MR O'REGAN'S DEFEAT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIV, Issue 292, 13 December 1899, Page 4

MR O'REGAN'S DEFEAT.

Reefton, December 12 Mr O'Rfgan received a great ■ vation on his arrival here fr m W»s'port. Addressing the crowd, he said nis defeat wes due chiefly to the fac that the prejudices of an ignorant lection of the el* o'^rs »ere stirred up ab.uc the Twsvaal war. Paid emissaries were secretly tent among the eleotors with extracts from speeches of Irish members of the House of Commons, and he was secretly accused of h ildin* the same view*, although the persons responsible for this trick knew it was tahe. He had also lost a lot of support through not patronising the hotels. Though his opponents thought they had attended his political funeral, he was still a very live corpse, and would yet give the enemy plenty of trouble. The following telegram sent by Mr Bedd<n to Mr J. Oolvio, v-ho defeated Mr O'Kegan for the Boiler seat, explains the Premier's feelings on the matier; — "Accept my congratulations. The majority of Buller el^ctora c have decided that you should represent 'hem. I trust that any local irritation that may have been engendered will now disappear My position between two Mends, bith Government supporters, was rather delicate, and I followed the usuil custom. Mr O'Regan was a very good member, and the loss of his services will be Mt, Now that the fight is over, I h>pp, as old West Coasters and friends, we will shake hands."