THE COMING ELECTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1856, 17 June 1887, Page 22

THE COMING ELECTION.

■ Mr James Fulton this morning announces that he is a candidate for re-election for the Taieri seat. " */. ( !> , _ ' Mr John, Reid has received a requisition to , contest seat, and Mr Duncan j Sutherland has also been requested to stand, , but neither gentleman has given a definite reply ,as yet.' ' , 1 Latest election gossip says that, Mr Pearson, who a year or two ago retired on pension from the post of Commissioner of Crown Lands, is ' expected to contest the InvercargUl seat against Mr Hatch, the present member, and anyone else who may come forward. Mr A. H. Ross has definitely announced his intention to contest His present seat (Roslyn) against all comers, and Mr W. Carncross will again endeavour to sup-, plant Mr ' Fulton with the Taieri electors. The current rumour that Mr Cowan, the member for Hokohui, would shortly be called to the Legislative Council is discredited in view of the redent assurance of the Ministry. W,e understand (says the Timaru Herald) that Mr E. Wakefield is wavering between standing for the Hutt or for one of the Wellington City seats. He might succeed in rnnniiig in between Mr Mason and Mr Fitzherbert for the Hutt,' but in Wellington itself he would have no chance against Dr Newman for Thorndon, or Mr, Walter Johnston or Mr Fraser for Te, Ayo. Jn '. Wellington, South he would .find Mr George Fisher's opposition a very bard nut

to crack. At present it looks very much as though Mr Wakefield^would be left out in the cold. ' . : In connection with the boundaries of the new electoral district, the Mount Ida Chronicle says that it is understood the boundaries of Mount Ida will extend to Dunbaok on one side and to Poolburn on the other, Ruggedy Ridges being the boundary between it and the Dunstan. Tuapeka has not sufficient inhabitants for its quota, and will possibly include some of the lower portion of the Dunstan districtV ' In that case Mr Pyke will get some fresh ground in the direction of Tapanui and the balance of Kelso. Mr J. Gore is definitely , out for Dunedin South. He supports encouragement of local industries and retrenchment. A" very large number of electors.of the Port Chalmers district assembledr'in^they^oresters' Hall on Tuesday eveningf or the purpose of forming themselves into a committee to secure the return of Mr James Mills as M-H.R. for the district. His Worship the Mayor (Mr E. G. Allen) was called to the; chair, and briefly. explained 4he circumstances which had led to the meeting. Mr James gave a resume of , the proceedings of the past session and of his actions, and was loudly applauded. He afterwards replied to questionsjaut to him by several gentlemen present as to his political views: It was resolved, upon the motion Mr W. Murray, seconded by Mr N.C. Schumacher, that the meeting resolve itself into a committee to secure the return of Mr. Mills as member for Port Chalmers.. The names of 90 gentlemen were given in, as members of committee. Afterwards the meeting proceeded to the election of a working committee, when the names of 28 gentlemen were given in. The meeting was then adjourned, his Worship the Mayor being appointed convener of next meeting, when the permanent officers will be elected. , Mr Mills returned thanks to those present, many of whom had come a considerable distance notwithstanding the bad weather. A yote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business of the meeting. , , „ It is said that an effort will tie made to induce Mr P. Cunningham to contest the seat' for Christchurch with Sir J. Vogel. Major Atkinson is likely to sit for Egmont as long as the electorate there will have him, and the prospect of his standing for any other constituency has not yet arisen. Some people say that Mr Felix Maguire will be a strong opponent, but that the electors of Egmont will Stand by " the major "at the hustings'.- The strength of Mr Maguire lies in the support of local bodies. Wellington, June 13. The rumour that Sir J. Vogel would stand for South Wellington against Mr Geo., Fisher appears to be premature, because I have' heard Mr Fisher declare to-day that nothing would please him more than to try his strength with the Treasurer, but as yet the Treasurer makes no sign. The Hon. Mr Ballance goes to Wanganui on Thursday next, ostensibly in attendance upon the Governor, to visit the West Coast Jubilee Exhibition. Nevertheless he gets the credit for having a view to the contest for the representation of that place. Meanwhile the Boundary Commissioners are busy upon the "delimitation" of electorates and the redistribution of seats. It is said that the results of their labours will be a general surprise. The growth of population in directions unexpected and the decrease of numbers in places once thought to be " permanently settled" will produce effects upon the representation " which could not have been anticipated." It is hinted that the movement of population has gone outside of some of the most important country districts, Ministers will have to do battle for their seats. The Premier's manifesto is regarded by everybody here as the glove of the Government party. The Post this evening says :— " Ministers will all be strongly opposed and should have little time to devote to other peoples' constituents, but if they do take to the Btump they will not be allowed to monopolise' the position; Several leading members of the Opposition and Freetrade party are prepared to follow them round the country. They will not commence operations of the kind, but they are determined- that if Ministers travel about to inculcate their views, the country shall.not be left without hearing the other side as well, and every Ministerial missionary will be closely followed up by an Oppositionist. Major Atkinson's close affinity to the opinions of Ministers on certain important questions of policy would perhaps prevent his taking part in an attempt to remove from the public mind any impression the Ministerial speakers might make on these points, but Messrs Bruce, Scobie Mackenzie, Rollenton, and others who are "thoroughly sound upon the goose" are understood to be willing to devote themselves to the work if the necessity arises. . ■ , New Plymouth, June 13. It is reported that there will be four candidates out for New Plymouth, viz., Mr G. B. Hughes, solicitor, Mr E. M. Smith (workingman's candidate), Mr W. Bayly, and it is thought Mr Samuel will also stand. Christchubch, June 13. Mr William Dunlop is out for Avon. ' A deputation of South Christchurch electors waited to-day on Mr John Holmes urging him strongly to consent to re-nomination. He' deferred giving an answer.