THE HUTT SEAT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7977, 7 December 1911, Page 5

THE HUTT SEAT

A WIFE’S APPEAL FOR MR WILFORD’S SUPPORT. "THROUGH THICK AND THIN." There has been much interest taken, especially by women fpit, in the manner in which Mrs Wilford has assisted her husband in his campaign tor the liutt Beat—a campaign which, so far as Mr WUtord is concerned, has been conducted with an almost pathetic lack of stxenu-. oneness on aopount of the retiring loein* ber v e incomplete recovery from a eeveie illness. Ignite a number of meetings in small centres have been addressed by Mrs Wilford, who has had the loyal support of several friends of her husband. Her most trying ordeal, however, was last night, when she had to speak to a very large audience in the Palace Theatre, Petone. Hr Wilford has been obliged to refrain from addressing meetings, -but he had saved himself for one final effort in Petone on the eve of the election. His medical adviser yesterday, however, absolutely forbade him to speak that night and he was obliged; to submit to i the inevitable. His place was taken by Mrs Wilford.' In a quiet, deliberate, and brief speech Mrs Wilford explained her husband's position and \ bis die-, appointment at being unable to deliver his address. With great sincerity she appealed for the consideration of tno audience. She referred briefly to Mr Wiiford’s loyal, service, to the electorate, and expressed the belief that ■ he would soon occupy a more prominent position in the political world, and a, hope that he would not have to undergo the ordeal of a second ballot. With evident satisfaction she quoted Hr Collins report that Mr Wilford was not; as had been rumoured, suffering from a serious internal complaint, but would, given rest and freedom from worry, be completely restored to health. This statement was loudly applauded. A resolution, unanimously earned, conveyed a message to Mr Wilford that it was the intention of those present to stick to Tom Wilford “through thick and thin." The resolution was .carried with musical honours, "For ■ He's a Jolly Good Fellow" being sung, and followed by cheers for the candidate, - Mrs Wilford, and the chairman, Mr J. Piper. Prior to the ■ commencement ot tne meeting Mrs Wilford was presented, by little girls, with several handsome bouquets, and one dimmuUve and disappointed boy, who had brought a button-hole for the candidate, asked Mrs Wilford to take it home for him.