NOTES FROM THE CHIEF CENTRES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 125, 25 November 1908, Page 3

NOTES FROM THE CHIEF CENTRES.

CANTERBURY. [By Telegbai-h. — SrECiAL xo The Post.] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. A good deal of interest was taken in the second ballots in Canterbury and the contests provided one surprise. Few. people had expected that Mr. W. W. Tanner, after 18 years of continuous service in the House as^ a member of the Liberal Party, would be defeated by Mr. G. W. Russell, a Liberal who has sat in Parliament, but who in 1902 and 1905 was defeated in Riccarton. The politics of the two men were similar and the contest was fought on purely personal 'grounds, a good deal of bitterness being imported into the campaign. Mr. Russell had a similar lead at the first "poll, when three other candidates wcie in the field, and yesterday he iron by a handsome majority. The succses of My. W. Nos worthy (Opposition) in Ashburton was natural after the heavy Opposition vote cast at the first ballot, but many Liberals had hoped that Mr. F. R. Flatman (Go\en»ment) would win. In Hurunui, Ueraldine, and Timaru, the Government men were expected to win, and did so. The success of Mr. Craigie in Timaru was a real triumph for the Government, for the candidate gave lv» supporters very little help indeed. AUCKLAND. ißr Tele<*baki.— Sruu^Ai. to The .Vost.J AUCKLAND, This Day. An unexpected measure of interest was taken in the Waitemata second ballot, and the total number of votes polled at the booths from which returns are to hand . was slightly in excoss of the total rccoided at the first ballot. Mr. Phillipps, who obtained a majority of 909 at the first ballot, secured almost the same majority yesterday, viz., 891, and probably it will be 900 when the remaining small returns arrive In his speech after ,the result was announced, Mr. Napier, whilst acknowledging the handsome manner in which Mr. Phillipps had personally conducted the contest, charged one or two of his supporters with behaving like larrikins, and stooping to unjustifiable tlander. He announced his intention of contesting the seat again next election. OTAGO. 'Bl TEtEGRAPH.—RPKOIAI. TO THE POST.} DUNEDIN, This Day. The general anticipation that a close finish would be provided in Dunedin North was fully borne out. "It is impossible to pick it," was the remark frequently heard as the day progressed, and the surmise that less than fifty votes would separate the two candidates proved correct. The actual result — a ! majority of two — was the closest for a Parliamentary election known in Dunedin. Even now the result is in the balance, for some seamen's votes have to cone in, and the lerount will be looked for with the greatest . interest. Mr. Thompson lost fully fifty votes by students beings away from Otago Univer- j sity owing to recess, while Mr. Millar's letter to Mr. Barclay, that the Government preferred him to his opponent, helped to harden wavering Ministerialists. Mr. Scott's return xor Tuapeka was anticipated, but the rejection of Mr. Allen in favour of Mr. Clark was not looked for, particularly after the intervention of the Minister of Marine at Port Chalmers on Monday night. So far as Otago is concerned, all three who headed the poll a week ago failed i to retain their position. '