EGMONT BYE-ELECTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 17, 12 September 1912, Page 5

EGMONT BYE-ELECTION.

BOTH SIDES CONFIDENT

(Per Press Association.) Eltham, September 11. As election day draws closer, interest is increasing in the forthcoming election. Mr Asthury held a big mass meeting in Eltham last night, and was well received. Mr Wilkinson will address a mass meeting on the night before the poll. Both candidates are strenuously touring all parts of the electorate, and each side professes to be absolutely confident of winning. MjR. WILKINSON’S CANDIDATURE The Reform candidate continues to address the electors in various parts of the electorate, speaking sometimes twice or even three times in one day.

At Auroa and Kapuni on Monday evening he was voted hearty thanks at each place. Mr R. Dunn presided at Auroa, and Mr. J. F. Stevenson at Kapuni. When moving a vote of thanks, Mr R. Hughes paid a high tribute to Mr Wilkinson's straight business deal ngs. On Tuesday morning at Inaha he received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, on tho motion of Messrs Snowden and J. Robertson.

About a hundred and fifty people attended in the Manaia Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon. Mr J. Hunt presided. The candidate was far more vigorous and effective than on his previous visit, and had a very attentive hearing throughout. He explained that he had never claimed credit for removing the harbour rate, but with others had brought about the policy that had made this possible. There were other reforms, however, for which he was entitled to the credit. A vote of thanks was moved by Mr Champion, and. in seconding this Mr Wells endorsed what the candidate had said on harbour matters. The motion was carried with enthusiasm. The same'evenmg he had one of the biggest meetings ever held at Otakeho, and a vote of thanks and confidence was followed by prolonged applause*