THE MANAWATU ELECTION.

THE COACH JOURNEY TO PAIKAKARIKI. Between thrty and forty Manawatu electors, resident in Wellington, went out yesterday morning in various coaches and other vehicles vfco record their votes at the Paikakariki polling-^)lace. The first coach to get away was that freighted with the supporters of Mr* Walter Johnston, but it was soon followed, quickly overtaken and distanced by the second, which carried Dr» Buller's friends, and the latter reached the winning post full half an hour in advance of its earlier-started rival. Some parts of the road were in a deplorable condition owing to the late floods, and the coach passengers were compelled to dismount several times and trust to their natural means of locomotion. The numerous bridges carried away have been replaced by some very rickety temporary structures, which displayed a marked degree of elasticity as the coach passed over. The ascent of the Paikakariki Hill, always a heavy undertaking, proved altogether too much for one of Mr. Walter Johnston's coaches until ifc had disburdened itself of its living freight, so the unfortunate travellers by that incompetent vehicle had the pleasure of toiling on foot over the formidable hill, both going and returning, their enjoyment being much enhanced by the fact that the day was the hottest of the season. The result was a considerable loss of a.dipose tissue, and a still more serious loss of that calm equanimity which should distinguish well-regulated minds. However, there was no help for it, so the hapless voters plodded wearily along perspiring profusely, and bemoaning their evil destiny. The somewhat tedious coach journey ,was enlivened by the perpetration of sundry " sweeps" on the result of the election. The weather was magnificent, but there was a good deal of mist hanging about the hills, which prevented the full beauty of the t splendid view sometimes visible from the Paikakariki hill being witnessed. The " feeds " along the road and at the end of the journey were^not so good as would have been the case»had some notice been given beforehand ofthe intended invasion | of such an army of citizens. Still the hotelkeepers did their best, and those passengers wh_o w%re first -in the field fared sumptuously. Their successso'rs wei'e less fortunate.- It was noticed that no fewer than five of the legal fraternity were among the travellers, and a disrespectful remark was made by a layman that the Manawatu election thus had gained for the people of Wellington one day's peace and quietness. The miscellaneous assortment of electors duly recorded their votes, and then returned to the metropolis, the homeward jonrney being marked by no thrilling adventures, and brought to a olose safely and quietly at 10 p.m.