THE GENERAL ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11239, 7 December 1899, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

POLLING DAY IN AUCKLAND. The general election of members to the House of Representatives did not rouse Aucklanders to any great pitch of excitement or enthusiasm. True, there was a certain amount of canvassing, and some barracking ; but except between the licensed victuallers and the prohibitionists there was little or no evidence of personal feeling. The one remarkable feature of the day was the large number of women, of all classes, who rolled up to the polling booths. The business of voting began at nine o'clock. Previous to this there was only a little extra stir, in the main thoroughfares— a few more cabs and breaks rolling along the main thoroughfares, an increase in the lines of pedestrians marching along the pavements. The fact of the matter is New Zealanders, in spite of their progressive legislation, do not go wild over politics. They take things calmly, and they, being naturally a law-abiding people, do not expect any serious difference in (heir political leaders. If there bad been no question of prohibition there would have been no signs of partisanship, and any ill-feeling displayed was entirely between the excited supporters of prohibition and those who resent an invasion of their liberties.

The ceremony began at the Drill Shed, when as soon as the great clock in the Free Library tower commenced to strike nine, Mr. John King, the registrar, commanded the doors to be thrown open. There was no rush of eager electors ; the crowd gathered there seemed more interested in atching the voters pass into the ballot boxes. A few barrackers for prohibition kept up a cry of " Strike out the top line," and their opponents retorted with " Strike out the two bottom lines."

Captain Coyle had placed some of the Permanent Force to assist the police in maintaining order, but there was little inclination to disorder among the crowd, and a passage wide enough for the Governor's carriage was kept at the cost of a littleliuslling and a few protests.

There was no crowd about the Agricultural Hall, but a steady stream of voters passed in and out. The variety of characters going up to the ballot boxes was striking ; stalwart labouring men in their working clothes, dainty young ladies in light summer dresses. One tall artisan, with grimy face and grimy dungarees, went in with an air of knowing exactly what to do, and a determination to do it. Re was followed by a stout lady who asked pathetically, " Where can I vote for Mr. '!"

Two elderly ladies marched gravely in, holding large tickets ou which the two bottom lines were marked out with red lines. They thought that they had only to present these and their vote would be registered. The mass of people, however, apparently knew their business, and went about without hesitation.

The number of brakes drags, cabs, and vehicles of every description dashing about increased as the day wore on. The same scene was being enacted at nearly all the polling places. St. Benedict's and St. James' Hall were comparatively quiet, but one thing was noticeable at nearly e"ery place, and that was the number of peoplo who came.to vote and found that their names were not on the roll. Many of these, people, however, on being questioned, had to acknowledge that they had trusted to various canvassing agents to put them on the roll, and further examination through tiif> chief registrar, revealed the fact that many voters were not on the roll for very good reasons —some were not residing at address given, others were ill more than one electorate. One or two were under age. It was apparent that great care had been exercised to ascertain the validity of many claims to vote ; still after all, the numbers of people coining to tho balloting box and finding that they were unable to vote because their names were not registered, was extraordinarily large.

There seemed to be more excitement (it the Ponsonby Hall than anywhere el-e. There was a crowd of people waiting outside, and the hall was crowded too. One man, a. cripple, was helped from a cab. and half carried through the thronir. to the cry of " Make room for an invalid !" Another man, with head bandaged, hobbled painfully up the steps, and an old lady, desperately weak, but desperately in earnest, wandered about the hall for awhile as if seeking for something, and asked in a whisper how she should vote ? " Strike out the man you don't want." was the reply. " Hey." quavered the woman. " Strike out the man you don't want." in a louder voice. " I'll do that," said the old lady.

The proportion of women at Sunny Ponsonby must be very large, for fully twothirds of those at the hiill were of the fail , sex, and their numbers preponderated nt St. George's Hull, nt Ncwtoti West, and at Russell-street. At noon the crowd about the Drill Shed, which is looked upon as the voting centre, was of considerable size, and public feeling was worked up to snmo extent by the action of the police in hustling bade the people, whilst they permitted those men canvassing /or voters to stand about and talk to people even in the doorway. One burly constable made himself objectionable in this way, and when a very respectable citizen modestly suggested that it would be as well to clear off the canvassers as well, the sergeant thrust him two or three yards through the crowd. There was not the slightest occiision for this hustling, and it caused some angry feeling, as the public took it as a sign of favouritism. Apart from this the general order was excellent, and it would be hard to find in any part of the world so goodnatured a crowd on election day. The organisation of the polling booths was excellent, and Mr. King, the registrar, is to be complimented on his selection of officials, and on his arrangements for the convenience of voters.

PONSONBY. The polling was steady all day, large numbers of women especially polling. Mr. Archdale Tayler was principal deputy returning officer. Sub-deputies: Messrs. Geo. Wardell, C. Kingsford, E. Hume, Jas. Norton! Poll clerks: Messrs. S. C. Holdsworth, D. Wilson, F. Bailey, B. Evans. Local option polling officers: Messrs. G. Doig, J. MoWhirter, W, O. Langsford, George Ktven, jun. Scrutineers for Mr. Jas. Regan, Mr. F. Smith; for Mr. G. Fovlds, Messrs. Boyce, Hall, and Barry; for Mr. Vaile, Mr. F. Leith; for Mr. R. Hobbs, Mr. Anderson; for Mr W. Crowther, Mr. H. C. Anderson. Scrutineers for local option: For brewers—Messrs. A. G. Howard, L. W. Hawkins, J. M Lawson, J. W. Mackay. For prohibitionists—Messrs. G. Rhodes, J. fl. Joynfc, R. Mortimer, J. A. Bettany. There were a great many carriages employed, those of the brewers having red favours, while some of those run for the temperance party sported "true blue." The ladies of the W.C.T.U. had a booth for convenience of female voters. The police arrangements were greatly superior to those of last general election, when the brewers' ticket was put up in every voting recess, and touts pestered the women in the vestibules and approaches of thu polling booth, forcing tickets into their hands, and putting them in the pockets of their dresses. On this occasion there was nothing of that sort. Everyone went m unmolested and unsolicited, and a clear ring

was kept round the approaches so that the women voted with ease and comfort. The most perfect order and good humour prevailed everywhere, and not a single person the worse for liquor was to be seen anywhere. Inspector (Men drove round in the afternoon to this and the other city booths, to see that everything was done- to preserve order, and that the voters were not crowded in getting access to the booths. The various candidates had booths in the vicinity, and visited the polling place during the day. The wife of one of the brewers was on the ground a portion of the day, and Mrs. Napier was also active in her husband's interest as a candidate.

Towards evening there was a gradual disJfersal of voters, and then, about seven cfalock, crowds began to gather before the Herald Office, to see the results of the polling, shown on the screen by limelight over the Wvndham-street entrance, and members of the Herald staff were distributed throughout the city and suburbs, waiting at the polling stations ready as soon as the returns were made known to flash them along the telephone wires to the office, and as soon as they reached the office they were made known to the public by means of the screen. During the intervals of waiting the crowd were entertained by limelight pictures of popular s'hjects. The New Zealand contingent, members of the Royal Family, Kruger, and Chamberlain. Kruger was received with groans, Chamberlain with cheers. Members of the Williamson-Musgrove Company were shown with a kinematograph picture of the popular dance in "A Trip to Chinatown." By eleven o'clock most of the numbers had been published, and Aucklanders knew through tho medium of the Hbrald the results of the polling from Invercargill to the Bay of Islands. The rapidity and promptness with which the returns from all parts of New Zealand were made known through the medium of the Hkr.ud, shows strikingly the immense radius of the power wielded by a modern and up-to-date paper. News from Southland, West-land, Otngo, Canterbury, and Wellington was made known here as soon as it was revealed in'those places, and the readers of this issue of the Herald will know the results of voting, both for candidates and local option throughout the length and breadth of the country.

THE DRILL HALL. Polling at the Drill Hall was heavier than at litst election, the rush at this polling station being, no doubt, due to the fact that there was this year no polling station at the City Hall. From the opening hour till the time for closing there was a steady stream of voters, and the poll officials had hard work during the whole day to keep up with the calls niiide upon them. Outside the hall all the candidates were represented by com-mittee-men, but the canvassing for the Parliamentary election was not anything like so keen as the canvassing for and against prohibition. The Prohibition party and the liquor interest were botli strongly represented at this polling station, and there was throughout the day a noisy and vigorous advocacv for and against " the top line." Work for the various " tickets" proceeded more quietly, and there was plenty of evidence of organisation, in the shape of electors being guided to the polling booth and instructed .us to the voting by the supporters of the individual candidates or of a particular "ticket." The Xew Zealand Natives' Association came to light with a ticket which hitherto had not been much before the public, viz., liauine, Napier, and Regan. Mr. K. D. McLennan (Registrar of Electors for Franklin) and Mr. A. L. Edwards were the principal deputy returning officers. There were four ballot-boxes for the Parliainontry election, and a like numlier for (he licensing poll, the officials at the various ballot-boxes be-ing:—Deputy-returning officers (electoral): John Oruhb, Walter Taylor, F. J. Stewart, and 11. ({. Holland. Deputy returning officers (licensing): Joseph Busman, J. 'Scehaii. M. Cowic and Charles Page. Poll clerks: S. !■„ Sinclair. Kdwnrd Bna-hes, and ('. R. F.wr, and S. C. McOill. When the doors closed at seven p.m. cheers were given for the vaiioua candidates.

THE AGRICULTURAL HALL. The Agricultural Hall proved an exceeding' convenient polling station, and the ar-nineemi-nt by wlii.li voters had to enter by ono door and leave by another worked splendidly dining the day. As at the Drill Hall, there were four ballot-boxes, and although a large number of electors recorded their votes at this booth there was an amnle provision of private boxes, so that voters could take full advantage of the secrecy of the ballot Voting was especially brisk during the earlier part of the day, but even up to tho closing hour the officers in charge had a good deal to do to keep pace with the work. Mr. Frederick Pilcher was depulv returning officer in charge, the subdeputies for tho Parliamentary election being: Messrs. TT. J. M. Thomson. W. A. D. Hanks, Owen Gr.rlnud, W. I). Buddie, and W. 11. Allen. For the licensing poll the deputies were: Messrs. H. J. Johnson, T. 11. Keesing, Louis Lewis, Albert Williams, and (.:. U. Won!. The poll clerks were: Messrs. R. J. I'earce, S. H. Quinlan, P. Lawrence, A. AM, A. C. Graham, and A. Mowlsen.

ST. JAMKS' HALL At St. Jiin.es' Hall there was a large crowd in ill tendance just after the opening of the poll, and tin , rush continued for about nn hour, when it lulled, but set in again shortly after noon, and matters were exceedingly brisk all the afternoon, the polling being very heavy. A great number of ladies were present during the day, and took a keen interest in the proceedings. The arrangements were perfect, and everything v.'.'is carried out in the most orderly manner. Mr. (ieoivc Keven was the returning officer, his assistants being: Electoral—Messrs. J. W. Robinson, A. N. Newman, C. P. Taylor, J. Bov/den, and T. H. Dosworth. Licensing—Messrs. J. Bouskill, F. Towsey, A. Asher, H. Alber, and Thomas Gillibrand, The result of the poll was announced shortly after ten o'clock, there being only about half-a-dozen persons present. Constable Finnerty was in charge at the hall, assisted by another constable and two of the Permanent Force, but there was no occasion for Ibeir services at any time during the day. The total number of votes polled at the last general election at this booth was 5550, the number this time being 6164.

ST. GEORGE'S HALL. At St. George's Hall a steady stream of voters set in shortly after the poll opened, iiml although it eased off somewhat soon afterwards, operations were resumed soon after the dinner hour, and there was a large crowd during the whole of the afternoon. Lady canvassers were strongly in evidence in the interests of the temperance party. Mr. James Simms was ihc returning officer, his assistants being: Electoral—Messrs. J. Hunter, C. Hales, W. Woolfield, G. Tonge. Licensing—Mr. A. Weldon. NEWTON WEST SCHOOL. _ Polling was not very brisk at the Newton West school, just on" the boundary of the electorate, the total number of voters only reaching about 300. Mr. John E. King was in charge, assisted by Messrs. Robert Finlay. F. YV r . Lubning, and Thos. Nightingale, electoral; and Messrs. J. King, jun., J P. H. Cole, and H. Brabazon, licensing. j Constable McLellan represented the police, ond after warning one too-eager supporter of one of the candidates, who persisted in wishing to show the voters how to vote, had no difficulty in keeping the entrances to the booth clear. ST. BENEDICT'S HALL. At St. Benedict's everything worked very j smoothly. About 2000 electors recorded their votes there during the clay, a large percentage being women. Mr, John Gordon was in charge. Assisting him were Messrs. j A. H. Brabant, A. G. Murphy, P. J. DunI ningham, E. A. Keesing, electoral; and Messrs. W. E. Warburton, Chas. Elloy, and A, G, Levick, licensing, PARNELL. As on the occasion of the last general election of 1896, the contest for the Parnell seat was again a triangular one, the contestants being Messrs. Hugh Campbell (Mayor of Parnell), and J. C. Allen, both _ of whom appeared in the Opposition in-

terests, and Mr. Frank Lawry, the sitting member, and a supporter of the Seddon Ministry. A keen public interest attached to the election, but keen though it was, the local option poll appeared to overshadow it, at least as a topic of conversation among those who attended at the several polling booths to record their votes on the two important matters at issue. The arrangements throughout the district were under the supervision of Mr. Joseph Gilmore, returning officer for the electorate. The polling was in excess of the 1896 election, on the Parliamentary side, the total number of votes recorded being 4530. as against 3779. an excess of 751, this being without taking into account the informal votes, which have not been totalled. The election resulted in the return of the sitting member, Mr. Frank Lawry, Government candidate, with 2261, a majority over Mr. Hugh Campbell of 838, the latter polling 1423 votes.

THli ODDFELLOWS' HALL. The principal booth for the electorate was the Oddfellows' Hall, Parnell, where Mr. A. R. T. Haultain acted as chief deputy, assisted by the usual complement of poll clerks. in addition to whom there were several scrutineers for the candidates, and prohibition and brewing interests. The hall was no sooner open at nine a.m. than the inflow commenced, and from half-past nine to half-past ten the officials were kept extremely busy, after which the polling continued steady until five o'clock, from which hour to the close the workers were again under high pressure. Throughout the day the ladies attended in large numbers, and the vehicles plying in the interests of the respective candidates spent a very busy time conveying voters to and from the hall.

NEWMARKET HALL. The Public Hall served as the polling place for Newmarket, where, the deputy returning officers were Messrs. W. B. Fritchard and J. E. Barren, assisted by three poll clerks, while five electoral and licensing scrutineers watched the interests of their respective parties. Voters continued at a steady rate all day, the ladies being well represented during tho forenoon nnd earlier part of the afternoon, but at no time did the officials find the work excessively heavy, the only time at which they were treated to anything in the direction of a rush being shortly after fivo p.m. EDEN TERRACE.

Tho Victoria Hall was utilised as the polling booth for the Eden Terrace district, the deputy returning officer in charge being Mr. E. Jackson, he being attended.by the necessary staff of officials, while tlie interests of tho candidates and the local option poll were watched by tho usual scrutineers. From nine o'clock in the morning the voting set in steadily, ladies predominating in the earlier part of the day, while the sterner sex polled in large numbers from five p.m. onwards. Tho work was at no time beyond the capacity of the staff, and everything worked smoothly. MOUNT EDEN.

St. Barnabas' Parish Hall, the polling booth for Mount Eden, proved the quietestcentre in the Parnell electorate, the voting going on quietly all day, the only portion at which it livened up somewhat being from half-past four in the afternoon. As in other parts, the fair sex polled heavier than the males during the earlier part of the day, and, as was generally anticipated, Mr. Hugh Campbell found greatest favour with electors. Mr. A. T. Firth was the deputy returning officer in charge, and was ably seconded by tho required complement of poll clerks, while scrutineers were present for both candidates and the licensing election.

EDEN. In the Eden electorate the contest beta een the sitting member, Mr. John Bollard (Opposition) and Mr, Malcolm Niccol, tho Government candidate, was keenly fought out. Polling was steady throughout the day, the principal polling place being the Devonport Public Hall, where Mr. Benjamin Gilmer, returning officer, with his deputies, Messrs. J. C. Entrican and J. Webster, were kept busily occupied. Shortly after the close of the poll, a large crowd assembled outside the hall, where they awaited the announcement of the returns coming in from the various polling places. As was anticipated, Mr. Niceol polled much heavier than Ips opponent at Pevonpwi, but Mr. Bollard made up the deficiency in tho Avondnle and outlying districts. The results were not completed, the one addition necessary being from Huia, and as Mr. Bollard ha* a lead of three from the returns, this return is awaited with interest. The following were the deputies at the various districts: —Archliill • Electoral, Mr. E. Waymouth; licensing, Mr. J. Patterson. Avondale: Electoral, Mr. James Slator; licensing, Mr. M. Arthur. Albany: Electoral, Mr. Alex. Stevenson ; licensing, Mr. M. H. Frost. Birkenhead : Electoral, Mr. Tonar; licensing, Mr. Stevenson. Birkdale: Electoral, Mr. F. Babe; licensing, Mr. F. Smith. Brooklyn: Electoral. Mr. F. Howard; licensing, Mr. James Wood. Chelsea: Electoral, Mr. John Patterson; licensing, Mr. F. Smith, jun. Devonport: Electoral, Messrs. Williamson, Kayll, and Webster; licensing, Mr. J. E. Entrican. Huia,: Electoral: Mr. Ed. Smith ; licensing, Mr. J. L. Puttollo. Kingsland: Electoral: Messrs. P. R. Fraser and Claude Young; licensing, Messrs. L. Caro and W. H. Churton. Mount Albert: Electoral, Mr. C. Gentle; licensing, Mr. W. F. Fitt. Mayfield : Electoral, Mr. W. F. Brooking ; licensing, Mr. J. Jennings. Northcote: Electoral. Mr. W. H. Cooper; licensing, Mr. L. V. Cooper. New Lynn: Electoral, Mr. J. P». Harrop; licensing, Mr. Henderson. Point Chevalier: Electoral, Mr. F. Thwaitesj licensing, Mr. F. A. Ashton; Takapuna: Electoral, Mr. W. .Seaman; licensing. Mr. Churton, jun. Titirangi: Electoral, Mr. F. Armstrong; licensing, Mr. Parry. Waikumete: Electoral, Mr. James Macky; licensing, Mr. Thwaites, jun. Waitakerei: Electoral, Mr. F. A. Ussher; licensing, Mr. Albert Angill.

MANUKAU. The polling at the various centres was of an even character, with the exception of Onehunga, more interest being displayed there than elsewhere in the electorate, the returning officer and his assistants being kept very busy from the start. The four candidates and' their committees worked unceasingly during the day, but the polling throughout was apparently in favour of the sitting member, and this impression was qualified by the results. The local option vote seemed to exercise the minds of the electors more than the electoral, the polling in the Remuera district being very much in favour of reduction, while in the other districts " the trade " carried the day. At the Epsom Hall the voters were very consistent during the latter part of the day, and the polling was slightly in favour of Mr. Taylor. The Onehunga electors turned out in numbers to record their votes, the ladies especially predominating, and the sidewalks were thronged with people, while at Remuera and Ellerslie a steady stream of electors recorded their votes throughout the day. Mr. Brookfield acted as retnming officer, assisted by deputies, viz., Messrs. H. Wilding and Edwin Hall (Onehunga.), R. S. Carter (Ellerslie), Geo. James (R«muera), who were also assisted by the usual number of scrutineers and poll clerks. The local option poll was conducted by the following deputies : Messrs. Bruford and Vance (Onehunga), assisted by Messrs. Jeffs, Fleming, and Bostock as scrutineers. H. Edwards (Ellerslie). assisted by Messrs. C. J. Hill and Geo. Wilkinson as'scrutineers, J. G. Hutchison (Remuera), assisted by Messrs. Hilligan and Dingwall as scrutineers.

THAMES. The general election here passed off with ihe best of order and decorum. The weather was all that could be desired, and business was practically at a standstill, so that everyone might participate in the election. From the opening of the polling booths to the closing of the same, there was a continual stream of electors of both sexes flowing in and out, and the arrangements in connection with the polling booths reflected the greatest credit on Mr. T. W. Clarke, the returning officer. Vehicles of all kinds, from the modest sulky to the huge brake, were engaged all day in conveying electors to the polling booths, and the members of some of the candidates' committees wore distinguishing badges in their buttonholes. The utmost enthusiasm was displayed by the supporters of the three candidates, and all worked with the greatest energy to secure the return of their favourite. The contest was cond-ucted in a most friendly spirit, although the exuberance of partisanship was occasionally apparent in the animated gesticulations of the more excitable barrackers.