THE HUTT ELECTION.

«. The Hutt polling took place yesterday; and i resulted in the greatest surprise which has occurred during the present elections. readers are well aware under what circumstances Mr. Jackson was elected last session, and by what a large majority (99) he defeated Mr Masou on that occasion. Few, then, were prepared for the tremendous change of opinion, in the constituency which was iudicated by the result of yesterday's votiog. Both candidates bad used their ben efforts to secure the suffrages of tha electors.' At'firW Mr. Jackson was decidedly tbe favorite, and not a few did not hesitate to express their opinion tbat Mr. Mason was foolish in coming forward again so soon after such, a decisive beating. As the time drew nearer public opinion underwent a change, and although the former member was still tbe favorite, it was considered certain' that Mr. Mason wouMpoll a great many more votes than he did last time. Tbe polling-places were — Tbe Lower Hutt, T*ita, the Upper Hutt, and Wainuiomata. For the convenience of town voters n special train was run out to the Hutt at nooa, and conveyed a large number of tho supßorters of both candidates. Great excitement provallel ia the ordinarily quiet township of the Lower Hutt, and Valentiue's Hotel, which was tue principal centre of attraction, was crowded sll day. Cabs and other vehicles, decoratdd in the Usual election manner, rattled along the road*, and puste's on the walls uttered their silent but persistent adu onitions to '• Vote for Jack'sbn," or to •• Vote for Mason." As the polling .continued the excitement gradually became greater, and when the hour of closing arrived no one could with any degree of confidence foreshadow tbe result. Tbe return for the Lower Hutt was made known by Mr. James, the Returning Officer, fifteen uinutes after the Tpoll closed, ami when it was seen tbat Mr. Maß»n was only 9 votes behind his parti«aus were jubilant, as it was expected he would poll a majority et both Taita and Wainul-o-raata. How these expectations were realised will be seen by the complete returns, which were all received by half-past five o'clock :•—,

Majority for Mr. Mason, 27. The result was rcceivd with loud cbeeeing by the partisans of the successful candidate, while tbe friends of Mr. Jackson seemed quite ti understruck. - Tbe official declaration will take pla -c to-morrow. The r«tun s wete received at the office of the Evening Post by urgent telegram, and immediately posted up, causing a good deal of excitement in town. It may be interesting to mention that at the last election 267 electors polled, a« against 307 y< sterday, showing an increase of 40jr*sterdny. The actual numbers poled at the previous election wire— Jackson, 183; Mason, 84.

Lower Hutt ... Upper Hutt ... Taita Wainui-o-mtta Algson ... 84 ... 35 ... 31 ... 17 Jarksoi ... 93 ... 46 ... 2 ... 0 Total ... 107 ... 140