CHRISTCHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3345, 11 September 1879, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Last night. The Christchurcli Election.'; Return of SirfGeorge G-rey and Andrews.

Business seemed to bo entirely suspended throughout tJu City today, and general interest to be devoted to matters electioneering. Cabs were flying about In all directions, indicating the direction, from different points of view, \of how electors ought to rote. For the the greater part of the day a large number of persons assembled in front of the Oddfellows' Hall, the principal polling place, and on the committee rooms of the various candidates, which were contiguous to the hall, some amusing cartoons were posted on the windows of the rooms, aud over the, one occupied by the Liberal Committee, was a large oil painting of Sir George administering a knock down blow to Sir Wm. Fox, which originally came out in the Wellington Punch. The various hoardings and fenpes in the main street were also liberally billed with those cartoons. In the Oddfellows' Hall there were four tables, at which various scrutineers were seated, the letters of the alphabet being divided between the four tables, aud as these divisions were conspicuously posted over each table very little time was lost in obtaining a ballot paper. The pencils placed in the erasing compartment were, however, common red, with/ the lead as hard as a brick. "Scratch I they would not. Mark J they would not, and the exercise of the,greatest patience, and any amount pf wetting; were required to allow it to bo seen liow the electors desired to vote. This delay lost all the time gained by the arrangement of the scrutineers* table, and the officials, whoever they may be, who obtained such pencils to obliterate printers' ink had a very poor notion of what was required for the purpose. Having to use these pencils jyiJJ certainly cause the ballot papers to

lie scrutinised with exceptional care. Though a great deal oi" friendly chaff' was indulged in during the duy thero was an entire absence of rowdyism. The excitement was intense as 4 o'clock approached. The rowdy portion of the mob began to develope their mischevous propensities. | Flour bags showered their contents in all | directions, the police being specially favored. I his led to reprisals on their part, and a large number of offenders wero arrested and taken to the depot accompanied by a howling mob. The constables were in strong force and had their batons iv their hand. After dark crackers were freely used a<id caused more riot, and the mob still increasing tho police had all they could do to keep a small pathway clear in the middle of the street for vehicles. It was half past seven before the poll was declared, and then at least 2000 people were in front of the hall. The followng wero the numbers :— Grey 1315 . Andrews 1250 Stevens ... ... ... 1250 Biskardson 1227 Treadwell... ... ... 548 The noise was tremendous, cheering nnd calls of all kinds interrupting each declaration, and cries were raised of " To Goker's Hotel," where Sir George was staying. When tho^mob had gone a'sbort distance, shouts of "its only a ruse" were raised, and most returned and a few hundreds, however, kept on, and Grey addressed them from the window of the Hotel. The official declaration of the poll will be made today. It is not likely that tho numbers will be altered. The result ia a severe blow to the Conservative party, who were certain of returning their two men, nor did they expect Grey would beat Andrews, as in consequence of his being a working man, and a Good Templar, he was expected by many &yen of the Liberal side to beat Grey. Rowdyism after the Election. After the declaration of the poll the crowd as mentioned before still remained in front of the Oddfellows' Hall, and when the doors were opened for the Opera performance they rushed in and completely filled it. After 3orae trouble the Hall was cleared by the police, and some of the mob commenced throwing stones. A sort of rough and tumble fight then ensued, thirty-three policemen being engaged in it. They succeeded at last in getting the crowd away from the Hall, and then marched along High street till they reached a clear space near the White Hart Hotel. Here where they were drawn up in line they presented a peculiar appearance. They were perfectly covered with flour from head, to foot. Another crowd immediately gathered, and began hooting the police,- until they arrested some of the mob. Thi? .was the signal for another onslaught"",'and •shower of stones, which broke two panes of plate glass, worth £50, in Lewis' fruit shop, and did no harm to the police. More than s^lpien people are inmates of the lock-up tonight on^various charges;,and sthe streets were c'roWdea to a late hour by excited knots of people.

This morning a bird belonging to Mr Ernshaw flew from Duoedin to Christchurch in five hours and one minute. Biccardi's benefit at tjie Oddfellows'; Hall to night attracted the'largest house of the coniio opera season. Owing to. constant political meetings and election excitement the last week has not l|een; very favorable to the theatre. , V ' Wybert lleeve is not doing particularly well, and the Chaplin-Osborne Company, who intended to stay three weeks, were fairly frightened away by a week of miserable business.