AUCKLAND SCENES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1312, 15 December 1911, Page 9

AUCKLAND SCENES.

■ iraM !u:.:v: ■ GREAT NIGHT FOR MR. MASSEY. ■ WHOLE-HEARTED OVATION. " (By. Telegraph Sperisl OnrrespopdenU Auckland, December 14. - One of the most remarkable demonstrations ever known in Auckland took place in front of the "Herald" buildings faj-uigkt. An enormous crowd assembled, and was packed in a dense mass across Queen Street and up Wyndham Street as far as Albert Street. . >■ 1 The first return to'come through,shewed Mr. Payne in the lead for Grey Lynn? and there was a tremendous outburst of cheering. Then the Masterton return went up, and the crowd roared with delight,' Thero quickly followed the first Farnell returns, and, as the results from the different booths went np, there were wild outbursts of cheering, until the final announcement'of-Mr. Dickson's win, when the > crowd, went wild with delight. Cartoons of Sir Jno. I-'indlay were received with roars of delight, and then there appeared 'on the screen a cartoon that has gained immense popularity. It represented a boxing ring, with Mr. Massey smilingly advancing on Sir Joseph Ward' in "Jack Johnson" stjle, and it was greeted by a groat outburst. There were calls for Jlr. Jlassey. and, as ho appeared at one of the "Herald" windows he was accorded a great demonstration. One salvo of cheers followed another for fully ten minutes. Portraits of Mr. Dickson and Mr. Ma*, sey were accorded great ovations, and portraits of Sir Joseph Ward and Sir Juo. Fiivllay were received with groans and hooting. Mr. Payne's win in Grey Lvnn was very popular, and the Hon. J. A. Millar's victory in Duncdin "West was greeted with a chorus of jjroans and hooting. It was one of the most unpopular returns of the night—at least, except Mr. Isitt's return—which induced another outburst of hostility. Return aftor return came in, till the Opposition had 32 seats to the Government's 20, and this was hailed with demonstrations of delight.

Thero can be now no doubt of the unpopularity of the Ward Government in Auckland. Auckland awaited its chance. and has expressed itself in no undecided fashion.

The KaiDara result. showin? Mr. Coates in the lead, was the simal for more wild cheering. The Waitemata returns were rather slow, but, as they filtered in with Mr. Harris leading, cheer followed cheer, and Mr. Massey was afforded another tremendons ovation. Wanganui, and Wellington Snbnrbs, and Dnnedin North were immensely popular' returns. Short speeches by Mr.' Dickson and Mr. Pavne w»r« preetcd with great cheering. Then Mr. Masse.v followed, and he wm received with a wonderful demonstration, being choercd and" cheered again.