AFTER THE POLL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1307, 9 December 1911, Page 5

AFTER THE POLL.

EXCITEMENT Ihl AUCKLAND. MR. MASSEY RECEIVES A GREAT OVATION.

IBy Tdceraph.-Rwicial Corree D on<!enU . Auckland, December 8. ,, 1 ,™," B'-oat jubilation in Auckland at ho defeat of tho Government on tuo I" st ballot, ami no stone will bo left; .liuurned by the Reform party to corry the second ballots. The in public opimon was very pronounced amongst the enormous crowds gathered last night. Tho Herald' display made in Wyndham btree was watched by a crowd that waa densely packed right up Wyndham Street to Albert btTcct; and spread out liko a fan across Queen Street, and another Ui'uso crowd watched at tho Fort Street sido ot tho "Star" office. Opposition returns wwo greeted with roars of cheerlug, and Government returns wore received with groans and booing. Tho Prime Minister b portrait thrown on tho screens at both newspaper offices met with a hostile .reception. Mr. Massey's portrait was greeted by the vast throng at both newspaper offices with a mighty roar of cheering that lasted over two minutes. Mr Masscy was recognised at one of the "Herald windows, and had to show himself to reccivo a popnhr demonstration. The crowd did not want a speech/ It was content to sco tho popular idol and give urn the greatest demonstration of hia me. It was an inspiring scene as the tremendous crowd turned its faco from the screen across the street to-tho "Herald whilo-chcor after cheer rolled up like a salvo of artillery. If that reception is tin oarnost of public feeling throughout the Dominion, then tho Rciorm leader's return to power at tho second ballot is assured. Tho Auckland provinco on the first ballot has gone strongly for the Opposition. Of the scats retained by tho Government, the Oppositurn only contested two and the Governm«nt. has ..lost-Wniltato, Auckland West and; luumarunui to tho Reform party while of tho second ballots tho Reform party is fairly well certain of Parncll. Wmtemata, and Raglan, and-has a good fighting chance in Kaipara. Tho Government may lose Grey Lynn to tho Labour candidate and tho Ohinomnri seat to lh« popular Socialist candidate. The fact that in Hawko's Bay, Taranaki, and WeiJS&ii 08 n r M ..J I " A"* ballot is concerned, the Opposition has swept tho polls should harden the feeling here, and tho ISoi Hi Island thus pronounces a great verdiet for tho Reform partv. When he appeared before the crowd last night Mr Massey recognised that ho was not c* peeled to tpoak, but ho waved-fiis" arum to tho crowd, and shouted out that ho had heard one, groan. • It was the last dospamng groan of a bad Government. Another wild outburst of cheering saluted

When Mr. Massey made his war through the struts on election fe^ at (ho Hcrad" Office, he was followed by an enthusiastic crowd. On rcaeluV ■tho Auckland Club, -where ho was puttihe up. ho proceeded (o niako his way tWijrk a vast thrn, w . -At the doorway lie" stop, pod to greet Mr. Bradnev, the newly-elect-ed member for Auckland West. Immediately the crowd started cheering, nnd before ho know whore he was tho popnInr Leader of tho Reform party, was lifted shoulder hiijh and carried bodily into the club, amidst deafening cheers ' Tho excited and friendly crowd next lifted .Mr. Bradney and deposited him alongsido his chief, to tho accompaniment of fnrtlier cheers, A RUDE SHOCK. IBy Telcsranh.-Kiwla! CorrcsDonflent.l Christchurch, December 9.' Satisfaction only faintly describes fh(> foelin? of Otmositiou supporters regard* in? th« result of the first ballots all over (lie city, and particularly in front nf the result boards at the newspaper of. (ices. Men havo been standing nil day discussing, the now political situation. Many obviously find some ditlicultv in <>ocustomins themselves to the thought (hat tho Opposition lias an excellent chance or ovcrturnincr tho Government, but an idea that tho Ward Ministry is immovable, and that it has an eternal lease of tho Treasury Benches has been so rudely shocked within tho past twenty-four hour's that tho belief in the Opposition's eventual success is rapidly gaining ground.