THE COMING ELECTIONS.

The Wellington correspondent of the Hawke'sHay Herald writes:—"lt is now beginning to be recognised in political circles that at the coming general election the seats of at least three Ministers of the Crown will be in danger. It is a very long time since a New Zealand Minister of the Crown has been defeated at an election, but the evident change that is taking place in the constituencies regarding the administration of the continuous Seddon Ministry, combined with an active Opposition organisation, is having a considerable effect. It is now pretty generally conceded that Mr Duncan has an excellent chance of defeating Mr Mills for Wairau. At Timaru, Mr Frank Rolleston is said to be putting up an excellent fight against Mr Hall-Jones, and there can be no doubt that the former will at all events poll heavily. Lastly, from three separate sources, I learn that Mr Carroll will have to work with more energy than usual to retain his seat for Waiapu. The contest there is complicated owing to two Opposition candidates being in the field- viz., Mr W. Clayton (Inde-

pendent Oppositionist) and Mr H. H. Wall i»w (Prohibition Oppositionist). Of these two, m? Mr Clayton has much the better chance, and is meeting with a very large amount of support. If Mr Wall pan be persuaded to retire, a very interesting contest may be expected.