THE EGMONT SEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 99, 12 September 1912, Page 4

THE EGMONT SEAT.

MR. 'WILKINSON'S CAMPAIGN.

]n furtherance of his political campaign, Mr. v. A. Wilkinson addressed meetings at Auroa and Kapuni on Monday evening, which were largely intended, and was voted hear.y thank's at eaeU place. Mr. R. Dunij presided at Auroa, and Mr. J. 1<". Stevenson at Kapuni. Tin; latter told the electors that they were very fortunate to have such a progressive, and able man offering 'his services as member. When moving a vote of thanks, Mr. 11. Huglus paid a high tribute to Mr. Wilkinson's straight business dealings.. Substantial additions were made to the committee at each place, and a keen interest was shown throughout.

On Tuesday morning at Inalia, Mr. Wilkinson addmssjd the electors, Mr. A. Willeocks presiding, and at the close received a unanimous vote of thanks and confident, on the motion of Messrs. Suowden and J. Robertson.

About a hundred and iiftv people listened to an address by Mr. Wilkinson in the" Manaia Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon. Mr. J. Hunt presided. The candidate was far more vigorous and ellVrtive than on his previous visit, and •had a very attentive hearing throughout. He explained that he had never claimed credit for removing the harbor rate, but with others had brought about the policy that bad made this possible. There were other reforms, however, for which he was entitled to the credit. A vote of thanks was moved by Mr. Campion, and in seconding this Mr. Wells endorsed what the candidate had said on harbor matters. The motion was carried with enthusiasm.

Tdio same evening one of the biggest meetings ever, held at Otakeho was addressed by Mr. Wilkinson. After questions had been answered a vote of thanks and confidence was proposed and seconded, followed by prolonged applause. About .forty attended the ensuing committee meeting, and new members were added • o the list. The proceedings were most enthusiastic.—(Contributed.)

MR. ASTBURY'S CAMPAIGN.

Probably one of the most enthusiastic meetings held during t.he campaign was the one addressed by Mr. D. L. A. Ask bury at Pihama on Tuesday night. Mr. A. McKeown occupied the chair. Mr. Astbury dealt in his customa/ able manner with the political nuestifl of the day, including the Public De\, Extinction Act, Civil Service Reform, Legislative Council Reform, and the Opunake railway. His protest of the unfair treatment by the Reform Party of Mr. Dive met with strong assent. The speech was frequently punctuated by applause.

As usual, Mr. Astbury was in his element when replying to questions. A vote of thanks was passed, on the motion of Mr. S. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Harrop. A very large committee, witb Mr. McKeown as chairman and Mr. Mason as secretary, was formed. (Contributed.)

At the time of the last election in Egmont there were CO7-J- voters' names on the electoral roll. When the ''purging" took place after the election thnre were close upon 1000 struck off. On the roll for the coming by-election there are G127 voters' names, a decrease of 547 as compared with the last Toll. There were 421 names placed on the present roll, and there were 100 applications for registration which were handed in toolate for the Registrar to accept them.— Eltham. Argus.

A rumor is current to the effect that before election day the electorate is to be invaded by members of Parliament —(lovernment and Opposition—who will deliver speeches in aid of each candidate (says the Eltham Argus). We hope that there is nothing in the rumor. The candidates are both capable of speaking for themselves'. They are neither of them weaklings. We trust that there, will be no outside interference. Let each candidate fight this battle on his owa merits. We have authority for saying that Mr. Wilkinson deprecates any interference in this fight by outsiders, and from what we know of Mr. Aatbury'a character lie also is a man who would refuse to be assisted by platform appearances of politicians desirous of speaking on his behalf. It seems to us (hat this is to be a genuine contest, confined to two candidates, and politicians are "warned off."