The Pahiatua Herald. with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. MONDAY. OCTOBER 30, 1893.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume I, Issue 69, 30 October 1893, Page 2

The Pahiatua Herald. with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. MONDAY. OCTOBER 30, 1893.

There is, after all, to be a scramble for the Masterton seal. Mr Darkness has been so carried by the volubility and professed confidence of his principal supporters as to have thrown caution to the winds and definitely announced himself as a contestant for the seat. We are aware that many w’ho in previous elections had been found ranged on the side of the party with which he is associated endeavoured to dissuade him from what could not, under ordinary circumstances, be other than a losing fight. ; but with blind fatuity his principal henchmen painted his prospects in such glowing colors that he made the plunge without misgivings—and a plunge into a maelstrom he will find it before the elections are over. Mr Darkness is an uncompromising Conservative of the old school, and can, therefore, have no sympathy for the people in such a district as ours. He is absolutely unaware of their most urgent requirements and at heart is probably thoroughly indifferent to them. Had he been well advised he would not have faced the fight that he has now entered on. He has to face the opposition of the strongest candidate who ever entered the field in the Liberal interests in this electorate, the present member for Masterton, Mr A. VV. Hogg. Every pledge that Mr llogg gave on the hustings he has faithfully redeemed and in every manner in which a representative could be of service he has assisted his constituency. He has been an exceptionally good member, and has an excellent claim to the gratitude of his constituents—a claim which we are sure they will not be slow to recognise and discharge. But there is at present a probability of a disturbing element being introduced. Mr W. W. McCardle has, it is said, announced himself as a candidate for the seat on the Liberal ticket. Speaking plainly, this means that Mr McCardle will divide the Liberal vote with Mr Hogg and the Prohibition vote with Mr Harkness, and that ho hopes thus to slip in between the two. His candidature must strengthen the hands of Mr Harkness to an appreciable degree, while it must also to an extent injure Mr Hogg’s prospects. Mr McCardle’s real intentions and views will be eagerly looked for by the electors.