Mayoralty Election.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3054, 28 November 1878, Page 2

Mayoralty Election.

After we went to press yesterday the excitement attendant on the election considerably inc*'eas:d, a large body of mint a and working men rolling up between four and five o'clock, anu there was a perfect crowd round the polling booths. In several cases a little feoling wt-s shown, and there were one or two scrimmages between supporters of the iwo candidates, " brudder . workmen Hart" being particularly noisy. At about five o'clock 528 to; s had been recorded; it being the general impression that the major'ty so far were for Mr McGullough. A few of the Doctor's supporter!, however, were, or pretended to be, confident of victory. At this time however, several cab loads of Mr McCullough's supporters arrived from Sbortland and Tararu, and the crowd of those anxious to record their voics completely blocked the door of the booth and the police had to clear a passage. About 20 minuica past five there was a large number ot electors in the booth aid a great crowd outside clamorous ;'o wet in, the police having considerable diincuLy o restrain the impatience the " free and independent;" and at this po: nt the Ketuung Officer ordered the door to be closed. The excitement outside was intense, the crowd becoming angry, and as many of them foolishly called it a "move of the Doctor's, there was a good de:l of rowdyism, but no damage was done with the exception of the smashing of a pane of gla^. The following is the clause of the Act ~n which Mr Davies closed the door:—" If • the proceedings are interrupted or obstructed at any polling booth by riot or violenca, the Keiuraing Office? may adjourn the polling at such booth to the day following, and if necessary may to adjourn the polling irom day to day till the riot ceases, when he shall again proceed therewith." The ballot box was sealed aid depooited in the Sank of New Zealand, and the proceedings terminated. ,The .Returning Officer telegraphed to the Attorney General, stating the circumstances, and asking his interpretation of the clause, to which aa answer was received last night to the , effect that Mr Davies had acted correctly, and consequently the poll will be re-opened from 5.25 to 6 o'clock this afternoon. After the closing of «,he poll a large number of persons waited about for upwards of an hour, but the crowd then gradually dispersed. Capt. Skeen, and Mr F. £>. G. Woodward act 1 as poll clerks; Mr Melhose was scrutineer for Mr McCullough, and Mr Crick for Dr Kilgour. ;