THE TARANAKI ELECTORATE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7997, 7 December 1905, Page 2

THE TARANAKI ELECTORATE.

From nine o'clock yesterday morning to six last evening tlio electors of Taranaki deroled practically the whole of their attention to politics. In New Plymouth the early voters wery very numerous, upwards of a thousand exercising their rights before noon at the Theatre Royal, the principal booth, where the Returning Officer, Mr W. A. D, Banks, with a large staff of clerks and a host of scrutineers wore kept busy throughout the whole day. The atmosphcro seemed clearer than usual, for by the provisions of the new Electoral Act Amendment the use of stump oratory or any other method of influencing v»ters was prohibited. There was consequently no bitter argument and no rowdyism. All day long cabs and vehicles of all kinds were rushing to and fro, and the voting was very heavy. The main street was full of people all day. The first return came to hai.d run Pmiiho, and was announced at about 6.20 p.m. from the principal pollingplace. This Jgnvo Mr Okey a mnjo •- ity, an I some of his supporters who wpie previously inclined to be shaky, a rcpted this a« a happy augury. Two or three small returns came in, and (hen at 7.20 came the announcement of the town vote at the Theatre ltoyal. The figures were such as sent Mr K. M. Smith's fronds almost in the seventh heaven of delight, giving him a clear majority of übont four hundred votes. From this time the result was never in doubt, and the crowd cheered and cheered again for the successful candidate. Before lit o'clock every return in Taranaki had been received —a very creditable performance. Just before the tirul returns came, .Mr Hal. Goodnere, on behalf ;■)' the No-License party, said he wished to express hi# hearty appreciation of the very fair and impartial manner in which the polling had been conducted, and also wished to comment on the very orderly manner in which the whole day's proceedings hid passed off, both in the ]iolling-liooths and outside. Mr Banks, in reply, thanked Mr Goodacre for the kind maimer iu which he had spoken of the conduct of the day's business. It was extremely gratifying to him to be assured at thi.-. ."jirly stage that satisfaction had b'.'en given, lie heart ly appreciated (lie expressions so freely given, and again t U lie.l thanks. From about 7.30 p.m. the crowd was gathered at the imperial Hotel corner, where the results were shown. THE POLLING. MR, SMITH'S KETUItX—A BIG MAJORITY. / >• f wSz £ S N Ply (Od) ' * 4 *

About U.3K the interests which had centred in the riciuitv of the Imperial Hotel received an added impetus by the appearance on the Hotel balcony of Messrs F.. Smith and 11. Okey. Tne vast sea of upturned faces raised a mighty cheer when the candidates were observed. After c.omiWative silence had been s vured Mrjpkey said that though there were two (jjftliree returns to come iu he was quite satisfied be was beaten. The fight had been conducted in the best of spirit and if lie had made any personal remarks relative to either of the other candidates lif withdrew them. (Cheers). He knew how to take a defeat, and it was possible that later on he would secure a ivin. He was a bit of a sticker, but as contests like those were rather expensive, they would probably not hear from liim for some time. He thanked his supporters for their rotes, and called for three cheers for the successful candidate, Mr K M. Smith. Needless to say the call was responded to Justify, being followed by a similar compliment to Mr Okey. Mr E. M.'Smith (nlio received a great oratioiw'jaid lie was confident that, though returns were incomplete, lie hud* wiiii the election. He thanked the kind and intelligent electors who bWjt put liim in, and also thanked his eeouiuittce who h;id done all they could on his behalf. He bad received a telegram from the Premier stating that tlie Liberal candidates were being elected all along the line and congratulating him (Mr Smith) 011 his election, and the electors on their choice of a member (or the fifth time. Naturally h' fell prmul at the result of the contest, and he looked at it as show ing the power of the democracy. He had iu the past done all in his liower to serve the district and would do so in the it being his intention to represent the district witli honor ind dignity. He was glad to confirm Mr Okev's remarks as to the fairness of the contest, but he was sorry for those candidates who had been led on by promise* of support only to be deserted at the eleventh hour and left in the wilderness. , ]Jv a continuance of the present, Government's policy New Zealand woull lieconie one of tile greatest natioijs on earth. Although his candidature had been deuouneed in telegrams to the Premier, where, he a ked, were his detractors now ? Under the shade of Molitit Egniont. He coneluded by again 'thanking the electors f r their support, and railed for three cheers for the•ijre: lier, "One of the men ol&God's earth." T.iis was respondefty to Vlb deafening ehcers. after which Mr Smith called for thrrtschecrs for the defeated candiditos, which w'erc given. Mr Smith ■ iien thanked the Daily News and ; Herald for the fair way in which they had acted during the electoral campaign. This concluded the interesting ' (.roceedings. On reaching the exit from tl 0 j Hotel the crowd took possession of the successful candidate, and placed him < in a horseless carriage, and dragged - the vehielc. at a smart towMds i Mr Smithre :i()encc^H^Rhn9Hß cheers nf H.«

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