Election Items.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 215, 14 November 1896, Page 2

Election Items.

A proclamation was gazetted yesterday dissolving Parliament and the issue of the writs, together with the announcement of election day may be expeoted at any time, consequently voters whose names are not already registered will do well to take time by the forelock and forward their claims for enrolment immediately. The Dunedin Women's Christain Temperance Union has decided to support Messrs Begg, Hutchison and Earnshaw for the City. "You know whom I mean by the 'fat man •?" said Mr Seddon in the conrse of his speech at the Upper Hutt on Saturday night ; ■ and a voice from the back of the hall said " The Premier." Mr T. Duncan, speaking at Oamaru, said it was necessary that Mr McKenzie should have his son in the Government employ,- as he could not trust many of the civil servants." Mr McNab was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence at Portrose on Tuesday night. It is more than probable that the Hon. 3. McKenzie will have a walk-over for Waihemo, a3 no other candidate is announced as yet. Mr J. T. M. Hornsby, well-knotaiin Southland, and now sub editor of the- New Zealand Times,' will contest the Wairarapa seat, against Mr Buchanan, in the Government interest. An absurd rumor is current that the Hon. G. F. Richardson, in the event of being elected, would oppose the privileges as those now granted to Protestant school children' by the railway authorities being continued to Catholic children. We need hardly state that such a report is utterly opposed to fact. Mr W. Fraser spoke at Cromwell on Saturday night in presence of a large number of the electors, receiving a vote of thanks and confidence. As at Gore, so at Woodlands and Rimu, ' the audiences attending tie Hon. G. F. ' Richardson's meetings exceeded the Bitting accommodation available. The receptions " he received at both places were enthusiastic and hearty. At Kimu on Thursday evening (Mr Henry Dawson presiding), Mr'Riehardson spoke for an hour and a-half , and was ' frequently applauded. A motion of thanks and confidence in him as a fit and proper person to represent the Mataura electorate was carried by a large majority, three-fourths of those present voting. A motion of thanks only found no seconder. At the close of the meeting a strong committee was enrolled to work in Mr Richardson's interest. A correspondent at Owaka writes :— -We have just had a visit from Mr T. Aysos, who addressed meetings ir> several places in" the neighborhood, and was well received throughout indeed, at Tahatika and Batanui his reception was no doubt most flattering to him, and gained him ground all over the Catlins district. The very practical nature of his address, and his large grasp of the political questions of the day, combined with a frank and open manner in answering questions, has secured him hosts of support. The ' Advocate ' is informed on what appears to be good authority that the Rev. E. Walker intends contesting the Taieri seat in the Prohibition interest. We understand that the Premier will shortly visit the Wakatlpu, Clutha, and Matauva Electorates, for the purpose of delivering addresses in the interests of the Government candidates in those districts. Mr S. Vaile, Independent, Liberal and railway reformer, is oat for Parnell. Mr J. W. Thompson addressed meetings during last week at Warepa, Romahapa, Puerua, and Waitepeka. The attendances were large at each meeting, and the candidate was well received. A correspondent writes: — Mr Thomson addressed the electors at Pomohaka on ■ Wednesday evening last. The night was fine, and there was a large attendance, almost every person in the district being present. Mr Thomson spoke for an hour . and a-half, and was well received. The settlers there showed that they were well up in politics, by asking a great many sensible questions. The answers given were to the point, and created considerable amusement. Mr Maxwell moved that the meeting thank Mr Thomson for his luoid and straightforward address, remarkingjihat the way in which the questions were^f&fswered showed he was well up in politicaUflformation. Mr McGregor seconded the motion, whioh was carried with applause. In returning thanks, . Mr Thomson gave the settlers credit. for beiog thinking men, and remarked that some of the questions were new to him, and were well worthy of consideration. A vote of thanks to Mr Watt, the chairman, brought the meeting to a close. • ■ Mr Edie addressed the eleotors at Eelso on . Tuesday evening, when about 60 or 70 people assembled. Mr Fraser Falconer waß voted to the chair. Mr Edie's speech" was a resume of his address at other centres. No questions of importance were asked the candidate. The meeting closing witha hearty vote of thanks to the speaker, and the usual compliment to the chair. Mr W. B. Scandrett addressed the eleotors of Invercargill last night, and reoeived votea of thanks and con fidence.