ELECTION NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LII, Issue 156, 23 November 1896, Page 5

ELECTION NOTES.

THE OUTLOOK IN THE FAE SOUTH. [by telegraph. — own correspondent.] Invercargill, This Day. As the election draws near the excitement becomes keener. For Invercargill there is sure to be a close contest between the late member (Mr. J. W. Kelly), who had one of the biggest majorities in New Zealand last time, and M the Government candidate, Mr. John Sinclair, who is Mayor of the town. Mr. W. B. Scandrett, a very old resident, and for over 20 years Town Clerk, is also in the field, but though personally esteemed there is little faith in him politically, and it is questionable whether he will poll 500 votes of the 5700 on the roll. Mr. Kelly has lost a large section of the Labour vote owing to his desertion of the Government, but on the other hand he has the support of the Prohibition party, a very strong factor here. Mr. Sinclair will get the Roman Catholic and the Licensed Victuallers' support, together with a large section of workers who resent the late member's opposition to the Government. The result of the election is believed to hang largely on the attitude of Mr. Scandrett's supporters, for if the bulk of them desert him on the election day on the ground that they will he only wasting their votes, and cast them for Mr. Kelly, the sitting member's return is assured. Should this not take place, the contest will be very close, and Mr. Sinclair may win. In Awarua Mr. Ward is busy addressing meetings, and has met with enthusiastic receptions. His return may be regarded as a certainty, though Mr. Cowan, an ex-M.H.E. and an old settler, will poll well, and would hive stood a better show had he supported the bare majority on the liquor question. The candidature of Mr. Beaven, an out-and-out Prohibitionist, is not regarded seriously even by supporters of the cause. He has vegetated on his farm at New River so long that he does not realise the progressive spirit of the day. % Mataura is likely to provide a much closer contest than was first expected. There is no denying that the Hon. G. F. Eichardson, who is opposing Mr. M'Nab, the sitting member, is deservedly personally popular. He is not overburdened with this world's goods, and he was one of the very first settler in the Mataura. On these grounds, there are a good many who, though not in sympathy with him politically, will vote for him. The cqntest is sure to be very close. I do not think there will be a difference of 200 votes between the two, and this I opine will be in favour of Air. M'Nab, who has faithfully fulfilled all the promises he made three years ago. For Wallace there is a plethora of candidates. Mr. Henry Hirst and Mr. H. S. Valentine, ex-M.H.E.'s, are on the Opposition ticket, and the Rev. Thomas Neave, Presbyterian minister, Mr. Michael Gilfidder, school teacher, and Mr. James Mackintosbjthe sitting member, as Ministerialists. With the vote so split up, it is difficult to Say who will get in. If either Mr. Valentine or Mr. Hirst would retire, the other would have a soft thing, but should all go to the poll Mr. Mackintosh, despite his advanced years and other drawbacks, has an excellent chance of slipping in again.