THE CITY ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9271, 5 August 1893, Page 4

THE CITY ELECTION.

A KEEN CONTEST. LARGE MAJORITY FOR MR. C A DM AN. NUMBERS REFRAIN FROM VOTING., One of the most peculiarly interesting electoral campaigns which has ever been fought cut in the city of Auckland wai brought to a conclusion yesterday, when the polling in tho Kees-Cadmaii contest took place, resulting in a very decided victory for Mr. A. J. Cadman, the r»xNative Minister, by a majority of 747 votes. The numbers polled were :— A. J. Cad man 1879 W. 1,. Reus ] 1 ,T_> Majority for Cadman ... 747 THE POLLING. Tho supporters of the rival candidate* had been working very hard for nearly a fortnight, and each party took care to leave nothing undone that was likely in any way to contribute to the ultimate success of the cause they had espoused. With the address of Mr. Recs in the City Hall on Thursday evening the talking part of the campaign was laid aside, and yesterday morning lilt) rival camps braced themselves for the filial struggle. A drizzling rain fell during the morning, but in the afternoon the weather became rather more favourable. However, the rain and the slush did not matter very much, for vehicles of every description were dashing all over the city, and the persons in charge of them, in marked contrast to their usual practice, seemed only too anxious to convey without! money and without price any voter, weary or otherwise, to lie nearest polling place. Each man's vote was as good as that of any of his neighbours, and the poorest labourer, who usually is of necessity compelled to do his business on foot, might be seen driving along in a comfortable cab, for he was as

much sought after as the most prominent citizen. Notwithstanding the intense interest which this political duel has awakened—not only in Auckland, bub throughout the colony, and to a lesser extent in some of the Australian colonies also —the proceedings were of a most orderly description from the commencement to the clo-e of the poll, which did not take place until seven o clock. Loud and bitter were the complaints of many an elector, who, all unknown to himself, had been struck ofT the roll by some ruthlesj pen ; but on the other hand a large percentage of those whose names were allowed to remain refused to exercise their privilege, the reason given being usually expressed in the words that "one was a bad as the other."

AN TIC IPATO R Y SP ECUL A TJONS. As the polling proceeded the impression began to gain ground that the election was going in favour of Mr. Cadman, and odd.-, were freely laid that he would come out at the top of the poll. Later 011 in the day 60 general was the opinion that Mr. Cadman would win, that many poople ceased from speculating upon who would win, and began to calculate the probable amount of Mr. Cadinan's majority. When the result of the poll became known, the fact that the late Native Minister was at, the head of the poll caused but little surprise, but the large majority of 747 was not gener-dl y anticipated. THE VOTING FIGURES.

There were originally 80-17 names on the roll, but of these no less than 1979 were struck oil' for various reasons, This left COGS electors with power to vote. Of thw number only SOll exercised the franchise, 110 less than 3037 (more tlian half) refrain-

inir from voting. Those who did not poll their votes were, it is generally considered, in the main the more conservative element

in the community, who were expected by the supporters of Mr. Rees to vote on their side. However, throughout the campaign a large number of citizens had stated in unmistakable terms that they disapproved of the action of both prrties, and would vote for neither ; and the result proved that they had adhered £to this / resolve.

POLICE PRECAUTIONS. Although it was nob anticipated that the contest would be accompanied by any serious disorder, the police had widely made preparations to cope with any emergency that might arise. During the day the various polling booths, especially the central one at the City Hall, wore under police surveillance. He-ides this, day and night duty reliefs were kept in readiness at the police station, together with three mounted constables and their chargers, with the object of coping with any disturbance upon the declaration of the poll. Fortunately nothing took place to call these into requisition, which speaks well for the lawabiding character of Auckland citizens.

A TELEGRAM. About eleven o'clock some interest whs caused by the issue of a leaflet by the Rees party, containing a telegram from Danevirke, which stated that thirty-three ratepayers of Dancvirke, representing the bulk of the interests of thai place, had signed a document objecting to the statement being telegraphed and published throughout the colony that the residents of Danevirke were unanimous in upholding Mr. Cud man's action, and strongly objected to the palpable attempt to influence the coming election. The Cad man party locked upon this as an election squib. A telegram was immediately sent to Danevirke, and the following reply was received from Mr. A. McKay, Mayor of Danevirke :—" Wires sent Rees to day by Wells and Co. only election dodge got up at la«fc moment by few persons opposed to Smith. General public know nothing of it. —(Signed) A. McKay, Mayor, Danevirke."

WAITING FOR THE VERDICT. It was not anticipate.! that the result would be announced much before nine o'clock, but it certainly was expected that there would be some official announcement. By half-past eight fully three thousand people thronged the vicinity of the City Hall, anxious to hear the result. They waited patiently and in the most orderly manner, but no announcement came. Shortly before nine the lights in the hall were turned out, and then for the first time it dawned upon the assembly that all was over. Some time previous to this a paper with the numbers on it had been quietly fixed near the dress circle entrance, but the few who noticed it regarded it as a hoax. However, it turned out to be correct. It was generally considered that the Returning Officer had shown scant courtesy to the citizens in allowing some three thousand of their number to remain anxiously waiting for the result, and quietly slipping ofT home in a cab without giving any olfieial intimation that the result had been made up. The complaints were loud and deep.

MR. (-ADMAN'S ABSENCE. When the croud nt length arrived at the decision that the numbers posted up were authentic, loud cries immediately went up for Mr. Cadman, but lie was nowhere to bo found. As it was known that he was staying at the Victoria Hotel, some '2000 person* made their way thither. They cheered and called for the victor, but there was no response. The people were assured again and again that he was not there, but they would not disperse. Several of .Mr. Cadman's com mitteemen made a search for him throughout the town without effect, and greab dissatisfaction was freely expressed at his neglect to come forward and say a word of thanks to those who had voted for him. It was not until about ten o'clock, when the rain came on, that the crowd dispersed. It was said that he had gone to the wharf to see some friends off, but messengers sent there could not find him.

THE CITY HALL. The principal polling booth was the City Hall, and of course the polling here was far more heavy than that at the auxiliary stations ; indeed the pressure was at times so great that it was thought advisable to convey many of the electors from Queenstreet and the neighbourhood either to St. Sepulchre's schoolroom or to the Catholic Institute, in Wellington-street. Mr. S. Y. Collins, the returningoilicor, superintended the proceedings, being assisted by Messrs. James Ilalyday, \V. S. Collins, McLennan, C. Phillips, and Grange. .Messrs. Woolfield, Gillibiand, and Cameron acted as scrutineers for Mr. Carl man ; and Me?.*r«. Talbot, Boyd, and Burclier acted in * similar capacity for Mr. Kees. The polling was, on the whole, very evenly divided over the day, though, of courso, there were periods of unusual activity and of unusual slackness. From nine to ton the polling was rather heavy, and then came a slight 9

lull until twelve. From this time until about two a continuous stream of electors tiled into the building, and theoSicials were kept very busy. Asa matter of fact, they were at times quite unable to cope with tho work set before them, and in more than one instance electors were coolly told to come back later on, as they could not be attended to for some time. This was very inconvenient for working men, who had to utilise their lnnch hour to record their votes, and in many cases voters, had to go to the suburban booths to lie attended to. From five till halt-past six men wero conveyed from their various occupations to tho hall in largo contingent:); but as seven o'clock approached the numbers began to dwindle'away, and it dies not seem that any elector was crowded out for want of tjme. The police had considerable difficulty in keeping a way open fot radio in front of the hall, and there was o: course plenty of talk. Almost .it any tine during the day small group* of men conic ho seen listening to some amateur orator giving vent to his surplus zeal by ■ proclaim tig the merits of his favourite candidate, Mid pouring scorn upon the claims of the rival party. However, the police were inexorable, and their oft-repeated "move on' oftentimes dispersed the listeners just - 'he speaker felt himself most eloquent. There was no formal declaration of the result, though some figures were placed up near the front entrance, whic.h afterwards proved to bo correct. The polling was:—Caiman, 1140; Ree-i, 790. Informal, "JO.

CATHOLIC ■issTiri'i'K (WELLINGTON STREET).

At thi« polling booth Mr. T. W. Seam in was deputy returning ollieer, Mr. H. Cottle poll clerk. Mr. J. S. I Mike was scrutineer tor Mr. Cad man, and Mr, 11. J. Syms for Mr. Kees. Mr. Cadman's committee consisted of Messrs. \Y. Regan, R. Gault, A. and I;.' lover Bros. J. I.aeon, R. Fuller, W. Foley, E. Murphy, James Murphy, H. Jones, and O'Meara. They did business from a coffee stall on the side of the street. Mr. Kees' committee had the use of a shop adjacent to the polling place, and his com'nut tee consisted of Messrs. K.J. Carbines, If. U. Francis. T. Thorpe, W. A. Thomas, and Martin Nothing but good humour and excellent, order prevailed throughout, rind rt.e constable's office was a sinecure. Shortly before eight o'clock it v.is announced that, the poll at the booth had resulted --('adman, 373; Kees, I (IS.

ST. >K!TI.aiIIE S. At Sr. Sepulchre's Schoolroom, Symond? freer, Mr. Memoes officiated as returning otlicer, Messrs I'uscoe and Jamiesm acting: a" scrutineer.-' for Messrs. Kees and Cadman iespectively. The number »•:' votes reeouied was ,'loo, Mr. Caiman pilling 'J,'!? m l Kees 11' J. There was on" informal vote. The result wa< received villi cheers.

PO.N'SON l'.V (BAIT IST SCIlOOL'tOOM). At the I'onsonby polling station Mr. H. V. C-ollins dliioi.ited a? depu.y returning otlicer ; Mr. \V. H. Crick, pol' clerk : Mr. F. de .Ion,'!), scrutineer for »lr. Cadin in, toi l Mr. E. Cnrr for Mr, He's. Mr. Cadman's committee consisted of Mes-rs. .1. Stiehbury, Wool!,mis, Law, Hartley, K. Graham, .las, .Mc *'ath, F. Booth, W. Gray; and Mr. Reef's committee were Messrs. E. H. Ileilly, McCoy, < iilmore, .Ins. Me illy, and Harvey. Mr (.. F. Srichbnry had a coffee-stall, utilised a- an otlice adjacent to the polling booth, .n Mr. ("a. hu m's interest; and Mr. llarv#y had similarly pressed a deliveiy van iito elcctioneerim.: uses on Mr. Kees's be* alt. The contest throughout was conflicted in excellent spirit and good feeling, and the poll closed ii? tol.'ows Cadman, ."21!; Rees, li - .'.

THE COMPLETE FIGURES. The figures from the various centres are ns follows : — Cailman. I-,r«s. City II dl 11 ti; ::m Catholic Institute .. .'17:! li s St. .Sepulchre's school .. '-'•"■7 ll'J I' uisonhy .. ]'_'•! ti'. 1 l\'j 11. It, will he seen from thuabove figures that Mr. Cidmari [mile 1 a ijority in evil locality. He has an unbroken record, never having been defeated in any electoral contest, though he ha- lad some very keen struggles. THE NEWS AT THE THAMES. [J»V TJ-. 1.1.' I li.A I'll -i.W.V coki: s I'o s I'l- NT. ] Tit xmks, Friday. Great interest was <Ij played h**ru to- lay re the ('a dman- oci'.est in Auckland, it. beiu:; the chief 'hem/ nt conversation in ill pat ts of the town. Toe bulk of public sympathy was With Mr. Cadman, so that wtien th-} news (-uiu to hand about nine o'clock this e.eai.ij that he had been elided by a huge majority, ii. gave very general satisfaction. TEMPERED RATION* AT WELLINGTON. [BY TELEUKAPH. — sPKi'IAI. COIIKKSPONDENT.] Wkj.uncton, Friday. The result of lie Auckland com est caused tempered jubilation utnony.-t Go vernment supporter*, for many had expected a greater majority. The result rereived indirect reference at tiie clo-e of the Electoral Bill deb ite. Mr. Fish advocated that all persons who lid not vote should be struck olf the roll. Mr. Seobie Mackenzie argued that in the case of Auckland that day it would mean that half the electorate would be disfranchised. The contest had been between two supporters of the Government, and half Auckland had refrained from voting because there was no Opposition candidate. The I'runner laughingly thanked Mr. Mackenzie for the admission lie had made that the Government hid a majority in Auckland. It i" felt on till hands that since Mr. Cadman has been re turned to Parliament there is little dobut but that lie will be re instated in the ' abinet.