WELLINGTON CONTESTS.

A LAST-MINUTE SURVEY.

COALITION CONSOLIDATED. KEEN FIGHT FOR HUTT SEAT. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON/. Sunday. With two days' campaigning to go the opinion of the various electorates may be said to have been formed, and it is possible to gauge the chances of the candidates, although speculation must be made with due allowance for the large silent vote cast at every election.

This year the silent, vote gives promise of being unusually large, for, from what can be gathered, the great body of electors appear to be convinced that, a return to stability is the first essential in overcoming the depression. It. is this section from which comparatively little has been heard, but the 'fact remains that it exists and that it will do much to sway the voting on Wednesday.

There is no doubt, that the position of the Coalition has been consolidated throughout the Wellington districts during the past few days, and the appearance of the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, in the Hutt and Otaki electorates will do much to energise the antiSocialist forces there.

One of the most interesting contests in Wellington will be fought at the Hutt between Mr. J. Kerr, Coalition, and Mr. VV. Nash, Labour, and it seems as if the former will run Mr. Nash very close, probably capturing the seat from him. A great deal of interest also centres upon Wairarapa, where Mr. T. W. McDonald, official Coalition candidate, is opposed by Mr. A. I). McLeod, Independent Reform. This campaign has been lull of personalities, chiefly forced by Mr. McDonald, who has questioned his opponent's right to stand. That. Mr. McLeod has this right is not seriously disputed, for there is no vote-splitting with Labour and either candidate will support the Coalition, so that there is no reason why both parties should not contest the seat. For various reasons Mr. McDonald has lost a lot of ground during the last few days, and Mr. McLeod's chances are not unfavourable. The Coalition candidates will have a hard job to displace Labour in the Wellington City seats, although the rural seats surrounding the city are considered safe for the sitting members. Wellington Central will probably be retained by Mr. P. Fraser, Labour, who has three opponents. In Wellington East Mr. T. Forsyth, Coalition, and Mr. R. Semple, Labour, have a straight-out fight, and the issue will be in doubt until the last, although Mr. Semple's chances are good. Mr. C. H. Chapman, Labour, will probably retain Wellington North owing to vote-splitting by Sir John Luke, Independent, although there might be a determined effort to get him to withdraw at the last minute. If that proves successful, Mr. G. A. Troup. Coalition, may have a chance.

Mr. R. A. Wright, Coalition, seems safe in Wellington Suburbs. There will be a keen fight between Mr. W. Appleton, Coalition, and Mr. R. McKeen, Labour, in Wellington South, where personalities have also obtruded to a great extent.

A last-minute survey indicates that Labour might lost one, and possibly two seats in and around Wellington.

PROSPECTS IN TARANAKI.

KEEN FIGHT FOR STRATFORD. MR. POLSON'S THREE RIVALS. [bv telegraph.—own correspondent.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday. Keen interest has been taken in the election campaign in Taranaki. All the meetings have been well attended and the candidates have covered their large electorates well by addressing two or three meetings in one day. With the withdrawal of the selected •Reform candidate for New Plymouth, the return of Mi-. S. G. Smith, Coalition, was considered a certainty, as, at the last election, Labour polled one one-eighth of the total Reform and United votes. The Labour candidate, Mr. W. A. Sheat, has conducted a vigorous campaign on this occasion, and it is likely that the Labour vote will bo increased. Given solid Reform support, however, Mr. Smith should win easily. The Stratford contest is the most interesting in the province. Mr. W. J. Poison, who carries the Coalition endorsement, lias Reform, Independent and Labour opponents, and he may be unseated. Mr. «J. W. McMillan, the Roform candidate, is popular and is certain to poll well. Mr. N. H. Moss, Independent, is a young man "with a good platform manner, and he has gained support with the progress of the campaign. His supporters are very confident. Mr. C. Croall is the first Labour candidate to contest the seat and is looked upon as the outsider of the field. Solid country support will be necessary for the return of Mr. Poison. Mr. F. Gawith, Coalition Reform, has conducted a vigorous campaign for the Egmont seat, but he has a difficult task in unseating Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, Independent, who is very popular in the Eltham end of the electorate. Mr. H. G. Dickie, Coalition Reform, should have nn difficulty in holding the Pa tea scat against Mr. W. G. Simpson, Labour, whose last-minute nomination came as a, surprise.

MR. MUNN'S ACTIVITIES. OPEN-AIR MEETINGS. Two well-attended open-air meetings were held on Saturday evening by Mr. G. C. Munns, Coalition candidate for Ros- ■ kill. Speaking in Owairaka Avenue at 7, and later at the Sfindringham terminus, Mr. Munns reviewed the work he had carried out for the electorate and the policy of the Coalition Government. Mr. Munns was subjected to a certain amount of good-humoured interjection. At tho close of both meetings lie was accorded unanimous votes of thanks.