The Egmont Seat.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 104, 18 September 1912, Page 5

The Egmont Seat.

VTC'TORY FOR MR. WILKINSON. •2700 TO 22-20. '-telegraph—Own Correspondent. Eltham, Last Night.

There was seething excitement in the main stieets of Eltham to-night, a great cn.wd having collected in front of the ';»• hoarding of the Eltham Argus, lu'turns began to come in early, and before very long the result could be predicted. With twenty returns in Mr. Wilkinson had a majority of fiftv-four. The convincing factor in the figures was the majority of 51 cast for Mr. Wilkinson in Eltliam, it having been freely stated that the town was an Astburv stronghold. The Liberal candidate did not poll a majority at Manaia, as was expected, but led at Opunake and Kaponga. The arrangements made by Mr. W.' •!. Tristram, returning officer, must have been good, for the returns came in promptly, and all were in before halfpast "'ght. The last to arrive was Kahui. which increased Mr. Wilkinson's lead from 405 to 483. THE CANDIDATES' ADDRESSES. I-pon figures being completed, Messrs'. Wilkinson and Astbury mounted th" Central Hotel balcony and addressed the which was composed of the usual conflicting elements, who indulged in their right to cheer and hoot to the fullest extent, It was some time before the new member for Egmont could obtain a hearing from a section of the crowd, which, however, quietened down when appealed to by Mr. Astbury. Mr. Wilkinson thanked the electors for tne prou,d position they had placed him in, at the top of the poll. The victory, ho said, was a tribute to the Reform Party, and. of course, something of a tribute to himself. He thanked them heartily for their votes, and especially the people of Eltham for the majority thev had given him. They had been led to believe, in different parts of the electorate, that he would not poll a majority here, hut tiiat- had been proved to be wrong. He read a telegram just received from Mr. W, F. Massey. as Prime Minister. congratulating him on the victory, and thanking the electors of Egmont for their confidence in the Reform Party. Mr. Wilkinson continued that ho hoped to be of some service to the people in the Parliament of the country. He thanked the newspapers for their fair treatment of him during the contest, particularly referring to the Opposition paper in Eltham. He had, he said, found Mr. Astbury a good foeman. He had fought a good contest, and, though unsuccessful. still he had to congratulate him on t the excellent fight he had put up. He again thanked all concerned, and concluded by shaking hands with Mr. Astbury before the crowd, amidst a great outburst of cheers and counter cheers. Mr. Astbury had the same difficulty as Mr. Wilkinson in getting a hearing, until the lalter appealed to all who had voted for him not to raise their voices whilst Mr. Astbury was speaking: then quietness reigned. Mr. Astbury said that when he consented to stand as the Liberal candidate he knew that he was up against a stiff proposition, but he felt that he would not be doing his duty to the Liberals if he had not filled the breach. He had striven to uphold the long record of the Liberal Party. He believed that wealth had concentrated itself in the Egmont electorate to win this seat—(Cries of dissent) —and it had won. There had been only disinterested workers on the Liberal side. They had donV their best, and he (hanked his committees and supporters for their support and earnest work. Continuing. he said that he had. at the commencement- of the contest, set up a standard to deal with politics without personality. an-1 he believed he and his supporters had acted up to the standard, and had lost, but it was not an ignoole defeat. Sooner or later they would turn defeat into victory. He believed that what he had advocated was in the best interests of the people of New Zealand, and although the Reform Party was in the ascendant at the present, yet the day would come—(interruptions)—when democracy would recognise its own duties, and place him at the head of the poll. He thanked Mr. Wilkinson for his kindly remarks, and thanked the voters, his committees and supporters, also his friends and opponents for the hospitality extended to him again and again. The candidates then adjourned to the Towiullall. where Havwards Pictures were in progress. The hall was densely crowded.

Mr. Wilkinson spoke first, much in the same terms as his balcony speech, adding that the Reform Party would prove efficient to govern the country. He regarded the vote as a message to the whole of Nciv Zealand. The will of the electors of Egiuont would be echoed far and wide, and do good to the country. Tie luid known his opponent many, many years as a close and personal friend, and felt sure that his friendship would not be afVected. lie concluded by expressing his pride at being elected the member for the Egmont electorate. Mr. Astburv introduced himself as the defeated candidate. The elector's, he said, had seen fit to consider him not a fit person to represent them, and he had to abide by their decision. He still believed that his thoughts, aspirations and desires were in the best interests of the people, lie accepted the inevitable, and felt satislied that he had given the best that was in him to the cause of Liberalism, and he accepted the next best thing to victory—an honorable defeat. Tie would now retire to his farm, content in a measure that the work of his farm would not be disorganised. The crowds were very orderly throughout. ' THE POLLING. The detailed results were as follows: Astburv. Wilkinson. EH ham i>2:> 576 Moeroa 10 H ii.M-.'Mi:i ......... 15 1!) Mangamillgi 23 24 Rawiiitiroa 28 45 Mangatuki 78 125 Kawmua 17(1 130 Riv'erlea 3!) 51 Aw?, tuna 25 02 To Kiri 3d 58 MaiigaliUilic 3 4!) Opunake 10(5 148 Onoiuii 52 56 Opua 14 15 Kaliui If 28 Rahotu 6.1 105 Pungareliu "0 42 Warra 'lO 40 New-ill ItoLid .... 6 2o Puniho 6 14 'l'ihuma 6" Oi a I:eh;> 02 115 Anrosi 39 85 Kapuiii 76 <4 Mai,.,-!, 45 111 Tnalia 27 Ci Oka'uuva 162 T( . j' ; ,f i 25 84 Eraser Road " 81 Ararat;; j> 40 Mer.micro 3 15 Tif'sta Hi 25 i Totals 2220 : 2709 ; .