CAMPAIGN IN FULL SWING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10965, 7 May 1907, Page 4

CAMPAIGN IN FULL SWING.

Very keen interest (telegraphs the New Plymouth correspondent of the Post) is being taken in the by-election, and the polling is likely to be heavier than usutd. Over five hundred names have been added to the roll since Mr Smith's death, the friends of two of the chief aspirants being "fnainly responsible. Not alone in the town, but also in the country is'thfe excitement working up, the short time till the day of the election making activity necessary. There are over thirty- polling places iu the electorate, and candidates will not have a spare moment between now and election day. It will be necessary, in the circumstances, to hold several meetings hi the day time. As to the chances of the respective candidates, it is the popular opinion that the fight will rest between Mr Dockrill and Mr Okey. The former's friends, or the most sanguine of them, talk of a 500 majority; but it is more than probable that the struggle will be a particularly dose one. The Government candidate may win, provided the party is loyal to him, but. ori that head there are doubts jn some quarters. Thc bulk of the late Mr Smith's following may be expected to give allegiance to My Dockrill, but, on the other hand, although Mr Bellringer gave way for the .sake of the party, it is problematical whether his supporters, who numbered between 800 and 900 at the last election will vote for the Government man. Many of them arc Prohibitonists and personal friends of Mr Bellringer, ami it is more than likely that the majority will transfer tbeir affections to Mr Okey. In the country Mr Okey should get a pull, his views on tho land question being popular; but it is said that Mr. Dockrill will also poll well in the country, and that this, with an undoubted town majority, ensures his success. Mr Malone, whose speech in New Plymouth on Wednesday night was well received, has some ardent supporters, but it is doubtful if he will poll a great many votes, as the feeling is that the fight must be one between the Government and the Opposition. However, like many another "dark horse," he may effect a surprise as to the amount of support he can command. He is an earnest man, and with practice should develop into a good platform speaker.