THE ELECTIONS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 267, 15 December 1914, Page 5

THE ELECTIONS.

CHRISTCHUBCH SOUTH. 11. G.. Ell (L.) . . .. 4500 G. R. Whiting (Lab.) .. 2173 F. B. Hughes (R.) .. 1272 There are about twenty-one other absent voters' papers yet to come in. AVON. The following are the totals after the recount for the Avon electorate, exclusive of absent voters' permits arid the votes of the Expeditionary Force. These will not be known for two or three days yet, but they are not likely to affect the result: — G. W. Russell (L.) .. 3567 D. G. Sullivan (Lab.) .. 2546 H. D. Acland (R.) .. 2208 Informal . . .. .'. -. 51 HURTJNTJI. The official count resulted:— - G. W. Forbes (L.) .. 3233 • W. A. Banks (R.) .. 1747 Informal .. .... 46 Majority for Forbes .. 1486 ASHBVBTON. The result after the recount and the addition of the soldiers' and absentees' votes is as under:— W. Nosworthy (R.) .. 3186 W. S. Maslin (L.) .. 3039 Informal 62 Maj 'fcy for Nosworthy 147 HAWKE'S BAY. Press Association. HASTINGS, December 14. There were 217 Expeditionary and absent voters' papers returned for Hawke's Bay. Of these 119 went to Br McNab and 98 to Mr Campbell, reducing the latter's majority from 207 to 196. WAIRARAPA SEAT. CARTERTON, December 15. The final returns are:— Hornsby 3165 .., Buchanan .. .. 310'5 THE DUNEDIN SEATS. DITNEDIN WEST. DUNEDIN, December 14.

In Dunedin West electorate 11 seamen's votes and 217 absent votes have come to hand. They were distributed as follows:—Stewart, 2 seamen's votes, absent votes; Johnson, 8 seamen's votes, and 93 absent votes; Maguire, 1 seaman's vote, 1 absent vote. The final result is:— ! W. D. Stewart (R.) .. 4038 J. T. Johnson (L.) .. 3693 W. E. Maguire (Lab.) 95 DUNEDIN, December 15. The official counts have resulted:— "DUNEDIN NORTH. Walker .... .. 4073 Thomson 3749 j CENTRAL. Munro .. .. 3799 Stratham '. 3791 It is stated that in Central a recount may be asked for. SPOBTS PROTECTION. LEAGUE AND CANDIDATES. Press Association. WELLINGTON, December 15. The chairman of the Board of Control of the New Zealand Sports Protection League (Mr C. P. Skerrett, K.C.), referring to the part taken by the league in the elections, states that in reply to representations made, a very large proportion of the successful candidates were willing to maintain the rights of the people to the free enjoyment of all legitimate sports, and to oppose any curtailment of statutory privileges in connection therewith. A majority of members also favour the .principle that all recreation grounds not used for private gain should be exempted from local rates.

COMMENT FKOM SYDNEY. LOCAL NAVY PROBLEM. By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. (Received December 15, 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 15. The "Herald," in a leader commenting on the New Zealand elections, says: —"We trust that the system of local units will not be decided by the party vote. Our experience has taught us that only local navies can secure, the safety of the Dominions, but we are prepared to admit that we stand to gain considerably if the people of New Zealand decide to follow our course. Everything helping to consolidate the influence of the white races in the Pacific would be strengthened, and the efficiency of our fleot enormously increased if the Dominion and the " Commonwealth agree upon a common policy." _