THE WAIPAWA SEAT.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 119, 18 November 1908, Page 4

THE WAIPAWA SEAT.

T)\g contest for Waipawa was -carTied on throughout the day \yitli 'quiet determination' by both sides. The supporters of B£r ]Hunter wereyexy' prominent, and it was apparent, early in the day that the Opposition candi-date-had greatly -improved hiis position as against what it was -three years ago. This, however, was not due to any personal merit on the part of Mr Hunter, hut entirely to a widespread determination on the part of a large number of; people to put a check upon the Government and strengthen the Opposition. To this end cabs, drags, gigs, and motor cars were impressed into the service "pf the Hunter party, and = every voter they could command was brought up to the 'poll with a good deal of ostentation! Mr Hall's people, on the other hand, took matters very quiet,ly, and for the most part walked to fthe i poll, and this difference in the methods of" the two sides created the irhhpressioii 7 in the minds of many that Mr Hunter would secure a big majority at the courthouse, where the chief centre, of interest lay. By six. o'clock, however /there were evident signs $hat the strength of both sides was exhausted,' and when the poll ■closed, it was felt that there were few available votes unrecorded. Even after the poll had closed many of the enthusiastic ones did (not leave the vicinity of the courthouse, and when, the first return was exhibited on the Advocate screen shortly before seven o'clock ,there was a considerable number of anxious waiters in' front of the post office. That return was from Mangapuaka, and gave Mr Hall a majority of 18. The next return which came in was the courthouse, which still further -increased Mr Hall's lead. Then came the South School, where Mr v Hall had another small majority. The position was now such as to cause Mr Hall's supporters* some anxiety for they knew that they 'would have to secure' a fairly strong lead in Dannevirke to shake off their opponent in the country, where they expected him to poll strongly. The critical nature of the position was exemplified from moment to moment, for as return after return came in. Mr Hall's majority began to rise and fall with exciting uncertainty. By. 8 o'clock there was a huge crowd, in front of the^ Advocate office, and as the results were thrown upon the screen, the opposing sections cheered or howled accordingly as the figures raised 'or shattered their hopes. By an unfortunate error the figures for Wanjstead -•'•were at first given as: Hall 41, Hunter 37, making Mr Hall's majority at" that stage 71, but a' correction made the position very serious for. the Hallites, as •in reality their candidate' only secured four votes at that place, and Mr Hall's majority came down with - a heavy thud to 34. . The excitement then ran high as there was. only one more return to -come in, and Omakare was expected to give Mr H\mter a substantial majority, but these expectations were not realised, for, strange to say, the numbers were exactly 24 each, and thus Mr Hall's majority, which had never been headed,, stood at 34. This, of course, was satisfactory so. far as it went, and Mr Hunter ■ evidently conidered that he was beaten as he a£ once proceeded to. thank his supporters. The Hallites were not, however, so precipitate, as they '■ had to reckon with 69 absent voters' permits, which had yet to come in if their holders exercised them. It was known that several persons who ; had taken out these permits had vot- ' ed in Dannevirke, and had surrender--ed their permits, thus making the number of available permits 64. A scrutiny of these names convinced Mr Hall's committee that the prospect of holding their majority was encouraging, and Mr Buick then proceeded to address the huge crowd in front of the Advocate office. He briefly thanked those electors who had voted f for Mr Hall. He also thanked their opponents for the friendly spirit in which they had enabled them to fight the- contest. He could not pretend tip be altogether satisfied with the i result as the position was too critical |to be comfortable. There were still "over 60 absent voters permits to be accounted for, and these might change the result. He believed, however, that Mr Hall would get sufficient of these to hold i; hiB majority ; but, in the meantime, he did not care to say more than to again express Ma thanks' to both side; and to venture the hope- that events would give Mr Hall a clear arid undisputable majority. (Cheers.) . Mil HUNTER'S SHANKS. From the balcony over Mr Mason's shop/Mr Hunter returned his thanks. He said that he had contested the ; seat as a matter of duty, and he'felt pleased that the electors had had an opportunity of expressing their opinions. Mr Hunter said he had had an uphill fight, but he preferred that course to taking assistance from other people. Ho expressed, the , opinion that the Government would j lose still more ground. Mr Hunter thanked his committee, and hoped ; J that no ill-feeling would be allowed ' r to remain, as resulting from the election. He remarked that the absent voters' permits might yet alter the result, which was. followed by continued cheering from the candidate's supporters. I ABSENT VOTERS. So far a few absent voters' permits have come in, and the result is slightly in favor of Mr Hall. OUTSIDE RETURNS. i By the time the lqcal contests had ._. been disposed of the" .returns from ' I outside electorates began to come in,

and it was then seen that not alone m the Waipawa electorate had a set been made at the Government, but that the desire for change was fairly general throughout the dominion. Considerable surprise was experienced at the defeat.. of, the .Hon. Mr McNab, as private information received in- Dannevirke during ; the day created the ' impression that he felt fairly safe. The chief interest felt in the outside elections centred in Hawke's Bay and Napier. Regarding the former, it was generally expected that Sir William Russell would top the poll, but .no one anticipated that Mr Jull would be so absolutely out of it. Mr Dillon ought to win the seat easily on the second ballot. Considerable surprise was evinced at Mr Brown's easy win over Mr A. L. D. Fraser, as it was gpnerallly expected -that the contest was to be one of the closest on record: The returns continued to* be thrown on the screen up to 12.30. by which time the general /idea of the position throughout the dominion had been obtained. It was then seen that although the Opposition had gained several seats, and- had been to some extent "strengthened," the Government would still have a substantial majority with which to carry on their policy. This point having been Settled the crowd, which had been thoroughly good-natured during the whole evening, dispersed and returned to their homes at 1 a.m. . The arrangements for the conduct of the election locally were carried out by Mr Tilsley, returning Officer, and his staff in the most systematic manner, there being no confusion at the booths, and the results were made available to the public with the greatest expedition. In this respect we have to especially thank Mr Tilsley for his courtesy and consideration.