HASTINGS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9543, 1 December 1893, Page 3

HASTINGS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

November 30, 1893. Within an extremely short space of time yesterday evening after it was generally known that Caproln Russell's seat for the Hawke's Bay district was secured to him the streets settled down to their normal quietude, and anyone who was not cognisant of the matter would scarcely have credited that so important a function as the declaration ol tbe poll bad just recently been performed ; iv fact, the town seemed to be quieter than is its I usual wont. Several incidents of a humorous nature occurred on the polling day, and one in particular created much amusement in tbe polling booth, A very respectable old lady advanced with tome trepidation to the returning officer, and demanded " a ticket for Tanner," and even after the due course of procedure had been explained to her she very much objeoted to leaving behind her the paper upon which she bad recorded her vote. In another instance a husband and wile approached, and not withstanding the fact, of which he was doubtless aware, that the laws of the

country had investi d the lady with power to act on ber own account, he determinedly demanded two paper*, and when put right on this ecoie and tbe partner of his joys and sorrows had received the coveted prize, he still thought it necessary to {iroceed into the same " cabinet particuaire " to see bow. the pencil was guided, One of the seoret lobbies, which were carefully draped with white sheeting, was formed by the prisoners' dock, and many a fair lsdy and virtuous maid who' would doubtless have shrunk with horror had they known their position, made their first appearance lo tbe dock on this occa sion, Whilst (peaking of the arrangements made for tbe polling, tbe excellence of which I have previously noted, I wish to express my thanks for the courtesy and attention given to the Press by tbe return ing officer, and tbe leadioess with which he gave the earliest possible information as to tbo returns, by means of which I I was able to keep you so well and quickly papplied with information np to a late hoar. It might not perhaps be out of place to mention that the Herald bffloe

here, which fur ihe past two duya hu> beeu a centre of attraction, waa, ihe plac from which the nervs of tbe actual resulr of tbe p'lll was first announced. ' The various returns of the outlying'districtand of the other constituencies were kep' constantly posted, and seemed to be muol appreciated by the general public, Shortly after the figures were made known showing Mr Keardon to be folding, an enthusiastic supporter proceeded to the front of Juli's hotel, and iv an Impressive speech congratulated the .'parly j on tbe occasion, dtclaring this to be the first time on record when the

! three Hawke's Bay province teats had been secured by tbe Government, ' Doubt less long ere this he h'ia recognised tbe truth of tbe old axiom as to the unhatched chickens. However, it is a good horse that, never stumbles, and taken ab round, I doubt if a more courteous, well conducted fight has been fonghb within the colony than the Hastings one. On Tuesday next a concert is to be held here iv aid of the disbiico school prizfund, and as considerable pains are being taken by tbe hea-l-master aud the teachers to get together a good programme, they are hoping for hearty Bapport from the parents ot the children and others. With reference to Mr Warren's com* plalnb respecting three electors a* Owhaoko haviDg their names atrnck off the roll, I have been shown by Sergeant Mitchell returned registered letters that were addres-ed to them, conveying notice of objection. One of those letters was addressed to Euripapango, and from there re-addressed to Owhaoko, whence with | the others ib was sent back to Sergeant Mitohell endorsed "Not at station." Perhaps Mr Warren will be able to tell how this occurred. Mr Montague Lascellrs offered ab auc'ion to day two va'uable leases, but speculation was not brisk enongb for sales to be effected. One property was the goodwill of the lease of "The Exchange," 17 years to run from Ist April next, at n ground rent of £12 10s per annum with right cf removal of all bnildings ab end nf term. The section has a frontage of 50 feet to Station-street. This property was passed lv at £600. The next offered was Mr R. Pitt's inberest in a lease, 11 years bo rim, of tbe premises occupied by Pitt and Co. and Blythe and Co, No offer was made for this.