AUCKLAND SEATS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1311, 14 December 1911, Page 6

AUCKLAND SEATS.

INTENSE EXCjTEMENT. ; reform party confident of VICTORY. (By Telezranh.-SDocial Correspondent.) Auckland, December in. Intensc'excitemerit over the second bnl-. lots prevails here. The constituencies concerned are l'arnell, Waitcmata, and Grey Lynn, but the whole, of Auckland city and the other suburban districts are hiking sides, principally over Parnell. During the past week .Mr. Dickson seems to have, improved his chances, nhd.Sir John Findlay has, it is generally thought, lost ground. It is a significant. sign 'of the tinies that everywhere, on trams, trains, and ferry boats, Mr. Massey's manifesto is being discussed, and it 'is being posted up all over the'place by supporters of the Reforin party, while one seldom hears Sir Joseph-Ward's appeal to the electors mentioned. Sir John Findlay is not addressing the electors, and calls meetings of friends and supporters only. Mr. Dickson's return for l'aruell seems assured. . .

Waitemata is regarded as safe" for Mr. Harris, tho ■Kβform candidate. Another significant sign of tho times occurred in that electorate at Northcotc. When Mr. Napier, fhe Government candidate, made an attack on Mr.. Massey, the audience, which had accorded. Mr. Napier a patient hearing, then took a hand, and howled the candidate down until he tried another topic. Sir James Carroll had mapped out a flying tour of Wniteinata for to-day, embracing some ten or twelve open-air meetings, but the weather turned out wet, and the apostle of taihoa, who had tnrried too long on his journey to Waitcmata, found no one to- listen to him.

Mr. Massey has been receiving ovations wherever he has gone. His appearance wherever there is an assembly of people is tho signal for rqnsing cheers,-ami his speech at Newmarket to-night .is expected to put the finishing touch on the Parnell contest.

Raglan seat is regarded as a sure thing for Mr. Bollard, the selected Reform candidate. It is an Opposition seat anyhow, as the ■ contest. is between two Oppositionists.. ...

Grey Lynn is developing into a hot arid the odds are tliat llr. Fowlds 'will not be a member of the new Parliament. It is freely stated in the city that he has met his Waterloo. . - ■

TheiKaipara contest will be.close, but I think Mr. Coates, the Independent Oppositionist, will win.

Speaking in Parnell last night, Mr. Massey had a tremendous reception, many people being ilnablo to gain admission, and others being content to stand under the stage and listen to.the speech through a tnip-door. . Motions expressing- the feeling that the time had arrived 'for a change of Government .were carried in several places last evening.

THE FINAL MEETINGS. ' (Bj Teiccraph.-Press Association.! Auckland, December 13. Great enthusiasm was displayed at tho final meetings of the various candidates left in tho second ballots to-night. Mr. Massey was assisting Mr..Dickson at Parnell, and Sir John Findlay also had an excellent reception. Sir James Carroll was. at Devonport assisting Mr. Napier, who is having a big struggle- for the Waitemata seat. Great interest is displayed oa all sides in the result of to-morrow's contests. .....