THE ELECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2991, 15 September 1891, Page 2

THE ELECTION.

.wonriiK l:.\M>l HATE. Whkn' it became known that the Hon. John Brvce had resigned his seat in tinHouse, Mr A. Clements, of Cambridge, interviewed Sir (I. M. O'Korko. at Te Aroha, and asked him to contest the electorate of Waikato. This Sir Maurice declined to do until Mr Bryce had refused to again stand for the seat. When Mr Bryce's refusal appeared in Thk Waikato TiMfson Saturday, Mr John Gwvnneth. of Cambridge, immediately wired the Knight asking if he would allow himself to be nominated, and Sir Maurice replied that he would if an inflneutially-signed rerpiisition was presented to him, asking him to do so. Mr Gwynneth immediately had a number of requisition sheets printed, and set about the task of getting them signed. In Cambridge he was very successful, considering there are so fow electors residing in the borough, for in two hours hn obtained tho signatures of 22 electors. The following is a copy of the requisition :—" Cambridge, Waikato. September, ISM. To Sir G. M. O'Rouke, Knt., Mount Smirt, Onehunga : Sir,—We, the undersigned electors of the Waikato electorate, being desirous of seeing you once more in the House of Representatives (where you sat fir 30 years without intermission, and have for so many years ' so ably fillod the Speakor's chair), request that yon will allow yourself to benominatod for the Waikato seat—now vacaut by the resignation of Mr John Bryce. We feel assured that had you been in your old position in the House, the causo of Mr Bryce's resignation would not have arisen. Hoping you will consent to this request, and, should you do so. we pledge ourselves to vote for you and to forward your election in every way in our power."—Copies of this have been forwarded to every part of the Waikato electoiata, and those who have the matter in hand have every confidence that they will be largely signed and that Sir M. O'Rorke will duly announce himself as a candidate. If Sir Maurice comes out, it will be as a thoroughly independent citndidate, not in any way pledged to support either the Government or the Opposition. Referring to this matter, our Cambridge reporter writes :— The prevailing opinion here is that if two such men as Sir Maurice OTlotke and Mr Edward Like contest the Waikato electorate, the Government will be certain to run a candidate, and with a fair chauce. of success, for although Sir Maurice is said to be an '• independent," he is looked upon by the majority of the electors as an Oppositionist. From conversations I havo had with electors in this neighbourhood, I am convinced he will receive a fair measure of support if he stands ; but one and all agree that his offer to contest the seat, providing Mr Bryce declined to stand, should have been mentioned at tho Ohaupo meeting, for there wore those present at that meeting who were fully aware of tho fact.