WELLINGTON CENTRAL

MR. FISHER DEFEATED. R. Fletcher (L.) 4910 *F. M. B. Fisher (R.) 2677 Majority 2233 Probably the greatest surprise of yesterday's battle was the reverse sustained by the Hon. F M. B. Fisher. His opponents had confidently predicted his defeat, but even the most sanguine of them could hardly have anticipated such a decisive win for the Opposition candidate, Mi*. R. Fletcher. The Government supporters were quietly confident, for they were firmly convinced that tho rowdy hostility manifested at some of Mr. Fisher's meetings only emanated from a minor section of the electors. His crowning triumph in the Town Hall on the eve of the election rendered them all the more confident, and many of Mr. Fletcher's supporters began to grow apprehensive of their nominee's chances of success. On all hands, however, it was thought that whichever way the tide of battle swayed, the contest would be a close one. The first return to come in at 7.30 p.m. gave the people an inkling of what to expect. At a small polling place — Wesley Church School — Mr. Fletcher had established a lead of 53. A few moments later one of tho booth returns from the principal polling place (the Palais de Danse) was" announced, showing that the Opposition candidate had considerably increased his lead. Then it was that the waiting public began to realise that unless almost a miracle happened^ Mr. Fisher's chances were vanishing into thin air. Result after result was posted, and every time Mr. Fletcher showed a substantial majority. With half of the results in, Mr. Fletcher was "winning as he pleased" (to use the sporting phrase), with 1500 votes to the good. Then there could be no doubt that not only was Mr. Fisher defeated, but what was practically a rout had taken place. The surprise and disappointment of his supporters turned to consternation,_ while his opponents grew correspondingly elated. t It was almost inconceivable that a Minister of the Crown should be so overwhelmingly defeated, but facts are stubborn things, and the incredulous ones had no alternative but to accept the figures placed before them. Mr. Fletcher had polled nearly two votes to every one recorded for Mr. Fisher. The returns came in promptly, and in this connection the warmest praise is due to Mr G. G. Hodgkins, the Returning Officer for the electorate, and his assistant, Mr. Macdonald, for the excellent arrangements made. By 8 o'clock nine returns had been sent in, but one small return failed to come to hand until an hour and twenty minutes later, which unfortunately greatly delayed the compilation of the complete returns. The detailed figures are :—: — Fisher. Fletcher. Palais de Danse (principal) 556 1769 Alexandra Hall ... 495 545 Willis-street Schoolroom 430 483 St. Peter's Schoolroom 416 502 Wesley Schoolroom ... 93 146 Reehabite Chambers ... 160 417 Aro-street Mission Hall 170 345 Congregational Schoolroom, Courtenay-pl. 147 255 Tory-street Mission Hall 77 225 Drill Hall, Buckle-st. 133 223 Totals 2677 4910 The voting at the last election was :—: — First Second Ballot. Ballot. Fisher (R.) 2987 3813 Fletcher (L.) 2983 3682 Young (Lab.) ... .... 1372 Freeman (S.) 180 Reform majority . . 131