THE GENERAL ELECTION

Otago Witness, Issue 3430, 9 December 1919, Page 23

THE GENERAL ELECTION

CANDIDATES NOMINATED. Dunedin North—Mr Edward Kcllett. Dunedin West—Mr Wm. Downie Stewart afid Mr J. A. Brown. Dunedin South—Messrs T_ K. Sidey, J. T. Paul, and W. P. Black. Wcstland—Messrs Thomas E. Y. Seddon and James O'Brien, engine driver. Gisbome—Mr William Douglas Lysnar. WAITAKI. Mr John Bitchener'. Reform candidate for Waitaki, addressed a meeting at Glenavy on Wednesday last. There was a very good attendance, several ladies being present. Mr G. Cuthbertson, who occupied the chair, emphasised the fact that though Mr Bitchener had not previously sought their suffrages as a parliamentary representative, he had to his credit a long record of service on nearly all the local bodies in South Canterbury. In his opening remarks. Mr Bitchener Baid that it was more from a sense of loyalty to the party which he believed best fitted to carry on the government of the country at this critical time than from his own inclination that he had decided to contest the* election on this occasion. He' mentioned that at the present time he was president of the Waimate branch of the Farmers' Union,' that he had been a -member of the Waimate County Council for a good number of years, and was a member of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, a* of the local Repatriation Board, while he had served also on sundry other local bodies, bo that he claimed to have done something to warrant him in seeking their support. He then referred to many of the leading political questions, and showed that his ideas on these -were both liberal and Degressive With regard to his duties as a member of the Repatriation Board, he laid special emphasis on the fact that it was the duty of all to do their best to help the soldiers who had done so much for us. He thought that money devoted to helping "our boys" to make homos for themselves on the iand or to establish them in other suitable businesses was money well spent, and if failure did result in some few cases, that was no reason why this policy should not be followed. Ho advocated the cutting up of largo estates for this purpose, and instanced the Hakataramea Estate as one suitable for such a purpose. He advocated placing taxation on those hest able to bear it, and said that ho thought small farmers were'entitled to some relief in that direction In regard to land aggregation. Mr Bitchener said that it did not obtain to any extent in South Canterbury. He did not favour nationalisation of < our industries as he could not find any instances in which such a change had been attended with any great success. He instanced the prevalence of discontent in the railway service as an argument against the State further extending its operations. He declared himself a firm supporter of the free, secular. and compulsory educational system, and , said that he would do anything in his power to improve it. He concluded his speech by assuring those present that, if elected. he would use his utmost endeavours to. promote the interests of the district and the country. ' On the motion of Messrs Finch and W. Williams a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Bitchener was passed by the meeting. A RIOTOUS ASSEMBLY. Tho Town Hall in South Dunedin was crowded to overflowing on the 2nd, when Mr W. P. Black, Indepandent Labour candidate," was announced to speak. Cr Bradlay took the chair. Trouble began at once. Mr G. S. Thomson jumped up and moved that the meeting had'no confidence in Mr Bradley as ohairman " because he had ' scabbed' on the Labour Party." Amid tremendous uproar Mr Thomson put his motion to the meeting, and declared it carried. Thereupon he proceeded to the platform, evidantly with the object of ousting Mr Bradley from the chair. He did not succeed. Jfo was himself removed from the platform by Mr Bradley. . The scene of disorder, amidst which this little comedy was enacted continued without intermission for about an hour. The chairman, endeavouring to make himsslf heard above tho'hooting and howling, for which about 150 persons at the outside seemed to be responsible, pleaded with the meeting in a spirit of fair play to allow Mr Black to express his views. If it refused to do so, he said he would have no alternative but to close the meeting. This was what eventually occurred. , CLUTHA. " Mr R. A. Rodger, Independent candidate, ■visited Kaihiku, Clifton, and Waiwera districts on Wednesday laat. In the evening he addressed a large and representative gathering of electors, including a number of ladies, in the Public Hajl at Waiwera. Mr Walter Nicol was voted to the chair, and before introducing' the candidate re-, ferred in feeling terms to the loss the district had that day sustained through the death of Mr William Telford, of Clifton. Those present remained standing for a space as an expression of sympathy with those who were mourning the loss of one so long associated with the district. The chairman, in introducing Mr Rodger, referred to his exceptional qualifications as a business man, and held that he was likely to be tho candidate best able to handle the electors' business in the coming Parliament. Mr R*xlger spoke on various matters, and specially dwelt on those subjects that particularly affect producers. A nuirfber of questions met with a ready reply, and at the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker and chairman. BRUCE. Mr John Edie, the Liberal candidate for the Bruce seat, addressed tho electors of Lawrence on Tuesday evening. There was a good attendai.ee, .and the candidate received a very favourable hearing. The address was on much iho same lines as that delivered at other centres. Mr Edie spoke at Milburn and Clarendon on Wednesday evening, and met with an encouraging reception. Mr Edie's meetings at Clarendon and Milburn were well attended, ladies turning out in good numbers at each place. A heaTty vote of thanks was accorded the candidate for his very interesting addresses in each centre. At Middlemaroh Mr Edie's meeting on Thursday night was very sympathetkx Ho wa 3 subjected to a considerable number of questions, and gave replies -evidently, to the satisfaction of the

audienoo. A motion was carried giving the candidate a hearty vote of and expressing confidence in him as a fit and proper "person to represent Bruce in the Parliament of New Zealand. At the close of the • meeting a deputation from the soldiers' settlement waited upon Mr Edie with a request that he should pay a visit to their farms. Mr Edie visited the settlement on the following morning (Friday), and it is suggested that from his practical knowledge of road construction his opinion will bo of some weight to the powers that be as ta how the work should be carried out. WAKATIPU. Mr Ashworth, the Labour candidate for Wakatipu, has J completed the tour of the northern portion of the electorate, and has met with very cordial receptions all through. Mr Ashworth addressed a largo and very enthusiastic audience in Queenstown. _ The candidate, who is a native of the. district, wm accorded a splendid reception, and his 'address was ' frequently applauded. After he had answered several questions in a satisfactory manner, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the candidate. ' OAMARU. Mr E. P.. Lee addressed meetings of Oamaru electors at Dunback on Tussday night, and at Shag Point on Wednesday night, and recsived thanks at both places for his'lucid references to the position of the country and to the Reform Party's" progressive programme for the future. CHALMERS. On Wednesday night Mr J. M. Dickson addressed a large meeting of electors, among whom were many ladies, in the Coronation Hall, Mosg!el. He met with an excellent reception, and satisfactorily answered numerous questions. Ho was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks. Mr Wm. Allan, the Mayor of Mosgiel, was in the chair. Mr Dickson addressed a good meeting of electors at Waikouaitf on Thursday night, and received an attentivo hearing. The Mayor (Mr G. Kerr) was in the chair. At the conclusion of his address, after questions had been asked and answered, Mr Dickson was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. INVERCARGILL. MR J. A. HANAN'S ADDRESS. -, INVERCARGILL, December 4. Mr J. A. Hanan opened his campaign in the Municipal Theatre to-night. _ There was a large attendance, and Councillor C. S. Longest presided. The candidate dealt m a general way with iiolitical topics, and expressed approval of most of the planks of Sir Joseph Ward's programme, advocating a State bank, increased graduated tax', and increment tax, and a return to the pre-war Territorial system. Dealing with the cost' of living, he declared that Professor Fisher's scheme, dealing with the value of the sovereign, should be {jiven a trial. He said he had been asked if he would take a scat in the present Government if it were offered to him, and he declared he would not. On a .uo-confidenco motion he would vote to put the Liberals in power, but would not take office in any Government where the Ministers were not selected purely for qualifications. He favoured an elective executive. He also stated that he would not take a portfolio unless he had complete control of his department and the moneys of the" department. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried with a fair body of dissent. SIR JOSEPH WARD AT LEEBTON. CHRISTCHURCH, December 5. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a crowded meeting of Ellesmere electors at Leeston to-night, and received a very attentive hearing. His speech was on the lines of his recent addresses in the south. He strenuously denied a published statement that he was in any way whatever pledged to the "Red Feds." He was tho only leader who had put up opponnets against Messrs H. E. Holland and P. Fraser. He received a vote of thanks and confidence, with tho hope that the Liberal Party would be returned to power. GISBORNE. SIR JAMES CARROLL'S ADDRESS. GISBORNE, December 3. Sir James Carroll, Liberal candidate for Gisbome, gave his first address at Gisbome last night before a very large audience. He referred to the advancement* of the East Coast during the many years since he took office. It showed that somebody have been on the alert, the district could not have advanced. Ho also referred to the passing of the Native Land Titles Validation Act, with which he had a lot to do, and which had been responsible for a great amount of settlement and clearing up of Native titles. He advocated a vigorous public works policy for pushing on railways and roads, but did blame the National Government during its term of office for the slackening off. A State bank was also one of the Teforms for which he stood, as well as the nationalisation of coal mines, and better educational conditions, and better salaries for teachers was also required. Referring to the breakingup of the Coalition Sir James defended Sir Joseph Ward's action, though he remarked he would not say it would not have been more in the Liberals' interests if the Coalition Government had not dissolved till after the Bills prepared by the Liberal Ministers of the National Ministry had been passed. A vote of thanks was passed. MR HOLLAND'S DISLOYALTY. MOTION OF PROTEST CARRIED. MURCHISON RESIDENTS LEAVE THE CANDIDATE'S MEETING. NELSON, December 3. Mr H. E. Holland was announced to deliver" an address at Murchison to-night, and at the appointed hour just over 100 residents had assemblsd in the local hall. Mr J. Bradbury, a prominent citizen, was voted to the chair, and when ho rose "to introduce Mr Holland. Mr A. Thomson, jun., moved the following motion: —"That, in view of the fact that the Murchison district was second to none in tho dominion in loyalty to King and country in the greatwar, and in view of the fact that the Minister of Defenoa had cause to describe Mr Holland as being throughout the war disloyal to his King, his country, and the men who went to fight for freedom, now this tneeting of Murchison citizens feels, that though in full sympathy with the legitimate

aims of Labour, it cannot suffer to bo addressed by the Labour representative now present, and every loyal citizen is therefore urged to quietly leavo the hall." This was seconded by Dr Warn ford. An amendment was proposed —"That Mr Holland be accorded a fair hearing," whereupon Mr Holland said that Sir James Allen's quoted statement was .unfair and untruthful.

Dr Warnford remarked that Sir James Allen was not there to defend himself, and walked out of the hall. He was followed bv 79 others, only 22 remaining behind. _ The chairman then declared himself in full sympathy -with the resolution, and also retired. Tho remainder of the audience then elected another chairman, and' the meeting proceeded. Those who left tho buildingjoined in singing the National Anthem, and then dispersed.

NOTES FROM WELLINGTON.

FACTS AND FIGURES. (Faou Ouk Own Cobbksponrznt.} WELLINGTON. December 2. During the week-end there has been nothing of special interest to note regarding the local campaign, but some general notes on the position as it is at present may prove of interest. L'p till quite recently it was really thought that Mr Wilford would have an CSsy win in the Hutt electorate, but a 3 the clays go past and Mr Rishworth, tha Reform candidate, continues his series of successful meetings, and continues to receive assurances of support from former -voters on the Liberal side, many in the Huts Valley are beginning to think that Reform has a good chance of winning the seat.

The Wellington North scat is not an easy one for the Liberals to win. Unless there is a change of feeling—of which there is no sign at present—it would not be surprising to find the Liberal candidate at the bottom of the poll. As the campaign proceeds numbers of peop'.o are beginning to think that Mr Mitchell will defeat Mr Sample for Wellington South, but at present I am inclined to think that the official Labour candidate will-just get home. Up to the present there are no signs that Mr Pirani will defeat Mr Fraser, the official Labour candidate for Wellington Central. In the by-election the latter got in with a majority of 1624, though on this occasion many electors failed to go to the poll. For Wellington East and the Suburbs there is every indication that the Reform candidates will again be victorious though in each case a Liberal candidate has been put up to split the vote. In Otaki Mr Field continues to do well, and in the event of Mr Massey getting a majority over Sir Joseph Ward in the new House. Mr Field will vote with Mr Massey. Mr Field's Reform majority at last election, as a straight-out Reform candidate, was 610. It should not be less on the present occasion.

This is an absolutely fair and impartial summing up of the position as far as it can bo made at the moment_ in regard to •the seats in and about Wellington.

THE PATEA SEAT. HAWERA, December 6. Mr P. B. Fitzherbort, the official Labour candidate for the Patea seat, spoke last evening before a large audience. He severely criticised the Liberal' Leader and his policy, and outlined Labour's platform as published by the party. He was given a fair hearing, but at question tin*9 was subjected to much hostility regarding his connection with Messrs Holland and Semple, whom his questioners persisted in stating were disioyal. Mr Fitzherbert, who served in the South African war and a year in the recent war, declared that he -would only support Mr Semple if he proved him to be loyal. Returned soldiers endeavoured to move a motion of no-confidence, but there was so much noiso they could not be heard. Finally, amid much dissent, a motion of thanks and confidence was carried. LYITELTON. MR ELL'STPOSITION. (From Oor Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 4. Mr H. G. Ell, M.P.. who .is contesting the Lytt'elton seat ,told a. Star reDorter to'day that, in spite of certain rumours being circulated, he would go to the poll. "It is said that I am willing to accept a Government billet, and retire from the contest, said Mr Ell. "I say that I will not, either now or at any other time, take a position in the Dubln service of this country. You may add that I was offered 'such a billet, but I declined it, and will always decline such offers. I will go to the poll on this occasion, and if I am not successful I will contest the Lyttelton seat three years hence against all-comers." AUCKLAND ELECTORATES: (From Our Own Correspondent.) - AUCKLAND, December 3. The elections in the Auckland district, so "far as present indications point, may be expected to result largely in favour of the Reform Party. There are two new electorates in this province—Roskill and Rotorua. —and Mr Massey appears to have a good chance of winning both. Mr V. H Potter is contesting the Roskill seat in the Government interest against Mr J. H. Gunson (Mayor of Auckland), who, however, is absent from the dominion, having been unable to obtain steamer passage from America (whither he went for health reasons in July) in time to conduct his campaign. Mr Potter's chances of success are considered at present to be good. For Rotorua the Government candidate is Mr Hockley, who has a good prospect of heading the poll. ■ The sitting Reform members for the Jiay of Islands, Kaipara, Waitemata. Eden. Manukau, Waikato, Thames, and Tauranga are expected to be returned, the easiest victories probably being those of Messrs Reed Coates, Harris, and Sir F. W. Lang, in the Bay of Islands. Kaipara, Waitemata, and Manukau respectively. The position in Marsden and Raglan does not appear to be so certain, but Mr Massey shoiud retain one, if not both, of these seats. 1} Franklin Mr Massey has no serious opposition. In the expiring Parliament three Auckland City seats were held by supporters of Sir Joseph Ward, and the Reform Party is making a strong bid for two of these. In the Auckland East electorate Mr Myers is opposed by Mr Clutha Mackenzie, _ who is putting up a strong arid energetic _ fight. There is also a Labour candidate in the field, and it is difficult to forecast the result of the contest, which lies between MiMyers and Mr Mackenzie. In Auckland West, for which seat Mr Poole is not seek-

ing re-election, the ccyvtestants are Messrs C. F. Bennett (Reform"-, A. J. Entrican (Independent Liberal), £ltid M. J. Savage (Labour). Each of these candidates is receiving strong support, and the result is greatly in doubt. In Auckland Central, which has been represented for -11 years by Mr "Albert Edward" Glover, it is unlikely that there will be any change, although it is quite safe to predict that the large majorities hitherto received by the sitting member will be reduced. Tho Labour candidate (Mr W.. E. Parr) will give Mr Glover a good run, but the Reform candidate, Mr J. J. Thomas, is not a serious factor in the election. In Parnell the sitting member, Mr J. S. Dickson, is opposed by Mrs Baume (widow of the late Mr F. E. Baimy*, M.P. for Auckland East) and Mr T. Bloodworth (Labour). The indications are that the fight lies between Messrs Dickson and Bloodworth, tho former probably securing re-election. For Grey Lynn there is also a woman candidate -Miss Ellen Melville, who has been a member of the City Council for several years past. She is the official Reform candidate, and has as her most formidable opponent Mr Geo. Fowlds, who is standing as an Independent Liberal. There are' throe Labour candidates, but none is in the running, although all will take votes from Mr Fowlds.

Mr Jennings, the fritting Liberal member for Taumarunui (now renamed Waitomo) is likely to hold that seat. Mr Poland (the Libera] member for Ohinemuri) will probably have another close contest with Mr Joseph Clark (Reform), who was only 100 voles behind him at the last election. Mr W. D. S. MacDonald is likely to retain the Bay of Plenty seat. ELECTION NOTES. A questioner at Mr Malcolm's election meeting at Balelutha on Tuesday night showed a disposition to cross-examine the candidate on matrimonial problems. He was completely silenced by Mr Malcolm's reply to one of his questions. " What encouragement," he asked " would you hold out to a young married woman to rear a family?" Mr Malcolm replied: "The encouragement of any good woman who wants to become a mother." The reply was greeted with loud applause. The suggestion was mado by a questioner at Mr G. W. Russell's meeting on Monday night that fanners who refused to grow wheat were, like the miners, following the "go-slow" policy. Mr Russell said that New -Zealand must grow its own wheat, and the men who owned wheat lands must realise their responsibility, and if there was no other way, he would be prepared to advocate that the Government should resume possession of the wheat lands of the oountry, and lease them to men who were prepared to grow wheat. "That's nationalisation, that's Socialism," _was interjected, and the candidate was reminded of his denunciation of the first plank in the Labour Party's platform—"the socialisation of the means of production and distribution." Said Mr Russell: "If I am giving you a little instalment of the Labour policy you will all want to -\ ote for me." The following resolution (moved by Mr S. Borenam) was carried at Mr. Scott's meeting at Hawea Flat: —"That the Government ho requested to provide launches to bring the electors residing along the shores of the lakes to the poll." _ Mr Scott promised to forward the resolution to the Government to* favourable consideration. There is a possibility that a woman Maori candidate may be nominated against the Hon. Dr Pomare, for the Western Maori district. Every elector who neglects to vote because he does not find" a candidate who conforms absolutely to his views incurs a risk of bringing about the election of a candidate whom he would not on any account support. Every elector who abstains from voting against an anti-British candidate in effect votes for that candidate. If the Board of Trade had not fixed the price of wheat, bread would have been Is or Is 2d per loaf- to-day, said Mr Munro at his meeting last night. He added that sugar would have been W or 5d per lb. Mr Munro contended that the Government could have fixed tho price of other commodities in the same way. "I am looking forward to the time," said Mr C. E. Statham at Caversham last evening, "when every person who has lived the requisite number of years will receive a pension as an absolute right, and will not be penalised in any way because he or she has been of a saving disposition; and has managed to put by a small amount of money." The statement was endorsed by cordial applause. Mr A. S. Malcolm devoted some attention at Balelutha on Tuesday night to local matters, and, in the course of his remarks, ho referred particularly to the flood danger which from time to time menaces the safety of the town. He reminded his audience that he had been instrumental in getting the Rivers Commission set up, but owing to tho illness of the chairman (Mr F.. W. Furkort) the report of that commission had not yet come to hand. He had, however, been urging the Government to allow the first portion of tha report dealing with tho lower reaches of the river, to be mado available, and when that was done he hoped to see a comprehensive scheme of flood protection undertaken, so that Balelutha, would be safeguarded for all time against a repetition of the serious inundations which had been experienced in the past. A curious thing about the present _ election is the extent to which tho candidates of the official Labour Party have been drawn from Wellington. Not only do the extremists in Wellington supply candidates for the seats in their own city, and its vicinity, but they supply them also for seats on the East Coast and in the South Island. A Labour candidate was required for Hawke's Bay. Mr C. H. Chapman was sent away from Wellington to contest the seat. One was required for Gisborne. Mr Brindle, who shared with Mr Semple and Mr Fraser the distinction of imprisonment for his seditious utterances during the war, was sent from Wellington to contest the seat. It might have been supposed that Canterbury, out of its motley collection of eccentrics, could . have supplied Labour candidates for all the seats in that district. Not so, however. From Wellington was obtained a candidate to contest tho Riccarton scat.

Speaking at Wyndham on Tuesday night, Mr IX M'Dougall, the Liberal candidate for Mat aura, expressed special sympathy with the man who was working hard and bringing up a large family. Ho was, he said, out in tho interests of tho dairyman—he and, his people had been in the business for tha past 30 years —and he did not know that he would have come out to contest a seat if it had not been for the imposition of the buttor-fat tax. In the present Government there were men belonging to many

walks of life, but he asked his hearers, wa* there one man directly representative of the dairy farmer? Surely the dairy farmer —a hard toiler who arose early unci went to bed late—was entitled to someone to watch his interests, whether ho was M*Dougali or not. "I am out on the family ticket, also," declared Mr M'Dougali, explaining that ho was the father of 13 children and the grandfather of 17.

.It is an umtsua] thing for a part-,- leader, who is not burdened with the responsibilities of office, to promise the fulfilment o£ a programme ot puo.ro works, xiiu present; election has, however, produced this novelty. Mr Harry Atmoro (Liberal-Labour candidate for Noison) sent the following telegram to Sir Joseph Ward last week: "Re Nelson Midland railway, Glenhope to Murchison section, pleato reply definitely stating whether this is included in your programme of works to be completed in three years." Mr Atmore received the following reply I] "Yes, Midland railway, Glenhope to Mur* chison, l'a included .In my programme for" completion in three years. —(Signed), J. G. Ward."

A great opportunity is available here for Mr Paul. Why not promise the opening of the railway to Roxburgh in two years, and the constraction of the Tuapeka Mouth line within the same time?

In answc- to a question at one of his meetings this week, whether he considered Massey and Ward the only two possible leaders in the country, and whether ha was pledged to Sir Joseph Ward, Mr A. M. Myers replied in the negative. "Both Sir Joseph Ward arid Mr Massey have dona good work," he said, "but it would ba absurd to say they are the only possible men in the country as leaders. »For my own position, I anl, and always have been, a .strong Liberal, and if Sir Joseph Ward moves a vote of no-confidence I will vote in favour of it. . After that, I want -to be perfectly free in my action, because it is my desire to bring about a strong Government. I hope I am making myself quite clear in that respect." There are 78 polling places in the Wakatipu electorate, 75 in Clutha, 58 in Waitaki, 57 in Bruce, and 42 in Chalmers. The Mataura electorate, with 40 polling booths : is more compact than any. of these. The Bay of Islands electorate, with 92 polling booths, is the most scattered in the whole dominion.

.' Neyer so lon<j as I am in Parliament will I serve under Massey,"' said Mr Wilford, when questioned at one of his meetings last week as to h>a attitude if. a Coalition Government was again formed. _ Every man who was sound in politics was an Independent so far a» his action in the House was concerned. He could voto against Bills and talk as he pleased, and the only thing the leaders asked was, "Where are yoa on a .-10-confidence motion?" —Mr W. D. S. MacDonald, speaking at Gisborne. Mr J. Vigor Brown, like Mr MacDonald, a member of the Liberal Pnrtjj in the lata Parliament, has a different story to tell. Ho declare 3 that he has frequently had to vote in opposition to his convictions in order that he might be loyal to his party. At a political meeting in the Riecarton electorate last week an elector made the definite statement that Mr Massey was one of the largest shareholders in the Auckland flourmills. • The idoa behind the statement apparently was to show that this was the reason that tho Primo Minister had countenanced the system of the subsidy to the millers, and also why the wheat-growing farmers of Canterbury and North Otago had found it difficult to obtain more favourable terms in connection with the Government wheat control and the prices, paid for the cereal. Mr Devereux, the Reform candidato for Riecarton, of course, could not deny the statcmeut oft hand at the meeting, but'vhe Hon. R. Moore was curious enough about, the matter to telegraph to Mr Massey at Queenstown. asking if tho allegation was trtio. Tho Prime Minister replied on Saturday : "Tho statement is an absolute fabrication. I have nevr: owned a thare in any fio'.ir mill in my life." "I issue a challenge to any worker present "to change bank accounts with me," said Mr Entrican (Progressive Liberal candidate for Auckland West), in answer to a number of scoffing interjections to his expressed belief- that more economy and saving were needed to help tho_ country to tackle its financial" problems. Voice from the back of the hall: Will you change it? No fea,::.—(Laughter.) The candidate, repeated the offer, whereupon a member of the audience approached tho platform and offered "to 6wap bank accounts" there and then. Mr Entrican: All right. I will take your bank account, and vou take my over-draft-—(laughter, and cries of "Oh")—at 12 o'clock to-morrow at the Town Hall, and bring your bank book vith you.—(Renewed laughter). The man with the bank account undertook to be there, and retired amid a torrent; of merriment from the much-entertaine<3 audience.