The General Elections.

* Subjoined we publish a return of the polling throughout the colony co far as it has como to hand. On this occasion it is not possible to follow the usual practice of stating the political opinions of the candidates, so many favoring combinations of parties and leaders hitherto unheard of. The returns, it will be seen, are not complete, but the positions of the leading car.didates are not Hkely to be assailed by anything that is to come from outlying districts : — AUCKLAND. CONSTITUENCY. CANDIDATES. POLLED Bay of Islands ... F. Hobbs>* 342 Gannoa 183 McKenzie ... ... 78 Marsden jj. ftlitcbeltoa* ... f Rodney! ... Most 887 N,Wilion m

WaUemataj ... Hurst* ... .;. 620 Faanall 157 Auckland North T.Thompson ... 746 W. Newman ... 196 Auckland West... J. M. Dargaville*... 446 W. Swansqn ' ... 394 Auckland 8. ... Sir Geo. Grey* ... f Newton T. Peacock* ... 932 De Lautonr* .. 6-7 Gariard ... ... 2 PaTnell ...' ... MosV* 522 " 8. George* 414 -Fitzgerald... ... 0 Eden ... ... J A. To.«* ... 628 O'Neill ... ... 212 MamKau ;.. Sir G. M. O'Rorke* 540 Lawry ... ... 406 l-'.auklynN.J ... W. F Backi-.nd ...'484 Major Harris,* ... 408 Franklynß. ... E. Hamlin* ... f ('oomrindelj ... J. Cadmnn* ... 461 — Brodie 347 Thames — Fraser 475 J.Speight 468 Waikato J. B Whyte* .. f •Vaipa 12. Lake ... ... 559 Major Ja kaon ... 431 TaurangaJ ... — Morris ... 472 W. Kelly 416 EastCoastJ ... E.S. Locke* ... 603 W. L. ltees ... 443 HAWKKS BAY. Hawkes BayJ ... Capf. Russell ... 605 F. Sutton* ... 357 A. Desmond ... 157 Napier J. D. Ormond ... 597 J. Sheebau* ... 495 Waipatva ... W. <J. Smith* ... 768 T. Tanner... ... 479 TABANaKI. New Plymouth ... O.Samuel 243 B. M. South ... 172 T Kelly 138 0. Brown „. ... 82 Taranaki ... Col. Trimble* ... 371 T. Bayley 276 J. Colesley . ... 8 Kgmont Major Audnson* ... 876 A. Fantham ... 403 WELLINGTON. Bangitikei ... — Bruce 596 — Stevens 493 Fo tonj ... J. G. Wilson* ... 605 (J. B. Ifcard ... 57)3 J. U.Browne ... 176 ManawatnJ ... Me Arthur 1058 Fiaser 437 Barr 8 Waitotara J. Bryce* 440 — McDonnell ... 2m Wanganui ... J. B;il!aice ... 541 — Hutchison ... 204 W. Watt* 154 Hutt ... Sir W. Fitaherbert 550 T. Mason 379 Wairarapa North J G. Beetham* ... 482 — McCardle ... 441 Wairarapa South W O. Buchanan*... 566 H. Bunny 504 Thorndoa ... Dt Newman* ... f TeAro C.J.Johnston* ... 343 F. H, Fraser ... 332 E. Shaw 129 J. H. Shaw ... 71 J. O'Shea 34 Wellington Sou'h G. Fisher 717 W. Hutchison* ... 477 NELSON. Nelson H. A. Levestam* ... 579 — Piper ... ... 207. Motuekat .. — Hursthouse* ... 367 — Kerr 356 Waimea J. Shephard* ... 358 Wastney 210 Bullert E. O'Connor ... 584 Munro* 534 InangabuaJ ... R. J. H. Reeves ... 693 — Monteith ... 473 MARLBOLOOGH. Wairaut H. Dodson* ... 586 — Ward 362 Pictont K. T. Conolly* ... 339 W. H. Byes ... 24v WESTf.AND. Kumaral ... E.J. Seddon* ... 669 — Blake 494 HokitikaJ ... G.S.Fitzgerald* ... 583 Bevan ... ... 561 Clark 45 Greymoutbt ... H. Guinness ... 686 J. P. Petrie* ... 512 CANTERBURY. Ashley W.F.Pearson* ... 413 Duncan Sb Cheviot^ Gibson 2«0 Lance 258 Adams 11l Kaiapoi E. Biehardson* ... f Avon — Harper ... 403 — Dunlop ... 320 — Williams ... 0 St. Albans ... F. J. Garrick ... 396 JO3. Jebson ... 79 T. iJooper 2 Stanmore ... — Reese 521 — Ruddenkiitu ... 435 G. Dorney 149 W. H. Pilliet* ... 47 O. Wansey ... 19 Sydenbam ... W. Wbitt* ... 776 _ Scott 462 Christchurch North Sir J. Yogel ... 930 — Crewes 233 Ohriitchurch South J. Holms* 638 Joynt 6 0 Fleatbcote ... J L. Coster ... 445 Wynn-William6*... 245 — Fisher ... 15 Lyttelton H. Allwrighi* ... 335 8. R. Webb ... 288 — (Jlissold ... 71 Akaroa W. Montgomery*... 435 — Ansou ... 140 Lincoln A. P. O'Callaghan* 260 — Saunderß ... 263 Selwyn ... E. Wakefield* ... f Coleridge ... McMillan 310 Jebson 162 roswell 79 Fraser 33 Ashbmtoo, ... Walker ... ... 296 J. C. Wason ... 192 Jolly 17 Graham 0 Wakanui ... J. B. Grigg ... 454 J. Ivss ... 400 McGuire 2 Geraldine ... W, Rolleston* ... 473 .A, Oox 403 F. Franks 20 Timaru R. Turnbuli* ... 490 E. G. Kerr ... 331 Gladstone ... Capt. Sutter* ... 282 — Anderson ... 134 — Twomey ... 129 — Morris 5 WaimateJ W. J. Steward* ... 5C6 A. Hayes ... ... 153 W. J. Black ... 11 OTAGO. r Waitaki A. Duncan* ... 363 Fearns 213 Sutherland ... 196 Oamaru S. F. Shrimski* ... 483 Loxd Reidhaven ... 391 Menaki J. McKeDzie* ... 3«y C. Hay Des ... 273 WaikouaitiJ ... — Buckland ... 283 J. Greet,* 222 — Arkle 213 Port Chalmers ... Jas. Macandrew*... f JRo3lya J. H. Roes 483 J. Bathgate* ... 406 Dunedin West ... W. D. Stewart ... 508 T.Dick* 481 Dunedin East ... R. Stout 755 M. W. Green* ... 515 Dunedin Central J. B. Bradsfhaw ... 499 T. Bracken* ... 496 J. G. S. Grant ... 1 Dunedin South ... J. Gore 451 H. 8. Fish, junr.*... 435 Peninsula ... W. J. M. Laraach* 658 — Hodge 352 —Wells 14 C'aversham ... W. Bar^n* ... f Taieri ... ... J. Fultou* ... 363 Cairncross ... 277 Wat hen 45 Mount IctoJ ... Mackenzie* ... 363 Ewinsr 268 Dunstin ... V, Pyke* ... f Bruce ... R. Gillies ... 573 H. Driver* ... 368 j J. McDonald* ... 234 I Tuapeka ... J. O. Brown* ... 566 Oudaille 1 32 Clutba J. W. Thomson* ... f Wakatiput .„ T. Fergub* ... 673 J; T. M. Hornby.., 282 9.», Brawn «n 133 <

SOUTHEIND.' '.'" MatauraJ ... G. .F. Bichardson... 448 F. W. Mackenzie* 232 AwaruaJ... ..; . J P. Joyce* ... 393 J. L. McDonald ... 311 A. Kinross ... 73 J. W. Mitchell .;. 67: . T. Hoigkinson ... 54 Invercargill ... J.Hitob ... ... 592 H. tfeldwiok* ... 435 G. Lnmaden ... 163 HokonaiJ ... C. Cowan ... 496 F. 8. Canning ... 270 J. Hobbs ... ... 47 T.J. Lumsden ... 4 Wallace* ... H. Hirst ... ... 405 S.Hodgkinson ... 363 T. Diniel* „. 267 M. Hayes ... . ... 32 MAORI DISTaIOTS. North Maori Ihaka Hakenene... 363 Hiiini Taiwhanga 316 Ramera Wharerau 75 Raipangmui ... 10 West Maori — Ee turns not in. Eist Maori J Ringipuaobe ... 482 Henare Totnoana...* 479 James Carroll ... 461 Wi Peri ... 432 Tapihnna ... 330 Taiwhanga ... 163 Bouth Maori— Returns not ia. * Sat in last Parliament. f Returned without Opposition. X Complete returns not to hand. THK INVEBOARGILL CONTEST. A very keen interest was taken in the election for the town. During th« early part of the day little excitement was outwardly apparent, but even th^n the greater p-irt of our citizens ta'keii of scarcely anything else than the reapet tive merits of the candidates and their individual chances of success. As the afternoon wore on the interest increased, crowds collected round the principal polling place, and little knots of electors dotted the ttreets, each earnestly discussing the day's proceedings, and speculating as to the result. The contest was expected to be particularly close between two of the candidates, and therefore the energetic committees were working hard, using every possible effort to ensure victory. Thus the fight went on, the utmost good humor and courtesy prevailing between the rival candidates and their supporters until the closing of the poll at 6 p.m. For the last hour the rush of electors was greater than at any other period during the day. The public were saved a great deal of inconvenience by the Returning Officer's announcement that he would declare the poll at 7.30 p.m. Half an hour previous to the appointed time a large crowd had assembled in front of the Courthouse, where the hustings, surmounted by an illuminated device consistibg of the Jeters "V.R.," had boeti erected . Punctually at the hour, there being by that time nearly 1500 people present, the Returning Officer appeared on the hustings and announced the result of the poll to be as follows:— Hatch, 592; Feldwick, 435 ; Lumsden, 163. The announcement was received with long continued cheering, mingled with voices of a different nature. Mr Hatch on coming forward was received with a Btorca of cheers. He aaid he had that evening to acknowledge the greatest honor that had ever fallen to the lot of any man in Invercargill. — (loud cheers.) He had had great opposition, but the voice of the people had put him at the top of the poll by a majority of 157 (cheers), in that way declaring that the present system of education should not be trifled with. That would be a dearly bought lesson to the gentleman who had previously represented the town. Mr Feldwick would now have an opportunity of doing what he did after he was defeated by Mr Bain, he could retire to his com-mittee-room and weep. He assured the electors he would endeavor to do his duty, and to show them that the accusations brought againt him by his opponents were utterly groundless. — (Cheers). Mr FeMwick was also greeted with cheers. He said he hud been defeated before and had won before, but when he won he never attempted to " cock-a-doodle-doo "over his opponents. (Cheers.) He had that day hud a heart for any fate — was prepared to win or to lose. On a former occasion he had been defeated, an j for a time the town was represented by another gentleman ; but afterwards the electors again required his services, which he placed at their disposal. At some future time he would probably be again wanted, and he would cu.ue forward. He thanked his supporters, especially those who had come long distances to vote for him. The election had been carried on in a good spirit between the candidates and their committees. (Cheers.) Mr Luiueden, who was loudly cheered and was accorded a patient and respectful hearing, said that 163 electors of Invercargill had votedon principle, and that was something. A great many of his original supporters had found it convenient to ignore their principles 'for the sake of expediency. That day was, however, the beginning of the formation of a Protestant political union. By Protestantism in this connection he meant that whiuh asserted a state of secular government which would not take under its wing any religious denomination. They could congratulate themselves upon having pl*ed their feet on the first rung otMthe political ladder, and, however low that rung might be, they would yet reach the top. He thanked those who had voted for him ; he would not express an opinion on • those who bad deserted their principles. He thanked Messrs Hatch and Feldwick for the courtesy with which they had treated him, and concluded by proposing a vote of thanks to the Returning Offiuer. Mr Hatch seconded the motion, and it was carried by acclamation, The Returning Officer announced that the formal declaration of the poll would be made on Friday. It will be seen that out of the 1900 odd electors on the roll, 1190 voter!. At last election there were nearly 1800 electors, and 1155 votes were recorded. Tue following is an analysis of the voting: — Hatch. Feldwick. Lumsden. Invercargill ... 515 334 151 Bast Invercargill 26 41 6 Gladstone ... 28 15 3 North Invercargill 23 45 3 592 436 163 AWAROA. A"s this electorate covers a large area, any excitement in connection with a contest is not centralised, and therefore scarcely noticeable. The returns to hand point to the fact that Mr Joyce's election is certain, but his majority will be much smaller thun at. last election. The following are the returns : — o S" . I • I 3 M Sg. c .- .9 f £sa m w Appleby 176 130 34 9 8 Clifton 35 9 0 3 17 Campbelltown ... 38 ] 9 5 0 2 Olatara 5 4 2 0 5 Wa kiwi Bush ... 37 ?3 9 2 5 Waikiwi School ... 37 19 1 2 14 Wallacetown ... 7 16 0 4 0 Waianiwa ... ... 5 33 6 4 0 Roslyn Bush 9 3 0 12 0 Long Bush 7 20 O n o Woodlands 13 11 2 18 1 Oteramika 5 8 6 14 1 Richmo d Gruve ... 19 16 2 5 1 Totals to hand ... 393 311 67 73 54 The returns for Stewart Island, Grove Bush, Mabel, and One Tree Point have yet to come in. MATADRA. The positions of the candidates for this electorate hare been rop^t; dleeidsdly re-

versed as compared with their previous hand^l FoUowin e a ™ tte resulti* to '■,« , Richardson. Mackenzie, ; . Hast Gore ... 34 - lo Glenkenich... i / 22 Pukerau ... ir a , O^ria I/.. 3 ■ g • Ghatton ... 16 I Knaptiale • ... ft) 26 Pinnacle ... 9 7 Edendale ... 54 4 Wyndbana ... • 124 v , Pine Bush ... 32 1 Fortrose ... > 69 11' Waikaka ....'. 4 39 Olara ... 17 . 1 Totals to hand 448 ' 272 Returns from Waikbikoi, Otama, Mokoreta, Seaward Downs, and South Wyndham are not yet to band, but will not affect the result. •