THE TUAPEKA ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10900, 3 November 1898, Page 5

THE TUAPEKA ELECTION.

VICTORY FOR THE OPPOSITION CANDIDATE. RETURN OF MR. C. C. RAWLINS. AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY. [bt telegraph.—press association.] Dukedik, Wednesday. The following are the totals in the election o? a member for Tuapeka, which took place to-day: — G. C. Rawlins (Opposition) ... ■ ... 1118 J. J. Ramsay (Independent) 844 Robert Gilkistm (Independent Liberal) 504 Henry Symes (Government) 296

Mr. James Sim, who intimated his withdrawal too late to have his name taken off the ballot paper, got 14 votes. Charles C. Rawlins may be unhesitatingly classed as an Oppositionist. He has on the three occasion on which he has been a candidate, nailed his colours to the mast as an opponent of the present Government, He was born in Liverpool, and brought up in North Wales, where his father was interested in lead mining. Ho served a portion of his articles as an engineer at Chester, but, his health breaking down, he was sent to New Zealand, and landed in Dunedin in 1865. He remained in the colony foi eight years, and then resumed hib original intention of becoming a mining engineer. He spent a number of years in Australia and Tasmania, as well as other parts of the In ,1889 he returned to Otago to take cbargo of the Island Block Company's mine, in which he is the principal shareholder. He is a freetrader, strongly opposes borrowing,, and has distinct views of his own on some questions. Ho ib ft fluent and forcible speaker. He contested Tuapeka with the late Mr. Pyke in 1893, but was beaten by 210 votes. In the byeelection which followed Mr. Pyke's death, he stood asido to allow Mr. Scobie Mackenzie to contest the seat with the late Mr. Larnach, the latter winning by 54. At last election Mr. Rawlins polled within 21 votes of Mr. Larnach.

THE POSITION OP PARTIES. [by TELEGRAPH— rOBBKSPOKDEXT.] Dr/SEnis, Wednesday. The Opposition are naturally greatly dolighted with the result of the tunpeka election. The return of Mr, Rawlins reduces tho Government majority by two, seeing that the scat is now held by an opponent instead of by a supporter. " Mr. Seddon can now only count on a majority of nine, and amongst these are several wavorers, who may kick over the traces at any time. It is not improbable that at (he next election Mr. Guinness may come back as an Oppositionist, while Mr. R. Thompson and Mr. Field can hardly be called out-and-out supporters of Mr. Reddon, and at least one of the Maori members may leave (he Governmont party. It only requires three or four members to go over to leave Mr. Scddon without a working majority, and, in any case, next session, he will have a very warm time of it. A dissolution is almost certain to ensue, and the Opposition have a. great deal of excellent ammunition available for a fight in the country.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. IUWLINB. [by telegram.—special romiEsroNnm.] Wellington - , Wednesday. On receipt of tlio news of Mr, Rnwlins' return for Tuapoka, Captain Russell wired him us follows.— Opposition rejoice and participate in your decisive victory." It is doubtful if Mr. Rawlins can take his seat in the House this session. He cannot do so before the writ is returned, and it cannot be returned this week unless the return•ing officer telegraphs it. It is, however, quite competent for him to do this, and members may therefore have (lie pleasure of welcoming Mr. Rawlins in the House before the session ends.