THE NORTH FRANKLIN ELEGTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6421, 16 June 1882, Page 5

THE NORTH FRANKLIN ELEGTION.

The polling for the election of a member to represent Franklin North in the General Assembly took place yesterday. The candidates were Major Harris (the late sitting member) and Mr. W. P. Buckland (who contested the seat with Major Harris at the last general election. The interest in the election was very keen, owing to the issue being narrowed down to a personal strugglo between the two candidates. The principal polling place was Otahuhu, where Mr. Cotter, the Eeturning Officer, took his station. Early in the day the police at Ofcahuhu telegraphed to the Auckland police authorities for assistance, and a further reinforcement of three constables was sent out. Nothing is yet known as to the reason why the request was made, but it is presumed political feeling ran high, and that some drunken disturbances took place. A goodly number of Auckland citizens voted at the Otahuhu station for the respective candidates, and the_ carriages of private citizens were in requisition for conveying voters thither during the day. It will be seen from the returns to hand that there were 113 more votes polled at Otahuhu this election than last. The following are the returns yet received, and they give Major Harris a present majority of 29 : — Harris. Buckland. j Otahuhu ... ... 227 187 j Papakura 104 59 Mangere ... ... 31 64 Howick ... ... 69 69 Turanga 7 30 Returns from the following stations are yet to come in :—Wairoa South, Papakura Valley, and Waiheke.