THE ELECTIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3052, 24 November 1908, Page 5

THE ELECTIONS.

LOCAL OPTION POLL. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 23. The official count of the Wellington Licensing Poll was concluded tonight. The figures are: Continuance 7879 Reduction 8378 No-License 10,072 Valid votes 18,511 Informal 370 No proposal was acrried. It would have required 1035 more votes of the total of 18,511 to carry No-License. GISBORNE, November 23. . The official count gives Hon. J. Carroll ten votes short of an absolute majority, the figures being Carroll 3185 Darton 2062 Clayton 1454 Total valid votes 7001 The count in connection with the licensing poll has not yet been completed, but the deputies count gives continuance 3260 votes, reduction 2677, and No-License 3716. A rumour that an attempt is to be made to upset the Wellington South Local Option Poll on a technica point has gained wide currency. Thel gist of the story is that the new electoral boundaries have not been ga7etted. This is not so, however, the new boundaries were gazetted in, a special supplement on 7th Februarye 1907, and the official notice of th taking of the locil option poll ap peared in the Gazette of October 31st, 1908. Everybody appears to be engaged in the rumour manufacturing business at election times. In the case oi the Hutt local optio poll stories are also being circulated that the determination of the electors is to be upset because certain alleged irregularities are supposed to have taKen place in at ]?a§t one of the booths. Time alone can bring > confirmation or contradition to these stories. THE SECOND BALLOTS. THE EGMONT SEAT. By Telegraph —Presi Association. ELTHAM, November 23. The position in Egmont is that Mr Wilkinson, the defeated Oppositionist, is working for Mr Dive, and Mr Astbury, the defeated Government candidate advises his supporters to vote for Mr Wake. The feeling which existed between the followers of the candidates on same sides makes it Jess certain that the second ballot will resolve itself on party lines. THE HAWKE'S BAY SEAT. WAIPAWA, November 23. Sir William Russell addressed a large meeting' on Saturday nigbt. He made a vigorous attack on the Government's expenditure, and claimed that a strong Opposition was essential for the good of the country. He was constantly interrupted by what appeared to be an organised attempt on the part of several strangers. The bulk of the audience resented the interruptions and frequently applauded :h3 speaker as he scored off the interjections. He received a unanimous vote of thanks. Sir William allowed Mr Dillon the use of the hallafter he had spoken. Mr Dillon claimed he would get the bulk of the votes cast for the other candidates at the first ballot. He regretted the defeat fo Mr McNab, and said the defeat of other Ministers could be less loss. Messrs Simson, Jull and Clapham .spoke on Mr Dillon's behalf, and urged the electors to support the Liberal candidate. A vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Dillon was carried unanimously, with cheers for Mr Dillon. HASTINGS, November 23. Theie was a very large attendance in the Princess Theatre, Hastings, to-night, when political addresses were delivered by Sir Wm. Russell and Mr Massey. In the course of a criticism of the Government's policy and administration,'Mr Massey, who was well received, referred to the interview with Sir Joseph Ward, published in Napier, this afternoon, in reply to the Leader of the Opposition's speech at Wanganui on Saturday night. With regard to the Premier's statement that the Government had never attacked the freehold, Mr Massey referred to the Land Bill of 1906, and the setting aside of Crown Lands for endowment purposes. The second ballots in the Auckland district are at Waitemata, Ohinemuri, and Bay of Plenty. The two first named take place to-day, and the last named on Tuesday week. The final retuns for Waitemata give s Mr Phillips, Opposition, a majority of 909 over Mr Napier, Government, the respective figures being 2947 and 2038. The unplaced candidates polled 945 votes, Mr Wilding, Government, obtaining 673 and Mr Wake Independent 281. Mr Wake whilst standing as an Independent, has Government leanings, and thus if all the votes cast for himself and Mr Wilding were now given to Mr Napier, in accordance with party principles, the Government candidate would win by a small majority. This is what would happen if the second ballot in practice were the same thing as the second ballot in theory, remarks the Wellintgon "Post's" correspondent, but this election, amongst others, is likely to prove that the Government's latest legislative experiment will not fulfil all that has been expected of it. Ohinemuri seat will probably be retained by Mr Poland, Government, tne late member. He has a lead oe over 300 over the Opposition candif date (Mr Haselden, and he shouldsecure the largest proportion of the votes cast for the other three candidates. In the Bay of Plenty also thGovernment candidate, Mr Mac donald, with his lead of 445, should be able to more than hold his own in the second ballot with Mr Gow, Opposition. The third candidate, Mr Lundon, Independent, polled 901 votes, and the largest share of these should now go to Mr Macdonald. In this widely scattered district, however, a large number of electors, oth Government and Opposition

supporters, who voted last Tuesday' will probably not go to the poll again, Excitement over the second ballot is running very high in Palmerston North. While the candidates themselves are not very energetic their supporters are infusing great enthusiasm into the contest. The Government party has the best canvassers out making a door to door pilgrimage, and the "spoils to the victors" argument is being used for all it is worth. It is openly stated in the press and in public that unless the Ministerial candidate is elected Palmerston North stands a chance ot losing the dairy school, and also of being side-tiacked off, the Main Trunk line by the construction of the Levin-Greatford railway. In Manawatu there are few new developments. The official declaration shows Mr Newman, Oppositon, to be only 130 votes short of an absolute majority, and it is expected that he will easily secure these from the 600 votes of the eliminated candidates.