MR BRYCE'S PETITION.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 61, 1 November 1887, Page 2

MR BRYCE'S PETITION.

Never in any previous election contest have we heard so many charges of alleged bribery and corruption as have been produced by the last election. It was amusing to read that nearly all over the colony unsuccessful candidates had been defeated by gentlemen who utterly disregarded the clauses of the Corrupt Practices Act, and it was announced that petitions galore were to be lodged against those elected. These threats, however, have died a natural death in every-mstanee but two. Mr Wj Pere. has taken the necessary steps to unseat Mr J. Carroll, as has Mr J. Bryce to declare the election of Mr Hutchinson; for Waitotara, void. It will be remembered that some time ago Mr Bryce was asked by his supporters to lodge a protest against the return of his Opponent, but that he declined to do so, probably on the grounds of not seeing a chance of being successful. Of all the unsuccessful candidates during the election the failure of Mr Bryce to regain his old seat was regretted by all who have watched his actions in the past. At the very time when the affairs of the colony demanded the attention of clear-headed politicians the defeat of so able a gentleman was looked upon as a public calamity. Although, as we have before stated, this district has not much benefited by the actions of the ex-Native Minister when in office, no one can but feel glad that there is a prospect of his being able to annul the election which was so unfortunate as to place a man infinitely his inferior at the head of the poll. That Mr Bryce has lodged his petition, after mature consideration, plainly shows that he is sanguine of success, or he would never have consented to take the course he has chosen. There can be no doubt that the proceedings which will shortly take place will be watched with great interest all over the colony, and all will hope that his action is so well founded as to produce another election. That he will not take the seat should he be successful is characteristic of the man, but he can afford to be generous in this respect for assuredly he would be again returned were another contest to take place. His presence in the House at the present juncture of affairs would prove of immense value. Drastic retrenchment is about to take place, and Mr Bryce would be the one whom the country would look to to see that Major Atkinson would carry out his pledges with a steady hand, and not allow himself, in his desire to effect economy, to do so at the expense of those districts which have hitherto received none of the benefits so liberally conferred upon the larger towns.