THE BYE-ELECTION.

Messrs G. J. Smith, Charles Taylor, and A. H. Turnbull have been nominated as candidates for the vacant Christchurch seat. Mr Smith's nominators were Messrs J. A. Flesher, T. E. Taylor, C. E. Salter, .and A. F. Carey. Mr Turnbull's nominators are Messrs T. Gapes and Talbot. Nominations closed at 5 o'clock last evening. The supplementary roll is now complete, and shows that the total number of electors qualified to vote at tbe coming bye-election is 17,268, which is 4083 less than at the last general election.

Mr G. J. Smith addressed the electors at the Selwyn street Schoolroom last night, Mr B. P. Man hi re, Mayor of Sydenham, being in the chair. Mr Smith referred to some ■correspondence in which he 'had' been accused of being an opponent of the Old Age Pension Bill. His remarks had been misinterpreted, as what he wanted to see was that every man and woman fulfilling the conditions of age, pension, and character should be able to draw the pension as a right, and not a,s a pauper's dole. Mr Smith answered a number of questions. Mr Eowe moved, and 1 Mr Wm. Hall seconded, a vote of thanks to Mt Smith for his able address and confidence in him as a fit and proper person to represent us in Parliament. The resolution was carried.

This evening Mr Smith will address a meeting of electors at the Public Library, Knight*s town.

Mr Charles Taylor addressed a meeting of tlie electors at the Knights town Library la-?fc night. An apology was received for the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, Mr Davey. Cr. Newton presided. There was a good attendance. Mr Taylor ,*?poke on the same lines as his previous address. At the close cf fhe address the following motion was moved and carried:—"That in the opinion of this meeting Mr Taylor is, from his long connection with labour organisation and the wants of the workers, eminently qualified to represent their interests and' the interests of this constituency in Parliament." Mr Taylor will address the electo-rs in the Cathedral Square on ■Saturday night, Addington on Monday, Waltham on Tuesday, Cathedral Square on Wednesday. Mr Turnbull addresses the electors at the Merivale Sohoolroom to-night. The Theatre Royal was well filled yesterday evening when Mr A. H. Turnbull delivered his town address. Mr H. Pearce, Mayor of Linwood, was in the chair. At the close of his address Mr Turnbull, in reply to questions, snid he was in favour of State coal mines. The reduction of the size of corn sacks was necessary in the interests of humanity. He would not subsidise a foreign line of mail steamers. He was not in favour of the old age pension being made universal. A vote of thanks, proposed by A. Kaye, and seconded by Mr T. Taylor was carried at the close of tlie meeting.