PROSPECTS IN THE AUCKLAND PROVINCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 117, 13 November 1902, Page 5

PROSPECTS IN THE AUCKLAND PROVINCE.

A REVIEW OF THE SITUATION*. (Special to the Post.) AUCKLAND, This Day. The coming general election, as far as Auckland is concerned, does not promise to be of exceptional interest. The paity line has, perhaps, never been so diliiculfc to draw, and yet several individual contests of exceptional interest are being, brought out. The Government certainly cannot complain of any lack of candidates — in fact, this superabundance of political aspirants may in several instances prove disastrous to the Ministerialists. For the three Auckland Uity seats there are no less than twehe candidates in the field — namely, Messrs. W. J. Napier (G), J. H. Witheford (G), F. E. Baume (G), A. P. Bradly.(C), John Fawcus (L), R. French (I), J. H. Hannan (I), Alfred Kidd (G), Games Regan (L), Arthur Rosser (L), \V. Richardson (P), and H. N. Simson (G). To select the three who will probably prove successful is extremely difficult, but the chances of Messrs. Bradly, Regan, Simson, Richardson, Hannan, and French are very slight. The general opinion seems to be that Messrs. Wilhelord, Kidd, and Rosser will fill the seats, but there are many who favour the chauees of Messrs. Baume and Napier. Grey Lynn.— lt was at first considered that Mr. George Fowlds was a certainty for Grey Lynn, but since then a very strong opponent has come forward in Mr. T. T. Masefield,- a well-known ironfounder and City Councillor, who will make a very close run for the seat, and it is impossible to say how it will end, as the supporters of each candidate are very confident. ParnclL— Mr. F. Lawry, the ex-mem-ber for Parnoll, has not a very strong opponent in Mr. J. M. Shera, and Mr. Lawry will probably secure a very comfortable majority. Eden.— At the previous election Mr. Bollard had an exceedingly narrow majority for Eden, but on the present occasion he will in all probability secure a comparatively easy victory 'over Mr. Cheal, the Government candidate. Waitemata.— Mr. E. W. Alison, an independent with Opposition leanings, may be looked upon as almost a certainty for Waitemata, liis only opponent being Mr. A J. Hadfield, the Government candidate. Manukau.— For Manukau Sir, O. M. O'Rorke has a strong opponent in Mr. M. M. Kirkbride, a well-known and popular farmer, but Sir Maurice is not likely to lose his seat, though the result will be very close. Thames. — The opponents of the Hon. J. M'Gowan for the Thames seal aie Mr N. H. Lucas (Labour) and Mr. E. H. Taylor (Prohibitionist), but Mr. M'Gowan's friends have no Fcnous misgivings as to the result — in fact, the Minister should win very comfortably. Ohinemuri. — The candidates for the Ohinemuri seat are Mr. Jackson Palmer and Mr. Poland (both Government men), and Mr, Moss (Independent). Mr. Poland is a well-known local public man, and is suie to poll heavily, mostly at the expense of Mr. Palmer, and Mr. Moss's

chances are very good, though the results i« hard to foretell. Bay of Plenty.— For Bay of Plenty theie are four Government candidate--^ namely, Rev. C. Jordan and Mew. Galland, Lundon, and J. E. Taylor. Under such conditions Mr. Herries's leturn seems almost a certainly, though a straight-out contest with Mr. Luudon would have been a very close affair. Waikalo.— Mr. Lang may be expected to hold this seat against .Mr. Greei^iade, though the latter is not by any me.ins an opponent to be despised. Franklin.— lf there is anything certain in politico Mr. Ma^sey should be ceitain of the Franklin scat. His only opponent is Mr. A. R. Han is {Government). Bay .of Islands.— For Bay of Islands Mr. Houston hos two opponent**, Mr. A. C. Glass and Mr. J. C. JohiiLton, bub these two have agreed that vheu tho Farmers' Union has made its selection the onp not chosen will retire and assist the other. Such being the case, Mr. Houston will find it no easy .matter to keep his seat. Marnden. — There is to be a straightout contest between Mr. R. . Thompson and Mr. F. Mauder for the Marsden seat. The latter will have the support of the Farmers'" Union, bub though Mr. Mauder will make a good fight, Mr. R. Thompson is nob likely to be unseated. Kaipara. — There are four Government candidates (Messrs. Basset, Newman, Peacocke, and Stallworthy) and one Independenb (Mr. Harding). Mr. Hard- ' ing's chances are, under the circumstances, very good. Waiapu. — The Hon. J. Carroll is sura to be returned fov Waiapu. Taking the province as a whole, tho election .will probably result as follows:, — Government 8, Opposition 5, Independent 4. Several of those put down as Independents have decided leanings tQ ths Opposition.