GENERAL ELECTIONS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 108, 19 November 1908, Page 5

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Taumarunui Seat. The first contest for the new electorate of Taumarunui, resolved itself into a straight out fight between a supporter of the present Government, and an oppositionist. Mr Jennings had the advantage of being well known throughout the district as greater portion of his old electorate was thrown into the new district. In addition, an excellent record of hard and assiduous work in the interests of the electorate was to his credit, and in many instances party considerations were disregarded. ! and votes cast in appreciation of the good work accomplished. Mr Bowater, who espoused the cause of the opposition, although beaten decisively, polled surprisingly well in some districts. It was always recognised that Mr Jennings had a stx-ong hold on the seat, and in accepting defeat from an old and tried campaigner Mr Bowater has no cause to feel ashamed of his position. In the larger centres in the electorate, the returns in most instances show a very strong majority for Mr Jennings. Waitara, Te Kuiti, Ohakune, Taumarunui, together averaging about three to one in his favour, while Otorohanga, and a number of the smaller places showed very even voting. The Ohakune results came as rather a surprise as it was expected that Mr Bowater would make ground in the portion of the electorate, where he is well known. The results at the various polling places are as follows: —■ Poll Bowater, Jennings. Waitara 124 376 Huirangi 24 7 Tikorangi 78 26 Onaero 13 12 Urenui 54 80 Uruti 23 53 Tongaporutu 2 23 Okau 9 28 Tongaporutu Ferry 1 17 Awakino 19 41 Mahoenui 8 21 Aria 18 64 Pio Pio 6 * 15 Te Kuiti 68 191 Mangapehi 11 36 Ongarue 8 29 Matapuna 4 39 Matiere 36 38 Otorohanga 69 72 Hangatiki 5 6 Waitomo 7 13 Tokaanu 6 12 Karioi 92 8 Raurimu 15 69 Raetihi 80 152 Waiouru 12 16 Rangataua 18 72 Kawhia 21 45 Te Maite 22 Kinohaku 31 27 Kokahi 11 93 Mangaturoa 13 17 Waiharakeke 15 1 Sentry Hill 37 24 Peamako 13 3-5 Proud and Abbots 9 21 Okake 5 12 Opapau 15 25 Brixton 16 27 Ohakune Station 24 120 Ohakune Hall 71 181 Otangiwai 17 20 Pukearuhe 3 6 Hauturu 3 6 Mangaroa 22 57 Manunui 36 76 Taumarunui 37 144 Erua 1 21 Puketarata 9 10 Horopito 11 119 Pipiriki 7 7 Ore Ore 50 6 Mokau 8 34 Kaeaea 8 14 Towaglen 7 2 Paro-o-taroa. 12 16 Mairoa 17 15 Toroto Road 12 7 Ratanui 1 10 Waitangi Kauaru 12 27 Niho Niho 9 23 Oio 2 14 Te Rauamoa 5 41 Gosnell's 7 16 Waitetuna 11 12 Tiroa 6 12 Teawaroa 5 11 Waitangi 0 24 Tatu 8 14 Tokirima 14 13 Puketotara 2 19 Mangahoe 3 10 Kakepnku 0 6 Te Maita 4 5 Te Anga 1 17 Ngapaenga 1 13 Budden's 15 *l3 Mangaotaki 10 14 Ruatiti 0 12 Kaitieke 10 26 Piriaka 4 21 Orautoha 19 17 Johnston Caves Road 2 13 Oparure 0 1 Otonui 0 6 Makatakia 6 17 Maryville 4 13 Sulphur Stream 1 44 Mokau River 1 7 Waitanga 0 7 Mataihiwi 0 0 Jerusalem 2 6

"A freehold victory" is the term freely used in connection with the general election, and a careful study of the results substantially confirms such a verdict. Commencing with the defeat of the Minister of Lands in a straight out contest, the return of pronounced freeholders in all the country electorates, and a large number of the town and suburban constituencies is very convincing. The people of the Dominion have voted freehold, and disturbing land legislation is not likely to be experienced during the life of the present Parliament. In addition—possibly as a natural accompaniment —the opposition party has been materially strengthened, though the Government has still a very pronounced majority. In consequence of the inauguration of the second ballot, eighteen or twenty seats

are still undecided, and though the results will probably have little effect upon the relative strength of the rival parties, there is still an element of [ doubt as to the personnel of our next Parliament. The most striking feature of the election is naturally the unseating of a Minister and the defeat of Mr McNab following upon the retirement of Mr Hall-Jones will work a radical change in the ministerial ranks. It was widely held that Sir William Russell would be returned for his old seat, but though he has a lead in the first ballot, it appears extremely probable that Mr Dillon will score a victory at the second ballot. At Auckland Central, Mr Glo%'er succeeded against Mr Kidd by a surprising majority, while the other sitting members for city and suburbs retained their seats. In Waikato the contest was keen, but Mr Greenslade kept the opposition at bay. The Taranaki province has decided for a change in representation, and Mr Major and Mr Simes are numbered among the defeated. The following are the results :

NORTH ISLAND. Bay of Islands V. H. Reed G. Marsden. F. Mander O. Kaipara. J. Stall worthy G. Auckland West. C. H. Foole G. Auckland East F. E. Baume G. Auckland Central. A. E. Glover G. Grey Lynn. Hon. G. Fowlds G. Eden. J. Bollard 0. Parnell. F. Lawry G. Manukau. F. W. Lang O. Franklin. W. F. Massey 0. Thames. Hon. J. McGowan G. Ohinemuri. H. Poland G. Waikato. H. J. Greenslade G. Tauranga. W. H. Herries O. Taumarunui. W. T. Jennings G. Gisborne. Hon. J. Carroll G. Napier. J. Vigor-Brown G. Waipawa. C. Hall G. Masterton. A. W. Hogg G. Wairarapa. W. C. Buchanan O. Taranaki. H. .J Okey 0. Patea. Cr. V. Pearce 0.. Stratford. J. B. Hine O. Rangitikei. A. E. Remington G. Wanganui. J. T. Hogan G. Otaki. W. H. Field G. Hutt. T. M. Wilford G. Wellington Central. F. M. B. Fisher I. SOUTH ISLAND. Motueka» R. McKenzie G. Wairau. J Duncan O. Buller. J. Colvin G. Grey. Hon. A. R. Guinness G. Westland. T. E. Y. Seddon G. Kaiapoi. D. Buado G. Riccarton. G. Witty G. Christchureh North. T. E, Taylor I. Christchureh South. H„ G. Ell G. Christchureh East. T. H. Davey G. Lyttelton. G. Lauremon G. Ellesmere. R. H. Rhodes 0. Selwyn. C. A. C. Hardy 0. Waitaki. Sir W. J. Steward G. Oamaru. Hon. T. Y. Duncan G. Chalmers. E. G. Allen G. Dunedin Central. J. F. Arnold G. Dunedin South. T. K. Sidey G. Dunedin West. Hon. J. A Millar G. Bruce. J. Allen O. Taieri. T. MacKenzie G. Clutha. A. S. Malcolm 0. Mataura. G. J. Anderson O. Awarua. Sir J. G. Ward G. Invercargill. J. A. Hanan G. SECOND BALLOTS. Waitemata. Bay of Plenty, Hawke's B ay. Pahiatua. Egmont. Oaoua. Pal mere ton. Manawatu. Wellington Suburbs. Nelson. Wellington North. Hurunui. Wellington South. Avon. Wellington East. Ashburton. Timaru. Tuapeka. Dunedin North. Geraldine.