AN EXCITING ELECTION.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 281, 1 June 1909, Page 5

AN EXCITING ELECTION.

A SECTARIAN STRUGGLE. [rfIESS ASSOCIATION.] HAWERA, to-day. Extraordinary excitement prevailed last nigiit over the election of a School Committee 'for the: Hawera District' High Schools Originally the party strife, was provoked by the friends of Mr P. ODea circularising the district with a view to securing the return of school committees favorable to O'Dea's election as a member of the Wanganui Education Board. ! These ' circulars were denounced by Mr E. Dixon, the present member of the Board, as being a Roman Catholic movement on behalf of O'Dea. Immediately a semi-sectarian fight began, and at the School Committee election three" weeks ago ODea was elected. That election was upset on account of ODea not having a residential qualification. ' Last night a fresh election was held and was preceded by unusually vigorous canvassing, the whole affair approximating to an electoral campaign and far exceeding in interest any civic contest ever held in Hawera. Cabs .were engaged by what may be called O'Dea's party, and these were rattling voters to the poll until midnight. The old committee was largely identified' with the church and No-license party, and seven out of the nine old committee-, men were returned by } a fairly substantial majority. The excitement' lasted until nearly 2 o'clock in the morning. '