THE Pahiatua Seat.

Manawatu Standard, 29 July 1904, Page 5

THE Pahiatua Seat.

Goyernment Candidate _)e_eatedi

Return of W. H. Hawkins.

.The bye-election for the Pahiatua seat rendered vacant.by .the- sad death of Mr J. Q'Meara, was held yesterday, intense interest being taken throughout tlnr wh ole /colony in the result. - As is well known, thsre-were five candidates —Messrs W. H.Hawkins (Independent Liberal and Prohibitionist), T.-L Bui"k (Government), S. Bolton (Opposition), D. Crowe (Government),-).Munro (Opposition). Although in tho curly stage's of the contest'it was generally believed that Mr Bolton had a fair chance of boing elected, yet as* the polling day .was approached it became to be recognised that the real fight lay between Messrs Buick and Hawkins. As anticipated the latter's vigorous opposition to the Crovernment policy secured him the support of many electors who would otherwise.have voted for Mr Bohon. The contest was one of the keenest held 'in. the colony. The Government, evidently fearing the defeat of. thencandidate, endeavoured to influence votes on his behalf, Sir, Joseph Ward, the, Hon. T.. Y. Duncan (Minister for Jfnds). Messrs jlogs and Laurensbn,.! M. sH.R. visiting the electorate in the interests of the party. Mr W. W. Collins also deliverad an address in Pabiatua on the " _fo-lieense, _\To-liquo>-question." ..'■-•■■

Mr Hawkin's cause was advocated by Mr.. Taylor, M.H.R., while Mr Bedford. M.H.R, delivered an address in support of Prohibition and in reply to Mr Collins. ■''.''•■■■

■As an indication.of the interest taken in the contest Ike Manawatu Standard Offioe was besieged with enquiries last, evening as to the result of the polling', details ol which were received at this office as the returns were' available. To many the result came as a sut prise, but to those who have closely watched the trend of recent events Mr Hawkins' return was not une„peei~d. .Prom" the figures published below it will be seen that many Opposition supporters deserted Mr Bolton for Mr H_w. tins, while Messrs Crewe and Munro never had the remotest chance of being returned, the candidature of these gentlemen not being taken seriously. Although the loss of the seat does not materially affect tho position of the parties in the House, yet the result of the election is generally- regarded as a serious reverse to the Government as showing the trend of public feelinc "" -^ - a The.following are the official returns from the various polling places :—

Totals. Hawkins 1418 .-: Buick ... ... .. t 1323 Bolton ... , 476 Crewe '..'.'. ... ... 138 Munro ... ... .... ,14 D. Munro secured 2 votes at Mangatainoka, Tat-Rakanui, 2 at Herbertville; 6 at Weber, 1 atWaipatiki, and 2 at Ti Tree Pomt; total 14. Informal votes 28 Majority for W. H. Hawkins 95. ■ Messrs Crewe and Munro will forfeit their deposits.

(Per Press Association)., Pahiatua, July 29. ; Great interest was evinced yesterday in the contest for the Pahiatua seat and a large crowd waited until about'll p.m, to hear the address from Mr Hawkins, the news of his return "having reached town about an hour previously.- He was received with cheers. In thanking his supporters he said the victory would be regarded as a national one in view of the action of the.Mihistry in not leaving a stone unturned to retain the seat. At a later stage Mr Buick appeared and thanked those who had voted for him.

H t) B Q 5 ' S* s: 2 **■•*? 2 5 Woodland's .Road 50 3 11 0 Kumeroa ... . .... 24 54 27 2 Makuri ... ... 26 31 32 2.'. Mangatainoka ... 78 112 33 22 Pongoroa 42 46 9 4 Manga-atua ... 18 14 9 0 Pahiatua ... ... 354 248 58 69 Scarborough ... 51 30 2 2 Matahiwi ; .. ... 4 14 7 0 Rakanm ... ... 15 25 8 0 Konini ... ... 84 42 14 5 Mangahao ... 32 11 0 0 Woodville... ...274 260 98 11 Ballance ... ... 70 23 4 2 Herbertville • . ... 12 25 5 0 Waione ... ... 23 16 1 0 Kaitawa. ... ... 20 29 9 1 Ngatim ... ... 41 14 7 0 Tane ... ... 13 3 SI Akitio 1 17 10 1' Mancatoro... ... 0 9 5 0 . Weber ... 5 48 13 0 Wimbleton ... 1 22 7 0 Waipatiki... ... 2 12 3 0 Ti Tree Point ... 87 2 0 Waitahora... ... 0 15 7 0 Mangamaire ... 9 11 4 4 Maharahara ... 10 56 4, ■ 1 Hutewai ... ... 3 6 7 0 Aohanga 0 3 2 0 Makairo ... • ... 14 6 11 2 Kohinui ... ... 6 6 19 0 Makomako ... 32 15 0 1 Horoeka ... ... ' 7 18 11 0 Maugatiki ... 13 9 '4 1 Goonoor ...< ... 14 9 5 0 Maku ..,/■■■-. ... 14 10 8 3 Nikau ... ... 19 5 3 0 Eaituna ... ... 5 1] o 1 Marima ... ...16 15 2 1 Waiowaka..; ... 0 2 7 0 Waikereru .... 5 70 2 Pakowai ... . ... 0 4 0 0