchurch at eleven o’clock this morning, and arrived here about quarter to four. Among other places, the train stopped at Dunsandel, Eakaia, Ashburton, Temuka, and Washdyke, near which stations polling booths in different districts were situated. Hot all the contingent came all the way through by the train to Timaru, only nine or ten getting out here. A number got out at the Washdyke, however, and wc presume would be picked up on the train. The placarded express before - mentioned, with the dummy passenger behind, was driven from the station to the pollingbooth just in front of the party, the driver calling out, “All aboard for the Hall party.” The special left again for Christchurch at 4.130, ahead of the ordinary evening train.

THE GERALDINE CONTEST. Mr Haylmrst Withdraws[from our special correspondent.] Temuka, Dec. 9. Mr Hayburst has withdrawn and thrown all his interest in for Mr Postlethwaite, whose election is considered certain. There is great excitement here. [By Telegraph,] Wellington, Dec. 9. The returns received up to the present (1.15 p.m.) for the Eastern Maori trict give—Tomoana, 768 ; "Rogers, 555 ; Wiperi, 542 ; and Ngatu, 153. Oamabu, Dec. 9. There is not much excitement oyer the elections. Both sides are working vigorously. For O&tDßru too contest he close, but Shrimski will he re-elected. For Waitaki, Duncan it is believed, will beat Reid, and McKenzie will have an easy victory for Moeraki. Dunedin, Dec. 9. The elections in the City and suburbs are causing the keenest excitement. There will bo a great struggle for Dunedin East and West. It is generally thought that Mr Dick will he most closely run, whilst the publicans openly boast he will be beaten. For Peninsula, Mr Seaton seems certain of return, with Mr Donnelly a close

second. Mr Fish is a certainty for Dunedin South, and Mr Cargill for Dunedin Central, with Mr Bracken next. Mr Bathgate has the best chance for Eoslyn.