THE OUTLOOK IN CANTERBURY.

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

THE OUTLOOK IN CANTERBURY.

(Br Telegraph.) (Special to the Post.) CHRISTCHURCH, 12tli Nov. A striking feature of the election campaign so far has been the marked absence of both enthusiasm and interest on the part of tho public, except in one or two electorates where the issue is being fought on clearly defined party lines. There are eight candidates in the field for the city, and while at present it is somewhat premature to prophesy, general opinion seems to point to the return of two of the late members, Messis. W. W. I Collins and G. J. Smith, and Mr. T. c! Taylor. The last-named ia expected to poll heavily. His meeting at the Can. terbury Hall the other night was one of the largest yet held iii Christchurch, and the reception accorded him shows that he has lost none of his hold over the people as a popular speaker and leader. His uncompromising attitude on the prohibition question will ensure him a solid vote from that party, and as there is no straight-out Opposition candidate in the field, he will doubtless get a fair proportion of the Opposition votes. In addition, he is one of the candidates selected Dy the Trades and Labour Council. The fact that Mr. Collins, -who has been a consistent supporter of labour reform ,in Parliament, has been passed over by the Council, has given ijso to rumours of a Labour-Prohibition alkinec. While this is denied in certain quarters it is freely stated that al the meeting to select candidates there was a strong Prohibition element present. Nevertheless, it is expected that Mr. Collins will have a good following from the labour people, and he will also get the support of the licensed victuallers. The other two candidates selected by the Trades Council are Messrs. H. G. Ell and Charles Taylor, the latter of whom is the labour candidate chosen by tho trades unions. If any one interferes with the return of any of the three candidates above mentioned it will probably be Mr. Ell. He has a very strong following, despite the fact that his vigorous advocacy of the rating on unimproved values has lessened hi* chances to some extent, especially in the districts most adversely affected by tho change in the rating. He will also command the 2\o-liccnse vote. Mr. H. Davey, the sporting editor of the . Lyttelton Times, is a new aspirant for political honours. He is standing as a Government supporter, but is at a disadvantage owing to his not being well known throughout the electorate. He will poll well at St. Albans, of which borough ha has been Mayor for several years. The Avod seat will result in a clos» contest between Messrs. W. W. Tan- < ncr and J. R. Brunt. The former Mas . the late member, and is the candidacy' chosen by the Trades and Labour Counj|j|, oil. Mr. Brunt has been before tbe pufcsfv\ lie in municipal life, and in addition is ' personally very popular. The other candidate is Mr. Loughrey, n'heitor, who has had previous political experience. Ho is well suppoiled, but it is thought that being a Government supporter ho "ill rather interfere \uth Mr. Tanner's chances. Four are out for the Courtenay seat, and the issue will probably rest bth\een Mr. C. Lewis and Mr. J. Rennie. TiiO - chances seem slightly in favour of Mr. Lewis, who is standing in the Opposition interest. Riccarton will provide an interesting contest. Mr. G. W. Russell, tho ]•»<* member, will have the support of the Trades and Labour Council, but he lvs a strong opponent in Mr. G. Witty, v.ho is a prominent figure in the local biancn of the Farmers' Union, and will consequently get a large >-hare of the fanning vole. Mr. G. Laurenson will probably b3 returned for Lyttelton. He is opposed by Mr W. Rollitl, also a Government rapporter. The Litter's stronghold v ill bo Sumner, of which borough he has been. Mayor for a number of yeais. Mr. R. H. Rhodes seems almost a certainty for Eilesmero, and Mr. C. A. C. Hardy is expected to again lccciva the confidence of tbe Selwyn eleclois. The latter seat is contested b\ -Messrs. K. Wilson and J. lve-p. There are four cindidales for Ashburton, and the contest will probably lof-olve itself into a figlit between Mr. J. M'Laehlnn, the s'ttmg member, and Mr. - J. Studholme, jun. The latter is an Opposition candidate, and is pei'-onally highly respected, paiticukuly amonj the I farming community. Although this is the ftVt time Mr. SludholirTe has sought the f-v.flr.iycs of ! the electors his speeches have netted a j very favourable impic-sion. I Mr. Buddo holds a good place in gen- | oral favour for Kaiapoi, and for Iluuinui there seems every likelihood of Mi.Mcietlitli being letuinccl t a^ain. Bn tvo stronger! opponents are Mcs«is. A. \Y. Rutherford and 11. I<\ Recce. Loth of whom arc well kno\wi thioiwhuiit the district. The Geraldine contest lien Letwecn Messrs. F. R. !<"«■» 1 man and W. the latter of whom is one of the latent converts from Seddonism. For Timara

the Hon. W. Hall-Jones will probably have a "walk-over." The following is the complete list of candidates fe,o iar announced : — Christchuruh— \V. W. Collins, G. S. Smith, H. G. Ell, T. E. Taylor, C. Taylor, T." H. Davey, R. M. Taylor, and C. Allison. Avon— W. W t Tanner, A. Loughrey, J- R. Brunt. Courtenay — C. Lewis, J. Rcnnie, J. Barrett, and C. Opio. Kaiapoi— D. Buddo, A. D. Hassall. Ellesmere— R. H. Rhodes, C. .R. Thornton. Selwyn— C A. Hardy, K. Wilson, J. Ivess. Riccarton— G. W. Russell, G. Witty. Lyttelton — G. Laurenson, W. Rollitt. Ashburtou — J. M'Lachlan, W. Brock, A. Agar, J. Studholme, jun. Geraldine— F. VV. Flatman, W. Maslin, R. B. Mac Donald. Timaru— Hon. W. Hall-Jones, F. H. Smith. Hurunui— W. Meredith, A. W. Rutherford, H. F. Recce, G. P. Pulley, G. W. Forbes". [BY TELEOEAPH — PEESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, xuis Day. Messrs. William JTraser and A. Murdoch have been nominated for Wakatipu. Ifc is stated this afternoon that Mr. Jellicoe will be a candidate for one of the City seats. At midday Mr. Thos. Lynch addressed a gathering at the head of the wharf, speaking on. behalf of Mr. P. J. O'Regan, who was prevented from being present owing to his sitting for law examinations. Mr. Allan.' Orr will address the electors jn the old Jubilee Hotel, Tinakori-road, j at 8 o'clock to-night, and will hold an open air meeting in Aro-strcet to-morrow night. Mr. P. J. O'Regan will speak in the old Jubilee Hotel, Tinakori-road, at 8 p.m. to-morrow. Mr. Barber will address the electors in the State School, Roseneath, on Monday evening. Dates of Mr. Hislop's Brooklyn, fc.ilbirnie, and Berhampore meetings are announced. ______^____ - .