THE ELECTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2588, 30 November 1893, Page 2

THE ELECTION.

RAN GIT AT A

PAREORA. The election of a member for Pareora caused one of the most interesting contests that has ever been witnessed iu the district. The new element introduced, namely, the female franchise, left the ultimate issue in doubt until the last moment. The supporters of the Government consistently maintained that they would have a substantial majority, whilst those who supported Mr Rhodes relied upon his general popularity and the fact that he faced the electors with a six years' consistent record of parliamentary Tfe. Throughout the preliminary contest it may be said that the utmost good feeling prevailed. There were, of course, occasional jars, but members of each party recognised the sterling personal worth of the combatants they espoused, and on the whole it must be said that the battle was a fair one, especially considering the conflicting elements introduced. On the election day the head polling place, Temuka, was the centre of a busy throng, for both parties were determined to poll their womankind as early as possible. As a consequence, although the arrangements made by the returning officer, Mr F. W. Stubbs, were as complete as possible, still polling was effected very slowly. The block was somewhat relayed when the '? shepherds " of both candidates commenced to identify voters 'and hand them their roil numbers.. Later on the pressure was relayed, and there was nothing like a rush until close on four o'clock. Outside the booth there was a good deal of canvassing, and the successful candidate is to be congratulated upon the manner in which hjs. supportera worked for him. They vs&Uy iefc nothing uhd.qn'o i$ secure his i£iiQ actual result of the election return. '"i„ rtftl figeonnts. in apis, according to r - W tllCi fact coi-dance with anticipations, ~ _ u v that Mr Rhodes had a majoii „

in the country of only 75 and his opponent a majority of 290 in tho town is, doubtless, a revelation to both parties. At the country polling booths there was little excitement, with the exception of Pleasant Point, where party fe ding ran high. The absolute returns were looked for with eagerness, but as they were somewhat delayed the excitement abated, and the final announcement was received with little or no demonstration. At the telegraph office there was a certain amount of egg throwing and "barracking," but on tho whole the election was a very quiet one. Mr Flatwas elected by a majority of 215, The dotailed results are given below and we have only to add that there were an unusual number of informal votes (34) at PJeasaiit

Point. The official declaration will be made at noon to-day, at the courthouse. The following is the result of the polling at the various booths :

The election at Geraldine excited unusual interest, although it was conducted in a vey orderly manner. As soon a 3 the polling booth was opened three ladies were the first to put in an appearance and cast their votes. Then followed quite a flock of ladies, till the booth was crowded. Polling was carried on vigorously, with only a few short spells, right up till .closing time, and three of Mr Maslin's supporters were just too late, the doors being closed when they were within a hundred yards of the booth. At the close of the poll Mr Maslin's supporters were sanguine of a good majority in their favor, in spite of tha fact that several votes were lost to them by certain personal statements issued by Mr Mr Cuthbertson on the eve of the election. When the result of the poll was known, however, ic was evident that Mr Cuthbertbom's speech, contrary to anticipation, had caused more vote, splitting in Mr Wright's quarters than amongst Mr Maslin's supporters. The deputy returning officer in charge of the polling was Mr Thomas Farley, Tiuwald, and Mr Wm. Henry Low was poll clerk. The scrutineers were Messrs J. Gore and T. Heriihy. When closing the doors the deputy returning officer thanked the public for the very orderly way hi which the election had been conducted, and said that at all the polls he had been he had never seen such orderly proceedings. Mr Farley was quite justified in his re marks for both parties worked very friendly together, in fact, rendered each other mutual assistance at the gate iu ticking off the names of electors as they entered. The thanks of all concerned are due to the Rev. Mr Woodward and Mr R. H. Pearpoint for the trouble they went to in supplying each elector with his or her number, without which there would have been much delay, and it is hard to say whether those in charge would have got through with the polling in time. The Miinber of votes recorded at Geraldine was 475 and out of this there were 6 informal. The poll was declared at. eight o'clock, and there was great excitement centred round the post office as the results from other districts came in. Some egg-throwing was indulged in, and the constable had to "run in" one or two of the lads ao fault.

On Monday the following paragraph appeared in the Chilstchurch Press : " Two of the ' Liberal' candidates for the Rangitata seat came to high, words in the Ashburton Arc.-tde on Saturday afternoon. Both had been addressing a large meeting from the auctioneer's rostrum, and both deemed it expedient to give some ' personal' explanations, which explanations, however, could not possibly affect the government of the country. This led to very heated personalities, much to the ontertainment of the large assembly, and to the subsequent regret of the two political aspirants who lost control of their tempers." It is needless to say that the two Liberal candidates referred to were Mr W. S. Masliu and Mr R. M. Cuthbertson. Ou Monday afternoon handbills were distributed freely at Geraldine amongst Mr Maslin's supporters, giving Mr Cuthbertson's side of the story, and on the eve of the election, at the Volunteer Hall, Mr Cuthberson held forth on the matter before a large audience. Mr Cuthbertbou first of all made an attack on Mr Twoniey. His sore trouble was that the leading articles in this paper recognised Mr Maslin as the Government chosen Liberal candidate and left him (Mr Cuthbertson) out in the cold. He (Mr Cuthbertson) had been a Liberal all his life, and a student of Social Reform, and if it had not been for the ignorance of Mr Jeremiah Matthew Twomey the latter would have kuown it. He then .referred to Mr Twomey as a second Stead of The Review of Reviews, and continued his "personal abuse till he came to explain the alleged fracas between him and Mr Maslin at Ashburton. He threw all the blame of the affair on to Mr Maslin's shoulders and said that he (Mr Cuthbertson) was speaking to about 1000 people in the Arcade and Mr Maslin afterwards mounted the rostrum and commenced his attack. Mr Masliu hinted that Mr Cuthbertson was in financial difficulties, and that he had seen a letter from Mr Cuthbertson to a creditor asking time to pay an account. Ho (Mr Cuthbertson) admitted that he was a poor man, but this was no crime. By the timely aid of some Ashburton gentlemen Mr Maslin just escaped the crowd with a whole skin, while he (Mr Cuthbertson) was carried shoulder high. In reply to a question, Mr Cuthbertson said that fye had told Mr Maslin that he would explain the matter at Gertsldine that night, and challenged Mr Maslin to be present, but the latter tried to dissuade him from coming, and asked him to go somewjiere e}se, A deputation from Mr Maslin waited on him (Mr Cuthbertson) to apologise- Mr Cuthbertson, before closing, ridiculed a handbill which he said was distributed up north as a reference of character for Mr Maslin from his minister, the Rev. W. C. Woodward. He ajso asserted that Mr Masliu had not ♦■he slightest pUaiipe of being returned north of the Rangitata, because many iiud iM : »?4 Mm after the scene qu

Saturday. ■»• " i On Tuesday morning Mr Maslm s friends telegraphed at once to him what was taking place at Geraldine, and Mr Muslin took tho first train to Orari, arriving at the polling booth, Geraldine, about 2 o'clock.' He thereupon mounted a cart, and gave his side of the story. He said that not one of the handbills issued on Monday at Geraldine had been distributed north of the Rangitata, where tho true facts of the case were known. A report had been circulated up north that liswas proprietor of tho Club Hotel and in a large brewery. Without cousultirg him (Mr Maslin), a friend of his up north had written to the Rev. Woodward, Geraldine, asking for a letter to .clear Mr Masliu's character from

these damaging reports. This gentleman then got the letter printed and circulated, and this was the letter that Mr Cuthbertson made so much amusement out of on Monday night at Geraldine. On Saturday last at Ashburton it was announced that £Mr Maslin's character would be read at the Arcade. He did not go to hear his character read, but some friends afterwards urged him to go, and, on th 3 cry of " Maslin ! Maslin ! Maslin!" he ascended the rostrum after Mr Cuthbertson had finished speaking. He explained the circumstances under which Mr Woodward's letter was published, and said there was nothing in the letter of which he he needed to be ashamed. He gave his reasons for. stating that Mr Cuthbertson was run to split votes, the two gentlemen supporting him being one a supporter of Mr Wason's and the other a supporter of Mr Wright's. Mr Cuthbertson denied that he was paid, and he (Mr Maslin) then said that he was in possession of information to the contrary from a letter Mr Cuthbertson had written to someone, but as to the contents of the letter he (Mr Maslin) never said one word. As to being badly treated up north, he could truthfully say that he had never been better treated anywhere, and no one attempted to interfere with him in any way. He had the best meetings, bar none, in that part of the district, and spoke to a very orderly meeting in Greenstreet on Monday night. To show that every attempt had been made to prevent his return, Mr Maslin said that he hired the school house at Mount Somers for a Tuesday night. Mr Cuthbertson afterwards told him he could not get the school house on Tuesday. He took Mr Cuthbertson's word as a gentleman, and changed the night of meeting to Wednesday in his advertisement. He afterwards got a telegram that Mr Wright had engaged the schoolroom for Wednesday, and he (Mr Maslin) all along could have had Tuesday night. Amongst the crowd Mr Maslin denied that he had been challenged by Mr Cuthbertson to be present at hiß m eting at Geraldine on Monday night. Mr B. G. Wright put in an appearance at Geral line during the afternoon and left again in the evening. The following are delails of the polliug. Mr Maslin has a majority of 67.

The following is the result of the elections throughout the colony. G. signifies " Government supporter," O. " Opposition," and I " Independent." * signifies " Member of last Parliament." In several cases the returns are not all in, but those to come are small and will not affect the position of of the names at the top of the poll. For Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin cities the first three candidates are elected, all the other districts return only one member. From the list given it appears that of those elected 53 are Government supporters, 15 Opposition, and 2 Independent. Among the most notable defeats are the Hon. W. Rolleston, Scobie Mackenzie, 0. S. Fish, G. Fisher, A. E. G. •Rhodes and E. G. Wright. NORTH ISLAND.

The followiug list shows the constitution of the new House of Representatives : Ministerialists 53.—Houston, Lawry, Thompson, O'Rorke, McGuire, Willis, Stevens, Collins, Harris, Kelly, Graham, Buick, G. J. Smith, M'Lachlan, Flatman, Carnell, Hall, Hogg, E. M. Smith, o'Regan, R. M'Kenzie, Seddon, W. Hutchison, Earnshaw, Morrison, Pyke, Oarncross, Pirani, Stout, Tanker, Joyce, Montgomery, G. W. Russell, Reeves, M'Gowan, Cadman, Carroll, Guinness, Mills, Saunders, Maslin, Meredith, Buddo, Hall-Jones, Steward, Duncan, Pinkerton, J. M'Kenzie, Millar, M'Nab, Ward, Kelly, M'lntosh. Oppositionists (15). —Monk, Mitchelson, Crowther, Button, Lang, Captain Russell, Buchanan, G. Hutchison, Bell, Wilson, Duthie, Newman, Allen, T. Mackenzie, Fraser. Independents (2). —Grey, Green. . ,j. The following are the Temperance members :—Button, Monk, Stout, Bell, Carnell, Newman, Buick, Graham, Mills, Buddo, Joyce, Meredith, Tanner, HallJones, Russell, Smith, Saunders, Maslin, O'Regan, Morrison, Platman, Pinkerton, Earnshaw, Hutchison, Millar, M'Nab, Kelly, Houston, Guinness, M'Kenzie.

s <0 «5 £ « Courthouse, Temuka .. . 388 169—557 Drill Shed, .. 202 131—333 Waitohi I'Lt .. 51 74-125 Milford .. 43 26- 69 Winchester .. 49 90—139 Hilton .. 7590—165 Woodbmy Pleasant Point... .. 87 .. 147 52—139 187—334 Uave .. 42 48— 90 Albury Fairlie .. 41 .. 155 57— 98 133—288 Burke's Pass ... 9 31— 40 Tekapo Ferry ... Hakateramea Downs... 7 26— 33 10— 10 Opihi Riverbed Adair ... 30 46 27— 57 13— 59 Kingsdown Pareora 28 80 56— 84 67—147 St. Andrews , 95 57—152 Upper Otaio 17 33— 50 Grand Totals 1592 1377 2969

.5 CS 3 .00 CD -a o •9 Geralclino ... 239 143 86 1 Orari. 120 57 11 0 Tinwald 123 192 28 0 Hinds 53: 57 ?5 2 Wiuslow m 63 12 0 Rangitata ... 34 24 3 0 Mfc. isomers... 81 91 10 4 Woodbury ... 43 22 -1 » Qrari Bridge 19 5 5" 0 Riverslea 4 9 3 0 Lowcliff 15 24 0 0 Eangitata Station 20 35 2 0 Lismore 4 19 3 1 Wakanui . 15 53 10 0 Green street ... 24 16 15 0 Alford Forest GO 33 2 4 Westerfield ... 17 21 4 0 Water ton ... 89 88 26 4 Arundel 36 22 3 0 Scotsburn ... 52 31 3 0 ftuapuna 22 22 0 0 Ma;y field 20 34 0 0 Plemington ... 65 53 7 4 Totals 1181 1114 249 20

Bay of Islands— *R. M. Houston G 1408 J. Trounson I 1182 F. J. Dargaville ... G 399 Two small returns to come ; will not affect the result. Maksden— *R. Thompson G — Waitemata— R. Monk 0 — Eden— *E. Mitchelson 0 „» Auckland (three Members)— *Sir G. Grey G 6372 W. G. Crowther ... 0 4582 C. E. Button 0 4211 T. Tudehope • ... G 4145 *T. Thompson a3942 W. J. Napier G 3597 E. Withy I 2390 J. M. Shera G 793 S. Voile. I 501 T. Fernandez G 91 Manukau— Sir G.M. O'Rorke.. G 1129 W. F. Buckland 876 J. Muir ... 810 J. McMahon ... ... 4 Parnell— *F. Lawiy G 1801 W. S. Allen 0 1466 Thames— *J. M. McGowau ... G 1623 E. H. Taylor G 1336 One small return to come. Fkanklyn— - Major Harris G _ Waik:ato— *Hou. A.. J. Cadman G Bay op Plenty— *VV. Kelly G 1112 Col. Burton 0 923 Rev. Ohas. Gordon... G 552 G, V. Stewart I 116 T. M. Humphreys ... I 131 Waipa— F. W. Lang G — New Plymouth— *E. M. Smith G 1645 Col, Trimble 0 1245 R. Price I 163 Throe small returns to come, which cannot affect the result. EUMOJft'--*F. MtiGuire G 1285 B. C. Robins 0 1132 E. A. Allsworth G 189 PateA — *G. Hutchison 0 1640 W. Cowern G 945 One small return to come. Hawse's Bay-.^ W, 0, Reardon G 1236 * Captain Russell 0 1219 T. Tanner G 910 A later telegram states that Captain Russell was leading by 59 with one return, likely to increase his majority, yet to come. Napier— C. Carnell G 2114 *U, H f:\vau 0 1524

Waipawa— C. Hall G 2024 G. Huater 0 164G W. W. Carlyle I 322 Waiafu — *J. Carroll ... G 2109 C. A. DeLatour 1 1634 Rangitikei— J. Stevens G 1746 F. Lethbridge O 1724 The returns to come will increase the majority. Wanganui— *A.D. Willis G 1517 G. Carson ... 0 1374 A. Farsons ... G 359 Six returns still to come, which are not likely iu eiiect the result. Masterton— *A. W. Hogg G 1928 *J. G. Harkness 0 892 W. W. McArdle ... G 377 Twelve small returns to come, which will increase Hogg's majority. Wairarapa— *W. C. Buchanan ... 0 1886 — Fairbrother G 1116 C. Pownell G 647 Palmerston — F. Pirani G 1754 C. M. Snelson 0 1541 J. P. Leary I 390 Otaki— "' *J. G.Wilson 0 1337 D. Fraser G 1138 There is one return to come. Wellington City (three Members) — *Sir R. Stout... G 6200 H. D. Bell 0 5753 *J. Duthie 0 4822 T. K. Macdonald ... G 3842 F. H. Fraser G 3750 H. B. Vogel G 3374 *W. McLuun G 3457 *G. Fisher I 2379 T. l)wan G 1133 W. T. L. Travers ... 0 1039 Wellington Suburbs — *Dr Newman 0 1838 T. M. Wilford G 1715 MIDDLE ISLAND. Nelson City— J. Graham G 1289 R. Hursthouse 0 1011 J. Kerr G' 910 W. Lock G 75 Wairau — *T. L. Buick G 1436 W. Sinclair G 1137 J. Duncan I 614 Waimea Sounds — *C. H. Mills G 1032 H. Everest 1 703 Rev. J. C. Andrew... 0 269 One return to come cannot affect the j result. Westland — *Hon. R. J. Seddoa (unopposed) G | Grey— *A. R. Guinness G 2378 W. Nancarrow 0 694 Other returns cannot affect the result. | Inangahua— P. J. O'Regan G 1102 W. G. Collings G 880 K. H. J. Reeves G 832 There is only the Moonlight return to 1 come. Buller— R. M. McKenzie ... G 1395 *E. J. O'Connor ... G 1313 Christchurch (three Members) — | *W. P. Reeves G 5436 G. J. Smith... G 4510 W. W. Collins G 3850 *E. Sandford G 3590 Rev. J. O'B. Hoare G 3098 Rev. C. H. Bradbury G 2943 *R. M. Taylor G 2043 W. Hoban ... G 1975 M. Davie 0 1866 J. S. Evison... 0. 1753 Eden Geirge 0 1647 Lyttelton— *J. Joyce G 1895 E. Blake I 854 Douglass 40 Riccarton — G. W. Russell ' ... G 1517 W. Boag I 1411, Avon — *W. W. Tanner G 1717 G. Mclntyre I 1C66 J. L. Wilson 0 405 Elesmere — W. H. Montgomery G 1579 *W. Rolleston 0 1284 Ashley— *R. Meredith G 1668 D. D. MacFarlaue ... O 1078 Kaiapoi— D. Buddo G 1587 *R. Moore ... 0 1505 Selwyn— *A. Saunders G 1329 T. H. Anson 0 1103 Ashburton — J. McLachlan G 1110 J. C. Wason... 0 1079 G. O.Waby G 711 C. W. Purnell 0 542 'Rangitata— W, S. Maslin G 1181 *B. G. Wright 0 1114 R. M. Cuthbertson... I 249 I. R. C. C. Graham... G 20 Pareora — F. R. Flatman G 1592 *A. B. G. Rhodes ... 0 1377 TlMARU — *W. Hall Jones G 1914 E. G. Kerr G 1507 Waitaki— *W. J. Steward G 1811 Patterson 0 727 There are two small returns to come in. Oamaktt — *T. Duncan G 1608 P. B. Fraser 1 1193 D.Dunn G 252 Waihemo — *Bon. John McKenzie G 1884 *Scobie Mackenzie ... 0 1460 One return to come which cannot affect the result. Waikouaiti— J. Green I G. J. Bruce G A. Thompson G T. Smith I J. Green has a majority of 526 over Bruce, with three small returns to come. Port Chalmers— J.A.Millar G 1712 E. G. Allen G 1593 Dunedin City (three Members) — *D. Pinker ton G 6766 *W. Earnshaw G 6001 *W. Hutchison G 6766 *H. S. Fish I 5475 H. Gourlay G 4081 J. Gore I 3726 C. Baynes I 2282 D. Nicol I 406 Caversham— A. Morrison G 1335 W. Barron I 1199 G. Munro 0 ' 48 Taieki— *\V. Canicross G 1402 J. C. Buckiand „, 0 1328 Bruce— *J. Allen (returned unopposed) 0 CLUTnA— *Tho8. Mackenzie * 0 1970 J. Brugh G 1139 Txjamka— V. Pyke G 1227 C. C. Rawlins , 0 833 A, Fraser <u . G 076 a , iVJC. Bynw „. , 0 m

Wakatipu— W. Fraser ... ... 0 W. J. M. Larnach ... G J. O'Meara ... ... G Fraser has a majority of 325. Mat aura— R MciN'ab ... ... G 1325 *G. F. .Richardson ... 0 1211) Jas. Chri8tie... ... G 353 Inveroargill— *J. W. Kelly... J. Hatch ... G ... G 2422 118 L AWAE.UA— *Hon. J. G. Ward (returned unopposed) G Wallace— *J. Macintosh ... G 1453 H. Hirst ... 0 1144 Five returns to come. , cannot alter the result.