CANTERBURY CONTESTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 107, 2 November 1908, Page 2

CANTERBURY CONTESTS.

[Bi Telegraph. — Special to Tax Post.) CHRISTCHUItCH, This Day. Tlio election battle has raged fiercely in the Geraldino district this week. The Opposition candidate, Mr. W. Jeffreys, is working strenuously, and is a younger and more vigorous man than the Government nominee, Mr. Buxlon. Ho is also tho better platfom performer. The contest is between thuse two men, though other candidates are in the field, but tho district generally expects to be faithful to the Government. Mr. Buxtons politics are along the lines of orthodox Liberalism. Probably Mr. Jas. Allen will visit Temuka next week to reply to Sir Joseph Ward. , TIMAIttJ. Mr. Massey took the opportunity to visit the neighbouring electorate of Timaru, where the Opposition man, Mr W. D. Campbell, needed encouragement. His platform efforts have not been successful. Mr. James Craigie (Government) should win, though there seems to be a chance of the Labour candidate, Mr. Collier, securing a fair number of voles that would otherwise go to the Government man. A FIELD OF SEVEN. Ashburton, with a field oi' seven, seems likely to need a second ballot Mr. Di Jones, the Opposition candidate, is making himself prominent, and has an extensive connection amongst tha farmers, but the recognition of the absolute majority principle spoils his chance. Mr. F. R. Flatman, who abandoned" Getaldine in order to contest Ashburton on behalf of the Government, should win the seat. SELWYN. Mr. J. Ivess, who has replaced Mr. Dickie as the Government candidate for Selwyn, will polJ well, but it is expected that Mr. C. A. C. Hardy (Opposition) will win. The alteration in the electoral boundaries favours Mr. Ivess. CHRISTCHURCH CITY. In Christchurch Mr. H. G. Ell (Government), and Mr. T. H. Davey (Government) seem quite safe for Christchurch South and Christchurch East respectively. Mr. T. E. Taylor (Independent) has made a particularly good start in Christchurch North, and is quite likely to beat Mr. C. M. Gray (Government). He was 1060 votes behind in 1905, but his position was due to the voucher incident, and his personal attacks on Mr. Seddon, not to Mr. Gray's popularity. Mr. Taylor is keeping clear of personalities this ,time. THE SUBUP t BS. ' Mr. G. Witty (Government) will win Riccarton again, and Mr. Tanner ((Government) still looks like holding Avon against Mr. G. W. Russell (Government). OTHER DISTRICTS. In Lyttelton, Mr. G. Laurenson (Government) and Dr. Thaeker (Government) are still battling fiercely, the sitting member doing most of the scoring. Dr. Thaeker is being very generous to the electorate. The two young Liberals— Mr. G. Rennio in Ellesmere, and Mr. G. W. Forbes in Hurunui — aro continuing to do well, Mr. Rennie being faced by Mr. R. H. Rhodes (Opposition), and Mr. Forbes by several moderately strong men, including Mr. O F Clothier (Opposition). In Kaiapoi, tho sitting member, Mr. D. Buddo (Government) is rather improving his position, though Mr. R. Moore (Opposition) has a good chance.