THE HUTT ELECTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 202, 4 July 1879, Page 2

THE HUTT ELECTION.

(From the New Zealand Times.) Yesterday was the day fixed for the election of a representative for the Hutt cotstituer.cy, this seat having been rendered vacant by the resignation of Sir William Fitzherbert. The polling places were the Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Taita, and Wainuiomata, the head quarters being at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Lower Hutt, where the returning officer, Mr E. Baker, presided, being assisted by Mr Power as poll-clerk, each candidate also having a scrutineer, The candidates were Messrs Henry Jackson and Thomas Mason, two gentlemen of almost identical political views, and each being well known to the electors. It was, to a certain extent, expected that the contest would be a keen one—at all events, by some of Mr Mason's friends—and the large majority which the successful candidate secured was consequently somewhat of n surprise to manv of that gentleman's supporters. The committee of Mr Jackson worked very hard in the interests of theiv candidate, and several vehicles were actively engaged during the day in conveying electors to the polling places, each vehicle bearing a flaming placards advising all and sundry to " vote for Jackson, the Liberal candidate." The posters were also displayed in shop windows, and promi- , nent places. Mr Mason's committee did not appear to work with such zeal, and no posters bearing the latter gentleman's name were to be seen. The polling commenced 9 a.m., and was kept up briskly throughout the day; a very large number of people giving their votes. ' The proceedings throughout were very orderly, but few cases of drunkenness coming under our notice, and nothing whatever approaching to rowdyism occur--1 ring ; there is, however nothing remarkable in this, Hutt elections being cele-

brated for the quiet manner in which they have been conducted. The special train which left town at noon took away a goodly number of voters residing in Wellington, anxious to record their votes for Mr Jackson. The poll closed at 4 o'clock, and no time was lost in making up the

returns, these being forwarded without delay to headquarters with the exception of those from the Upper Hutt, which—from causes explained in our local columns—were not recieved till 6 p.m. Thcoflicial state of the poll will be publicly declared by the Eeturing Officer at 4. 30 p. .111. to-morrow, meanwhile the supporters of Mr. Jackson will be glad to know that their candidate has been returned by a large majority, which we give below; These figures maybe affected to a slight extent by a more careful scrutiny, but of-course the result will not be altered :

Lower Hutt.. Upper Iliitt.. Tail a ... Wainuiomata Jackson, .. 125 .'. 42' „ 11. 5 Mnsc 45 13 18 8 Majority for Jack 183 son, 99. 84