[By Telegraph.]

Press, Volume L, Issue 8650, 27 November 1893, Page 6

[By Telegraph.]

[from our correspondents.] AUCKLAND, Nov b mbor 25.

- -The - National Association publish an important notice in connection with the provisions of the Corrupt Practices Aye, warning persons who have enrolled under several assumed names or who have made false declarations as to the period of their abode or naturalisation, that a voluntary Vigilance Committee has been established with a view to legal proceedings in the cases of -personation or other corrupt practices. It is currently stated that there are fully 3000 names on the city rolls which are not bona fide, and in canvassing a number of houses have been visited where two men appear on the roll as resident, whereas only ens man could be found. In a street in one of the suburbs it is stated there are double the number of men on the roll who reside in it; Those who have examined the rolls and are interested in the purity of elections have been, it is said, startled to find that a large nuhiber of the disreputable women of the city, have been placed on tbe rolls, in some cases. : the claims being duplicated by an alias being assumed. -. As polling day approaches (telegraphs the Herald's Taurauga correspondent) the air is thick with rumours of political moves to secure this electorate for the Government. . It is rumoured, and the rumour receives general credence, that the Premier has been telegraphed lo that either Mr Kelly or Colonel Eraser must retire to give the other one a show, the reward of the retiring candidate to be promotion to the Legislative Council. Another move is beiug made to get the three outsiders to re- , ties, in favour of the present Liberal nominees, but it is more than doubtful if votes will follow, as electors decline to be led like a lot of sheep. So far the opinion amongst country settlers is gaining ground that Colonel Burton's utterances are straight to thepointand worthyof more consideration and attention than the rambling generalities the Liberal candidates so freely indulge id. Unless Mr Seddon can be induced to offer a seat in the Upper House either to Mr Kelly or Colonel Eraser as a bribe for withdrawing from the contest, both are likely to go to the poll. They are feeling-the effects of Colonel Burton's candidature. He i* rapidly gaining ground, and ie does not matter much to him. whether Mr K«-lly or the other Colonel is shunted into the Legis- i lative Council.

_ Tbe Herald says:—"lf there is one feature more than another in the present general election that must strike an intelligent and thoughtful observer it is the prominence which is being given to character as opposed to mere political creed. The electors generally are. demanding that their representatives shall be men of high principles, of great intelligence, of independent minds, and men who have the necessary qualifications to govern a young community with the promise of a great future before it. Hitherto at such a crisis as the present it has been too ofter a subject of regret to all, thoughtful persons that the best men failed to come forward, and it is extremely gratifying and a most hopeful sign of the times that, at least as far as Auckland city and many of the surrounding districts are concerned, this reproach has been removed."

The Herald advocates Sir G. Grey, Messrs Button and Withey as men who come within the above category and supports their candidature.

WELLINGTON, November 26. The great question, " How will the Government supporters be asked to vote ? " which it was thought would be an easy one to answer after Sir Robert Stout's declaiation of the attitude he intended to take towards the Government, remains as great a riddle as ever. Sir Robert's diplomatic answer that he would support the Liberal aide he had always supported, reserving to himself, however, the right to say whether he would follow any particular leader, has left the matter, if anything, more confused than ever. Nothing is more plain, however, than that the majority of the Cabinet are anxious for Sir Robert's return to the House, while it ia equally clear that the Premier has used •very effort possible to prevent this. Under the circumstances it is now not likely after all that the Premier will declare who are the Government candidates for Wellington. Much as he wonld desire to leave Sir'R. Stout off the Wellington ticket, public feeling here and in the Cabinet is too strong to allow of it, and the secret and underhand measures to injure his chances will have to be continued.

DUNEDIN, November 25. The elections are now in everybody's mouth, and despite the strictness of the law concerniug betting, one hears constantly of hats having bean wagered on the results. Two tickets have practically been put forward for the city (though Mr Fish is urging his friends to give aim plumpers), aud both sides are straining every nerve to win. The Liberal-Labour candidates have especially been particularly industrious, holding meetings every night, in the week, but the effect of this incessant flood of talk has been to show that Mr Earnahaw's opinions are widely different from the other two gentlemen with Whom he is associated, particularly in re§*rd to the futrxe leadership. Messrs ItttchieoD, Pinkerton, and Earnskaw compose the Ministerial-Liberal-Labonr ticket, »a_e on the other hand the electors can enopte between Messrs Fish, Gourley, Gore, tjSr..*** 7ll6B " Tue eighth candidate is Mr tticol, a newspaper vendor, but nis candida-

tnre is regarded as a huge joke. The Labour people claim, and rightly I think, to be the best organised party, and they are sanguine of again sweeping the boards as thoy did in 1890. That contingency, however, I do not regard as likely. Mr Fish is an adept at electioneering, and as he will have the Catholic vote, in addition to the support of the Liquor party and the Conservatives, he must poll heavily. The Temperance bodies are all supporting the Labour Liberal candidates, aud will carry with them a large proportion of the female votes. My opinion, however, is that Messrs Pinkerton and Fish, wili be returned, with Mr Earnshaw, Mr Gourley or Mr Hutchison as the third man. Mr Gouriey has secured a block vote of the Benevolent Institution inmates, some 200 odd strong, which may secure him a *' place " when the numbers are hoisted. Mr J. A. Millar, or maritime strike fame, will probably defeat ill- E. G. Allen for the Chalmers seat. Mr Allen wili, however, be strongly supported by the Union Company and by th« female vote. For Caversham a close fini.«h is expected between Messrs Barron and Morrison. But for Mr Munro's persistence in going to the poll Mr Barron's eltction would be assured, as it is he may get home. Mr J. Green, a former representative, is sure of election for Waikouaiti. Mr Bruce, who is a young mau with undaunted cheek, has been posing as the accepted Ministerial candidate, but at the eleveuth hour, or rather at half-past eleven, Mr Thompson, the third candidate, has rather unkindly published a telegram from the Premier showing that he was the Simon Pure from the Government stable.

Attention iv this pail, however, ceutres in the Waihemo electorate, in which the two Macs are fighting a battle royal. The women, especially, are displaying a. keen interest in the campaign, and flora) tributes are nightly ottered :o the two Richaids ; nor is it an uncommon occurrence for the burly fanners to unyoke the horses of their favoured candidate and to draw the carriage containing him along the streets to the meeting house. Seobie's march through mid Otaoo is said to have been an unparalleled electioneering triumph. When the numbers go up late ou Tuesday night, however, I fancy that the Hon. Johu will come out on top,

For the Taieri seat Mr Carncross ia op posed by Mr J. C. Buckland, a former member for Waikouaiti. The latter will have strong support from tne ladies and the anti-liquor party, and it will take the late member all his time to retain the seat. I fear that he will " go under," though his supporters are sanguine that he will have a couple of hundred votes to spare. Californian Thistle Mackenzie will certainly defeat Mr Brugh for the Clutha. The genial Vincent Pyke will probably be returned for Tuapeka, and the issue for Wakatipu will be narrowed down to the Hon. W. J. M. Larnach and Mr W. Fraser, a local ex-squatter, aud Chairman of Vincent County Council. Mr Larnach carries my vote. Waitaki will be represented by Major Steward, Speaker of tiie late Parliament Oamaru is likely to remain true to Mr Duncan, the late member, though iv the multiplicity of candidates there is considerable risk to the late member's prospects.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.) AUCKLAND, November 25. Mr Cadmau addressed the Waikato electors at Hamilton, the meeting being very lively. The following questions were asked : —"If returned, will you have the charge laid against you by Mr Rses cleared up ? " Answer—" It is not a question for mc to ask for an enquiry into, but for those that accuse mc. So far as lam concerned you will see by Hansard that I wanted it made before Mr Rees made the charge against mc. I have faced a full enquiry, and ib is for those who make accusations against mc to ask for a further enquiry.".. Question — " Was it true that the property tax had not been paid on the £1000 acre Royalty for seven years received by Messrs Cadman and Smith?" Answer—"The tax had been paid regularly. Mr Rees's statements were a tissue of lies from beginning to end." On the motion for a vote of confidence there was a great uproar, and an amendment was moved of thanks only. ». The Chairman declared the motion carried, and the meeting broke up in disorder after lasting two and a half hours.

WELLINGTON, November 26.

The Premier and the Postmaster-General returned from the South this afternoon. Mr Ward leaves for Napier in the morning, and will deliver a political address there iv the evening. The Premier will probably speak in the Opera House here to-morrow evening. There are 3987 names on the Otaki roll, including about 950 women.

There are 1350 polling booths this year, against 945 last election—72B in the South Island and 622 in the North. There are 230 booths for the Maori elections, against 211.

The suburbs' roll contains 4611 names, but the number of women is not known.

OAMARU, November 26. The number of electors on the Oamaru roll is 4142, 2504 being males and 1638 females.

DUNEDIN, November 25.

The Obago rolls are made up as follows :— Waitaki, males 2491, females 1114, total 3605; Waihemo, males 2529, females 1357, total 3886; Waikouaiti, males 1977, females 1250, total 3227; Dunedin, males 9405, females 7633, total 16,936; Caversham, males 1950, females, 1549, total 3499 ; Bruce 3224, of which 1200 are females ; Tuapeka, males 2526, females 1162, total .3688; Clutha, total 4119; Mataiira, males 2506, females 1698, total 4104. November 26. Mr H. S. Fish addressed his first meeting oi electors at South Dunedin last evening. There was at times considerable uproar aud he was subjected "to a good deal of interruption, but was able to finish his speech. He claimed that he had been consistent throughout the last Parliament, and that it was the Government which had departed from the principles upon which they took office. A motion of thanks and confidence was dec'ared carried by the Chairman though more hands were held up agaiusc thau for the motion.

INVERCARGILL, November 26. The Invercarcill electoral roll bears 4664 names, 2688 men aud 1976 women.