NELSON.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1376, 5 April 1867, Page 3

NELSON.

The " Examiner " comments thus on the result of the late elections:— The election for the Superintendency came off on Thursday last, and the return of Mr Curtis by an overwhelming was an unexpected blow to the friends of Mr Barnicoat, as well «S to the party which transferred their Bupport to that gentleman on the retirement of their own condidate, Mr Blackett. The great amount of support which it was known Mr Barnicoal would receive in his own district of Waimea-east, and in the Waimeas generally, led his friends to believe that his success was certain, it being thought that he would poll a fair share of votes in all the other districts, aud that in Motueka he would command a good majority. So confident, indeed, were Mr Barnicoat's friends of his success that odds of 5 to 1 were laid in his favor only a fortnight ago. After that, the odds rapidly declined, and as tho day of election approached the chances of the candidates were regarded as being more equal. Mr Curtis'a friends were, however, sanguine of success from the first, and within the last few days they were assured of it. On the evening preceding the election a member of the Central Committee produced a carefully compiled estimate of what would be the Result of the polling in each district, except Massacre Bay and the Amuri, which gave a majority for Mr Curtis of ISO, being only twenty-one in excess of the majority obtained. In this calculation not only did the gross majority, as estimated, approach very closely to that which proved to be the result, but in all the districts, except Waimea-east and Waimeasouth, the information furnished by local committees (on which this estimate was based, was found to be remarkably correct. So favourable a view of Mr Curtis's position on the poll was scarcely credited by even those who wished him success, but when spoken of abroad it was ridiculed, and scouted as an impossibility.

The total number of electors on the roll who could possibly have voted at this election is about 1650, and it will be found when all the returns are received that nearly 1200 have recorded their votes. Should this be the case, the proportion of electors who voted out of those who were eligible will be unusually large. Iv previous elections for the Superintendency in Nelson only on one occasion has there been so large a majority for the successful candidate as in the present case. At the first election, in August, 1553, Mr Stafford had a majority over Mr Saxton of fiftyfour ; in November, 1856, Mr Robinson beat Mr Monro by sixteen votes ; in December, 1861, Mr Robinson defeated Mr Barnicoat by 44-3; in 1865, Mr Saunders had a majority of twenty over Mr Barnicoat; and the election that has just terminated will, we expect, see Mr Curtis returned by a majority of about 180. The declaration of the poll will be made as soon as the return is received from Amuri, as those from Massacre bay will, no doubt, be received within a day or two.