THE WAIPA ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5207, 25 July 1878, Page 2

THE WAIPA ELECTION.

RETURN OF MR. McMIWN. Ever since the retirement of Mr. Cox, the election for Waipa has attracted much attention in Auckland. Mr. F. A. Whitaker was early in the field, and in a very short time published a strong requisition, comprising about 200 electors. Mr. Whitaker was a resident in the district of considerable standing, thoroughly identified with it, and known throughout all the settlements. He also repeatedly and forcibly stated his determination to support the present Ministry in the measures which are expected from it. It was thought by a gond many that in the circumstances, Mr. Whitaker would not be opposed, or that he could not be successfully opposed. However, a " walk-ever" was not to be allowed, and the candidate selected was certainly the best to put forward to fight the battle with Mr. Whitaker. Air. McMino, who, when he came forward to oppose Mr. Cox, was almost an unknown man, fought a hard battle, and made himself favourably known during the contest. In consequence, he came forward this time much better able to fight from having fought before, and not with the usual reputation o£ a "beaten horse." Mr. MoMinn is highly esteemed by those who know him, and throughout the present contest, as in thelast, hehas shewn considerable ability, and has uniformly conducted himself as a gentleman. When the contest was fairly entered upon, both parties set to work with, great vigour. Mr. McMinn was strongly supported by the Government, and it is wellkno wnthat thellinisterialsupport in any Auckland constituency, at the present time, is almost omnipotent. Everything was doco by Ministers that could possibly be done. Mr. Whitaker'a supporters were in no way behind in their exertions in the district. A good deal of influence upon Waipa emanates from Auckland, and Mr. McMinn's friends looked closely after the Auckland votes, with the result partly shewn by the record from Mercer, where 45 votes were recorded for McMinn, and 19 for Whitaker. Several residents in Auckland who have votes and interest in Raglan and other places, loft for the scene of action some days ago. .

We are enabled by telegraph to give the numbers polled at all the polling-places of the Waipa district, except lisglan, which lies far out of the track of the -wire. There are, indeed, no telegraph-stations at Paterangi, Whatawhata, or Ohaupo, but the returns from these places Wβ have obtained by mounted messengers despatched to the nearest telegraph-office whenever the poll was declared. There are, we believe, about GOO voters on the Waipa roll, and when the Raglan numbers are added, it will be found that over 500 have voted, which shews the keenness of the contest. As the numbers at present stand, Mr. McMinn has a majority of 32, and it is expected that that majority will be considerably increased by the Kaglan votes. But for the native votes and the votes

from Auckland, the contest would have been an exceedingly close one. Iα the contest in January, ISG7, between Mr. Cox and Mr. McMinn, Mr. Cox polled 19S votes, and Mr. McMinn 177, shewing a majority of 21 for Mr. Cox. The Hamilton vote was, C 2 for Cox, and only G for McMinn, but the Raglan, vote was as follows : — McMinn, 35; Cox, 7. It is said that a larger number of voters at Eaglan are now on the roll than in 1576, so that it is evident Mr. Me Minn's majority on the whole constituency will be a very substantial one. Yesterday morning, a special "train left the Auckland station at 11 o'clock, with voters for both candidates. There were over 60 electors in the train, which stopped at Mercer, the nearest polling-place. Mr. J. S. Macfarlane, M.H. 8., went by the train to record his vote, choosing rather to delay hia appearance at the House of Representatives than to deprive his favourite candidate of his vote.

A reporter, who went up to Waikato in the morning train, telegraphed as follows in the forenoon :— Hamilton, Wednesday. The election is proceeding very quietly. Mr. Whitaker expect 3 a good majority here. Mr. Whitaker's friends are not so jubilant as they were. His most ardent supporters say it is a toss-up, with Mr. Whitaker slightly for choice. He is at Mercer, watching the Auckland votes. A number of Tamahere natives wore brought up from the Thames by Mr. W. H. Kissling and Mr. W. A. Graham. Mr. McMinn's friends on the railway route are in good spirits, and it is difficult to attempt to forecast, but I think, from what I can learn, that McMinn will have a small majority.

The following are the returns by telegraph from our own correspondents at the different stations :— MERCER. 4.40 p.m. The following are the votes recorded here : McMinn 45 Whitaker 19 Informal 2 Of these, 46 came by special train. Everything passed off quietly, and the utmost good feeling pre Tailed. NGARUAWAHIA. 5 p.m. Whitaker 2S MoMinn 18 TE AVfAXUTO , . 5 p.m. MoMinn 5S Whitaker 21 There wag great excitement in this neighbourhood throughout the day. HAMILTON. 4.20 p.m. Every elector polled. There was intense excitement. The following are the numbers :— Whitaker 90 McMinn 15 AtEXAXDRA. 4.20 p.m. McMinn 41 Whitaker 22 PATERANGI. 4.15 D.m. McMinn 16 Whitaker ... 2 Everything passed off quietly. WUATA'SYHATA. 4.30 p.m. McMinn 3i Whitaker U OHATJPO. 4.30 p.m. Whitaker 27 McMinn - a Our reporter, telegraphing from Hamilton in the evening, says : The returns from Kagl.-m will be in tomorrow, and McMinn will gain, probably, 20 votes, so that the total majority for McMinn will bo about 50. The natives, 1G in number, led by Major Te Wheoro, voted in a block for McMinn at "Whaiawhata. Out of 25 voters on the roll, two are dead and 20 are known to have voted for MeMicn. It is rumoured th.-.t money was abundant at Te Awamutu. Several voters were offered situations as check-clerks at £1 per day. Hamilton, which was jubilant at 4 p.m., is now below zero. The poll will be declared at noon to-morrow (Thursday). Your correspondent has to thank Mr. Searancke, K.M., Returning Officer, for affording every facility and supplying returns from outdistricts promptly.

SUMMARY OF RETURNS. McMinn. Whitaker. Mercer 45 lj> Ngaruawahia 18 To Awamutu... ... 3S -1 Hamilton 15 90 Alexandra « 22 Pateraugi 10 2 "Whatawlmta 3-1 11 Ohaupo 25 -' Total "252 lio Majority for LIcJIinn ... 3"