ELECTORAL NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8651, 28 November 1893, Page 5

ELECTORAL NOTES.

The results of the elections throughout the colony will, aa the returns are received, be displayed from this office to-night by limelight, aa has been done on former occasions. Owing to the large increase in the number of electors and the consequent greater trouble in. counting the votes, it is not expected that any returns will be received much before 10 p.m. Last evening the Theatre Royal waa crowded, whon Mr J. S. Evison, one of the candidates for Christchurch, gave an address. A small organised gang of noisy youths in the pit kept up a continual noise and interruption throughout the delivery of the address. With the exception of those few obstructionists, the large audience gavo Mr Evison a moat hearty reception, and applause was frequent throughout. At the close hi waa loudly cheered, and a hearty vote of thanks was passed with enthusiasm. A full report of the address appears elsewhere. Last night Mr Davie addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting of electors af Sydenham. At the conclusion % hearty vote of thanks was proposed and seconded, to which an amendment, "that a vote of thanks and confidence be accorded to the candidate," was carried unanimously. The Mayor of Sydenham occupied the chair. Mr W. Boag delivered a second address to the electors of Riccarton in the Papanui Town Hall last night. The building was crowded to excess, fully oue-third of thoso present being ladies. Mr James Wilson was elected Chairman. Mr Boag fully explained his action in connection with the education question, asserting that he had never swerved from his adherence to the principles of the present Education Act, which he would support in its entirety under any circumstances. Ho also dealt briefly with other political topics and answered a number of questions satisfactorily, many of his practical replies being heartily applauded. Mrs Arkle moved and Mrs Welch seconded the motion for a vote of thanks to Mr Boag, which was carried with enthusiasm. Mr W. Acton Adam, in a short address expressed the opinion that the action of Mr C. Burgess in retiring from a contest such as the present iv the interest of his party, was ono that entitled him to the thanks of the party he had sought to represent, and concluded by moving that the thanks of the meeting be accorded co him for so doing. This was seconded and carried, though there was some dissent to the proposal. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated a very satisfactory meeting. Mr Douglass has retired from the conteat for the Lyttelton seat in favour ot Mr Blake. Mr Joyce addressed a largo meeting in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, last night. At the conclusion Mr W. Gibbons moved a vote of thanks to the candidate, stating, that he felt sure the electors would express their confidence at the ballot box.. The motion was seconded by Mr Cogill and carried unanimously. Mi-George Laurenson ocenpied the Chair. Mr Anson addressed a large' meeting iv the Broadfield school on Saturday; over 150 electors being present, including a num. ber of ladies. Mr S. Early ; presided. Mr Anson met with a mosto cordial reception, and was frequently applauded during the delivery of his address. After answering questions, Mr Anson was accorded a unanimous vote of .thanks and. confidence, and at the conclusion of the .neeting three hearty cheers were given for him. * Mr C. W. Purneli addressed a wellattended meeting of electors in the Ashburton Oddfellows'- Hall last evening, the Mayor presiding. He was frequently warmly applauded during the course of his address, and at the close was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks, on the motion of Dr. Leahy. Mr John McLachlan addressed a meeting of the Ashburton electors in the Arcade. (from our correspondents.) AUCKLAND, November 27. Serious anxiety as to the return of Sir George Grey is entertained here owing to i the treachery of his professing friends. The Star sayb :—" We are seriously told by may people who have felt what they regard as the pulse of the people by canvassing for votes, on one narrow ground and another, that there is a danger, from various causes, of Sir George Grey being dropped out in the final count up. The Temperance Electoral Committee nave dropped him off their ticket, and ask electors to do the same. Tho Knights of Labour—save the mark—'-have done ditto. In all seriousness people.coma and tell us that across the. last page of Sir .George Grey's distinguished record is to be written. 'Rejected of the people of Auckland ;' that afters generations who benefit by the splendid fruits of his long-life devotion to the public service, and who inquire into the story of the great explorer, the Great Pr,Consul in Australia, in New Zealand, in Africa, the only really great statesman Australasia has ever numbered among its rulers, was at,last rewarded by rejection at the hands of the people he had done the most for. What an example to posterity, what an encouragement to grovelling time service and in exaltation of common-place medio* crity among public men. Auckland would become a by-word among the cities of Australasia. We urge the electors, and especially the women'of Auckland, who are exercising' the franchise for the first time, to render Buch a thing impossible by giving one vote on their ticket for Sir George Grey, no matter who receives the remaining two." .-•..; _ .. WELLINGTON, Novembei 27- . To-night, the eve of. the election, the uncertainty prevailing 6M to the result of the contest here is greater than ever. At the commencement of the struggle it seemed possible to make a choice, in some instances, with a slight degree of certainty; but that even has passed away, and put of the ten candidates at least six are looked upon as haying_good chances. Thece are Mr Bell, ' Sir K. Stout, Messrs Du'thie, Fisher, Macdonald,' and McLean. The two first named appear to have the most satisfactory following) while there is very little to choose between the others. - Mr .Seddon seems to have knocked himself up with the trip south, and ao strained his voice to make himself heard at the meeting at,Christchurch on Saturday night that hia medical adviser has ordered .that he shall not.speak to-night as promised; at least, this is the excuse .given for his breaking his promise to address the electors here. It is thought, however, that there must be something behind this; that Sir R. Stout's explanatioh of bis position towards the Government has put the Premier in an awkward ___. .Mr Seddon, in the .ace of the attitude, taken up by. Sir R. Stout, must either declare himself against Sir R. Stout— and in this it. is not likely he would be backed up by.the Cabinet—or elsi place him oxt the Government ticket. Neither of these courses, it is easily understood, would find, favour with Mr Seddon, hence, his silence. This view is strengthened by the fact that while professing bis inability .to speak in the city he will attend a meeting in the suburbs. - . <■••.-, " IJUKEPIN. November 27. Interest in the Race Meeting, which begins on Wednesday, -is completely overshadowed by the elections. For the Caveraham Seat -Mr Barron's cHahb-S are __riou_ly jeopardised by hia determinedly getting his face against canvassing and refusing to have a Committee, and I quite expect to see Mr Morrison have a substantial majority. The cohieot between Mr Carncross (the" sitting member) arid Mr Buckland for the Taieri promises to be exceedingly keen, and it is difficult to pronounce definitely __) to the result of this -single-handed fight. For Tuapeka Mr Rollins' prospects have brightened materially sjnee ho has secured the Catholic vote, and it is sow on the cards that he will defeat the Hon. V. Pyke, the Ministerial cifldidftte. Mr Pyke .is in a feeble state of-health,' and the incessant travelling is wearing him- down. Mr Fish ha. bad to-forego his opart-air meeting in Dunedin to-night, as he is suffering from relaxed throat. Dr. Batchelor gave the following certificate this trior_ing: —"It will be impossible for. M. Fish to speak this evening. He-is-feverish and suffering from-catarrh of the throat. It would be dangerous for him to leave his house in his present condition." - This) abstention from speaking in the city, and Mr Fish's support to Catholics attending private schools will jeopardise hit chanoed materially. The Waihemo campaign is creating a deal

of inte-wi, not only to the -lentor-ia, bnt throughout Ota«o, u_ the to bT» hitter one. The following telemraphio correspondence published m tho Star to-night aaent the Ponu-haka p-rcJmso is attracting considerable attention. On tbe 23rd Mr Scobie Mackenzie sent the following telegrams to tho Hon. J. McKenzie :—«« I engaged the Palmeraton H»U for 27th on express understanding that you were to have half of it. I now invite you to make use of it to address the people, each of ns taking twenty minutes at a time. —Scobie Mackenzie." Tho answer was— " Your wire to hand this morning re Palmerston Town Hall on 27th inst. I, regrot that you have dolayed so long in giving mc the information as to tho express understanding on which you engagod tho lame, consequently I have made my own arrangements without your assistance.— lohn MoKks-18, Kakauui." Tho following telegram was also sent to Mr John Douglas, Palmerstoii: — In oonßequeuco of your letter to tho Press, 1 Bow once more givo you tho opportunity of defending as man to man what I shall dooounce in the face of the whole people on Monday night as a shameless imposture practised upon the people of New Zealand. -Scobie Mackenzie." To tho above Mr Douelas replied aa follows : —" Scobie Mackenzie, Waihemo.—Your telegram reached mc at noon to-day, being laid up since Wednesday with a bad cold. Dr. Hislop was then present treating mo. I should certainly decline, except through the Press, discussing matters of importance with any man displaying, as you do, such utter disregard of truth, whose logic is buffoonery more entertaining than instructive, your aim being to amother the truth before it could disprove, and what is more, expose your vile false accusations. It is reported that ere. my reply was published you well know these vile accusations to be false. At auy rate, you now know this to bo the case, so please not to make further utterances affecting my reputation. Your buffoonery is only squalled by your treachery in protending willingness to answer, but nob yet answering my queries in time for both your reply und my rojoindor to have been circulated before tho election, as have boon yout cowardly, vile, false accusations.—John Dowlas." (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.) AUCKLAND, November 25. Colonel Fr-ser has retired in favour of Mr W. Kelly for the Bay of Plenty electorate. November 27. The Hon. E. Mitcholson addressed tho electors of Edeu at Davonport. His speech Has a lengthy reply to Mr Ward's. Mr Napier addressed a largo meeting of electors at the City Hall to-night. A tologram was received from tho Premier to the Chairman of the Liboral Association, stating that all true Liberals wore on the evo of a great battle. It was tho cause of tho men, women, and children of tho country against a select few, who for so many years havo dominated Parliament to tho detriment of the country, and who, whilst having enjoyed all the benefits resultiug from the expenditure of public money aud increased population, havo heaped taxation upon the shoulders of the many. The following numbers are on tho rolls in the undermentioned districts :—City of Auckland 16,788 (of whom about 5000 aro women), Parnell 4194, Eden 4745, Manukau. 4048, Franklyn 4187, Waipa 3746, Waikato 2782, Bay of Plenty 4166, Waiternata 4717, Marsden 4244, Bay of Islands 4916. HAWERA, November 25. There aro 3620 names on tho Patea roll, of which 1400 aro women. NAPIER, November 27. Mr Ward addressed ono of tho largest public meetings ever held in Napier iv the Gaiety Theatre to-night, the building being packed from tho door to the back of the stage. About 400 women were present. Mr Ward spoke for nearly three hours. His speech waa in tho main the same aa he delivered at Winton, but he devoted considerable time to replying to the criticisms of the Governi ment'a finance by the Hawke's Bay Herald I and Mr P. S. McLean at a recent meeting held under the auspices of the Women's League. The whole address was a trenchant defenoe of tho administration of the Ministry, and he was well received. Ho indicated that he would not support giving n Minister a neat on the Board of Railway Commissioners with power of veto, but thought a Minister Bhould have a Boat. He conoluded by advocating support for the Ministerial candidates in Hawke's Bay. At the conclusion, a voto thanking Mr Ward, expressing confidence in the Government, and pledging the meeting to support Mr Carroll, the Ministerial candidate, was carried unanimously. Mr Sutton has retired from tho contest for Napier. WELLINGTON, November 27. Mr Wilford, the Government candidate for the Wellington suburbs seat, intends to take legal action against persons who have been circulating certain statements reflecting on him. An open air temperance meeting on Saturday night was the scene of some rowdyism; stone, and eggs were thrown, and the speakers were several times thrown from the platform., In consequence of this a eort of vigilance committee has been organised by the Trades Council aad Liberal Convention for their open air meeting to-night, and tho services of the police 'have also been invoked. Mr. Maodonald addressed a crowded meeting at the Opera Houbo. He dealt with the charges againßt the Government of trying to bribe candidates to withdraw, and claimed that when investigated they Utterly broke down. Tho Premier, despite extreme hoarseness, spoke for an hour, and called on tho Liberals to vote straight and do their utmost to keep Conservatives out. He s declined to nominate the Governmen* tioket, Sir P. A. Buckley followed with a very brief address, merely saying he had taken up female franchise against his conviction, and passed it through unaltered. The Ministera met with a very cordial reception, and the candidate got a vote of thianka and confidence. At a mass meeting on the reclaimed land to-night the following letter was addressed to the Chairman of the Liberal and Labour Convention and tho President of the Trades and. Labour Counoil i—" Gentlemen,—Seeing !the commnnicatlon from the Electoral Convention, intimating the selection of candidates was only received by the Govern* bent on Friday last, it is now too late, I think, to oak the Government to take any action thereon. Under the circumstances I think it should be left to the tiborahj of Wellington to say at the ballot box which three candidates slja.ll be selected in the interest? of the cause. The Government above all things desire that harmony Should be preserved and plumping avoided. : [The aignature to tho letter quoted above wait omitted in transmission, but it v evident that the writer waa the Premier.! NELSON. November 27. ; The most exciting meeting held in Nelson toek place at the Theatre to-night, whea Mr John Graham received a vote of thanks and confidence, but his opponents were present in strong numbers. _, , ' Mr Kerr was to have spoken at the Port Hall but sorao ono took tho key and admisaion could nob he gained. .. The fight to-morrow promises to be ft bitter one. ' ~ _ There are 1708 women on tho city roll and 2058 men. . ' „- BLENHEIM, November 27. The Wairau roll contains 4139 name., including 1336 women, and the Waimea Bounds 2811, with 749 women. GREYMOUTH, November 27. Mr Nancarrow addressed a packed meettag to-night and wai well received. Ho said he waa a Liberal, and would like to boo women in tho Houaft. Ho opposed an olec tlve Governor, and did not represent the Union Company. His programme generally was on broad Liberal linos. He opposed i-terfering with, the Educational Act, and «bly came forward on account of the poHtical element introduced into the distnbution of co-operative work. Ho accuse- Mr of giving all tho work to one class |nd none to the other. , . i Mr Bell, another candidate, followed with . long address. His platform is that of the labour League, including elective Governor, sbolitiou of tho Upper House, referendum, ,_-. ' He received a vote of thanks and confidence. , -~ DUNEDIN, November 27. '" The correct number of voters on th« Dunedin city roll is 16,936, of which 9347 are males and 7689 females. There are 1777 females, out of a total of 4883, on the Ghalmera roll, ».nd 1324 female*, out ol a total of 4119, oa tho Clut-» roll. : Election eicitemeaft ran* my «_** »*«

rrevalei.t opinion is that the Labour—Minis- J :<;_._. ticket will win, though many think. •' r --her Mr Gourley or Mr Fish will split it- j T:._ chii-man of the Harbour Board h-J | - ..a n.aking steady progress during the v _ek, daily gaining ground, while he i'-i receive large sapport from the working n>:_. Mr Fish is suffering from relaxed -cat. a_;<l is unable to address the mass -.■:-ti:;g to-night. TLtre w__s only one final meeting in the >..->- in connect-on with the election, and j _ .v? for the introduction of some wattle i ..._5 it passed off quietly. The meeting ] v. __ udil-esseu by Messrs Pinkertoa, Hutchi- £-.-_. and Earasaaw, who received a vote of Croat in;.rest is taken in the election to- ] m-r.ev., _a_ though there is not much \ e„>._:_-_l the polling is expected to be L-.-.w. It is anticipated that fully 13,000 -.-. .11 .to to the _011. RIVERTON, November 27. The tot.-J nines on the Wallace roll are £'_.. cf which 3212 are males and 1186