THE GENERAL ELECTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7976, 16 June 1887, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTION

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Wellington, Wednesday. I hear from the Hon. Mr. Tole to-day that he will shortly proceed to Auckland to address his constituents.

Sir Robert Stout, I learn from the same source, will go to Dunedin, probably about the end of next week.

Sir G. Grey informed me this morning that he had telegraphed to his constituents that he would address them aB soon as they would fix a day for his meeting them, after his arrival in Auckland.

Nothing appears to be known as yet of the Treasurer's movements.

Mr, William McLean is to oppose Dr. Newman for Thorndon.

I understand that Mr. Bruce, M.H. R. (Rangitikei), will shortly commence a series of "free trade" lectures in Wellington. He appears to be much disgusted with the meeting of protectionists recently held at the Wellington Athemeum,

The Times is accused by the Post this evening of ratting in the most olumsy way.

Mr. Scobie McKenzie is also spoken of as likely to become a conspicuous exponent of the " free trade " platform. The following short colloquy possesses some interest just now. Sir George Grey passed by as 1 was talking to a friend on Lambton Quay. "Good morning, Sir George," said my friend. "Good morning, Smith, how are you?" said the old man eloquent. "I understand the Premier goes to Dunedin shortly to open the campaign," said Smith. " 1 shall be there too," quoth Sir George Grey, " Good bye, Smith."

Claims to vote are still coming in to Mr. Collins at the rate of about 800 per day.

It Is reported as possible that Mr. Bryce may retire from public lite.

Mr. G. E. Alderton will be a candidate for Marsden.

The Hon; William Rolleston will offer himself for re election to the Geraldine seat at the general election. Mr. E. Acton has declined to be a candidate for the Gladstone seat at the general election.

Mr. W. F. Bucklancl will address the electors of Frauklyn North at Otahuhu on Thursday next.

Mr. W. Hutchinson has been presented at a Protection League meeting with a requisition, signed by 205 persons in the Roslyn electorate, asking him to come out in the Protection and Vogel interest.

The correspondent of a Dunedin paper at Nsseby states : — "It is not likely that Mr; Scobie Mackenzie will be opposed in his candidature for the Mount Ida seat, as his actiou on all matters of local interest has given universal satisfaction. Mr. Vincent Pyke will probably also have a walk over for the Duustin."

It has been stated that Mr. E. Lake would be again a caudidate for the Waipa seat, but this will depend entirely upon correspondence received by Mr. Lake by the incoming mail from home, as upon that will depend whether Mr. Lake will have to proceed to linglaud or not. Mr. S. Vaile, writing to a friend in Waikato, is said to have expressed his willingness to stand for the district, provided a sufficiently numerous and influential body of the electors should desire him to do so.

Our Tauranga correspondent writes :—A Parliamentary Union is being inaugurated here, and will give some of our embryo politicians an opportunity of airing their views, and getting in form as possible candidates at the coming election. The only candidates announced so far as being real contestants for the seat are our present member, Mr. Grace, and his former opponent, Mr. William Kelly. Mr. R, C. Jordan and Mr. K. G. B. Moss are both spoken of as possible candidates,and would both receive a strong measure of support, but when the numbers go up it is doubtful if more than Mr. Grace and Mr. Kelly will be the acceptors at the nomination.

Our Whangarei correspondent telegraphs that yesterday afternoon a large meeting was held there in the Public Hall, and protested against the proposal to change the Marsden electoral boundaries. Many think the proposed change is an electioneering dodee, and great indignation is felt. All the electors cut off would be completely disfranchised, because they have no interest in the Bay of Islands County. It appears that the Whangarei part of the electorate would much prefer that the Bay of Islands electorate was made up from the western side of the electorate, as otherwise it will divide the Whangarei County in a very awkward manner. As the County of Whangarei very nearly contains the required population, taking in the native people, it is thought that, as the Kaihu Railway will connect the Kaihu and Northern Wairoa with Hokianga, when it is produced a little further, and as all the village settlements that Mr. John Lundon has planted would be added, these additions should make up the numbers required by the Bay of Islands electorate. Whangarei only wants to be let alone with the settlements that naturally belong to her.