REEFTON.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4482, 17 May 1883, Page 2

REEFTON.

Yesterday. Mr Wakefield was entertained at a banquet last night, when about 170 were present at a very successful gathering. Mr W. H. Jones, solicitor, presided ; ?ice, J. Q. Caples (ex-County Chairman). In proposing the toast of the evening, the Chairman said that, though defeated, Mr Wakefield had secured a larger number of votes than any other successful candid date in the colooy, except Mr Shaw, and, considering the extraordinary Govern-, ment and County Council influence brought to bear against him, bis position at the poll was in the highest degree honourable to the candidate and the electors who supported him, and should another opportunity arise Mr Wakefield would be again invited to contest the seat. Profiting by the experience of the last contest such steps would be taken as would secure his return by a triumphant majority.—Mr Wakefield, in replying, said the result, considering the character of the oppositionists, and the fact that he was a comparative stranger to the electors, was the highest compliment ever paid to a public man in the colony. Should an opportunity again occur, and the people desired it, he should feel ready again to come forward. His visit to the West Coast was an epoch in his lifetime, and the reception he had met with and the support accorded to him would never be forgotten.

Mr Shaw is to be banquetted to-night by his supporters. The electioneering excitement is now subsiding.