GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 46, 27 September 1887, Page 2

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

THE EAST COAST ELECTORATE. YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS. Nevin before has the struggle for the return of a candidate to represent the East Coast Electorate occasioned so much excitement and party feeling. Up to the commencement of last week apparently little interest was taken in the contest, although a few of the suppor. ters of each of the candidates have been working quietly for it might have been eaid months back. The latter end of last week brought out the views of those most enthusiastic and

many were most pronounced in their ideas. Others, of course, preferred to remain silent, from, in some instances, a desire not to get mixed in any unseemly debate, and perhaps also from a business point of view. The actual struggle commenced on Friday night when the final addresses to the electors were commenced by Mr Gannon. That meeting was one that reflected credit on the elec, tors of this district. The order that prevailed would lead one to Suppose that it would be a forecast of future developments. Unfortu--nately this did not prove to be the case, for

more disgraceful meetings than those that took place on Saturday night never occurred in Gisborne. It is only natural to suppose that at the eleventh hour there should have been considerable excitement, but that this should hitve given rise to a disgraceful scene no one for a moment supposed. Fair play hid hitherto prevailed, and its continuation was looked dpon as a certainty. From the commencement of Mr McDonald's address it was apparent that this was not the case, for the interpolations were so often as to cause frequent disorder. Tne appeal from the Chairman to continue the fair play extended to a previous speaker was met with derision, and the proceedings continued amidst interruptions from Mr McDonald’s opponents. That every despicable measure was to bo resorted to “ smash ” up the meeting seemed to be further proved by the fact that when Mr McDonald had nearly terminated his address the alarm of fire was rung out. The alarm caused an immediate - out-cry, but it was soon sent round that the affair was a hoax to terminate the proceedings, and after inquiries seem to bear this out. There was a blaze down on the Waikanae—evidently a part of a pi'e-concerted scheme. The act was a diabolical one, and was justly stigmatised by all as such. Not alone was the hall crowded by electors, but the gallery was occupied by a large number of ladies. The effect el the alarm occasioned great fright, and a general stampede for the doors was only prevented by the presence |l° mind of a number of the electors. As it was one man was knocked down and was only rescued from being trampled to death by others who dragged him to his feet. A lady fainted, and others suffered considerbly from the fright. The police have the matter

in hand, and every right thinking person will agree with Us in wishing that the offender may be found and prlniahed with the extreme penalty of the law. After Mr McDonald's meeting Mr Graham addressed the electors in Parnell's Hall. The proceedings were of the most disorderly nature, and it was only at intervals that the candidate could be heard. At the termination eggs were thrown amongst the audience, an act that very rightly turned popular feeling with the candidate. No matter what is the result Gisborne will have to bear the onus of having countenanced two most disgraceful politica l meetings, and outside opinion, when the news is made known, must be anything but edifying to us. Yesterday morning the candidates and their supporters were early astirand the opening of the polling booth meant the individual canvassing by one or the other. Conveyances of all descriptions were engaged taking the " free and independent ” elector* to the poll, and every effort was being strained by the candidates and supporters, to secure a return satisfactory to themselves. Up to noon there wa* vety little excitenient, though the interest evinced was intense. Business was practically at a standstill, and groups of electors might have been seen discussing the merits and probable chances at the three candidates. It is a healthy sign to see enthusiasm displayed on a matter which must in the immediate future affect the interests of the district. Everyone will be heartily glad now tha struggle is nearly over. The result will be the verdict of the majority, and with that we hope the minority will extend every assistance, and in the future may everyone work for the welfare ci the district.

As the day advanced so did the exeitetnen increase. Many of the electors wore th colours of their candidate, Circulars wer issued galore, and there was every prospea of a elose finish. Great anxiety was expressed at the possibility of the poll being closed before all the votes were recorded. At noon the polling was being recorded at a very slow rate, and it was almost a certainty that if the delay in the necessary formula continued, a number of votes would have to be rejected. Each candidate arrived at this conclusion, and they strained every nerve to secure the votes of their supporters early With the latter part of the afternoon commenced the real excitement. Large crowds of people were collected at the lower end of the town, these becoming a huge mass when two politicians imbued with different ideas on the relative merits of the candidates, came to high words in discussing the good points in their favorite leaders. But only one fight occurred, and this ended in mere sound and fury. The polling went on slowly but surely, and there appeared more chance of everyone being able to record his vote than was at first anticipated. The supporters of each candidate strove harder than ever, and the securing of the last few votes seemed to be a specia object. The excitement, lightened by banter and fun, grew more intense as the hour for closing drew near. At one place a man with a War Cry in his hands caused considerable amusement with his “ gag.” and at another place a worthy elector calling out the pro. bable result of the poll. With various other items a continual interest was kept up, and with the exception of a little heated discussion here and there everything was good-humoured, and there was a genera' wish of good-fellowship between one and all. One incident caused great amusement. An elector, after having voted, dropped his paper through a crack in the polling booth. The policeman who was in attendance and the voter had to crawl under the Court House to recover the lost paper, and after a lengthy search it was evi ntually found. The occasion was seized by the supporters of the various candidates to pass some very humorous remarks. The poll closed at six o'clock without anything occuring to debar voters. There were about 820 votes recorded up to the closing hour. The trouble, turmoil, and anxiety of the day were over as far as Gisborne was concerned, and no one was sorry for it. Shortly after seven o’clock a crowd commenced to gather again. The return from Ormond was the first received, the other places following shortly after. From these it was evident that

Mr Gr-ham’s chance* were far and away above those of hit opponents. As etoh return came in it was received with cheer* from Mr Graham’s support*™. Shortly after eight o'clock the Returning Officer announced the Gisborne returns, giving Mr McDonald 900, Mr Graham 200, and Mr Gannon 180 ( This return virtually decided the elaotioni After a short time Mr Graham ascended the balcony of tha Albion Hoti and amidst cheers and groans, returned thanks in a few words. Th* other two flandi-' dates did not return thanks. Dtiribg th* evening there were several disputes, but nothing of a serious nature occurred,

ORMOND, McDonald ~, |1 Graham ~, ... ,ii 09 Ganrv>n -,i ...28 luiormal ~, 8 WAIROA. Gannon ... 61 McDonald ... M Gr-ham 87 TOLOGA BAY. Graham ... ... ..; ..I 88 McDonald 23 Gannon 14 MAHIA. Graham ... 20 McDonald ... 11 Gannon ... 4 PATUTAHI. Graham ... ... ... 57 McDonald ... ... 87; , Gannon „< 0 TE ARAL Graham 68 McDonald 10 Gannon ..i u. ... 4 Hakak.a. Graham ... 42 McDonald 4 Gannon 2 ’ Informal 1 i GISBORNE. McDonald ... 806 Graham 299 Gannon 186 FRASERTOWN. Graham .. .. .. 23 McDonald .. .. .. 13 Gannon 8 WHATUTU. Graham .. .. .. 23 McDonald .. .. .. 7 Gannon 4 WAIMATA. Graham 17 Gannon 0 McDonald 0 WHATATUTU. Grahatn ... ... »• 28McDonald 8 Gannon 1 TOTALS. Graham 7CB McDonald ■■ •• ■< 548 Gannon 311 Majority for Graham >t 157 The returni receive! from outside electee* ates up to the time of our going to press are as appended Dunedin—Allen, beating ths Premier, Sit Robert Stout. Napier—Ormond. Newton—Tole (Minister tor Justice) wig defeated. Te Aro—Menteath. Wanganui—Ballance, beating Carson Ijf 300 votes. Setwyn—Sir John Hall, beating McLiuchlin. Waipawa—Harkcr. Woodville—Smith. Hutt—Fitzherbert. Hawkes Bay—Russell. Egmont—AtkinSdn; Thorndon—Newman. Christchurch North—Voge’. Wellington—Fisher. Waipawa—Tanner, not Harker, Maurikau—O'Rorke. Wellington South—lzard, Dunedin South—Fitly. Dutiedin Oentrrl -Fitohst.