THE WESTLAND SEAT

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

THE WESTLAND SEAT

A KEEN CONTEST. BPECIAI# TO THE “TIMES.” HOKITIKA, December 6. For the Westland seat both, candidates have put up a great fight in the liipited time at their disposal. Mr Seddon has covered a lot of territory, speaking at leasts

twice daily since November 6tb. Ih Michel is finishing up his campaign tonight at. Waiuia, and Mr Sodden at Otira. Each party professes to ho confident of victory, so that the polling should be close. With a fair knowledge of the doctorate I have confidence in tipping Mr Sodden for a win with a fair margin. Mr Michel will have a majority in tho lower halt of the district, hut Mr tk-Kion will swamp it by a majority hi the upper half. Great interest is manifested in the contest throughout tho Dominion. telegrams having been received from all parts inquiring a.s to tho prospects. The weather at present is stormy, and will militate against heavy polling i’i tho country districts’, where the trolling booths are somewhat remote. MR SED DON AT OTIRA. MEETING OPENS WITH ROUND OJ CHEERING. PRESS ASSOCIATION. GREYMOUTH, December 6. Mr T. E. Y: Seddon addressed his final meeting at Otira last night. There was a record attendance, the hall being packed to its utmost capacity. Mr M. Fitzgerald, J.P., occupied the chair, jind ex- , pressed great pleasure at having Mr Seddon again at Otira. The meeting opened in a most enthusiastic maimer, cheer after cheer being called for the candidate. At the conclusion' of a splendid speech, which occupied an hour and a half, and which was punctuated throughout with applause, the chairman invited questions. Mi- Warwick was the only questioner, and Mr Seddon's straightionvard answer brought forward renewed cheers. Mr Nioholls, secretary of the Otira Workers’ Union, moved a vote of thanks and renewed confidence in the candidate. Ho complimented Mr Seddon on the excellence of his' address. The motion was seconded ■by Mr Stevens, and carried with cheers, there being no dissentients. From tho enthusiasm displayed there is no gainsaying the fact that Otira will . poll as solid as on previous occasions. Mr Seddon left Otira to-night, and after resting at Wainihini will leave per motor car at an early hone for Waiuta and thence to Hokitika. ' -