CHRISTCHURCH NORTH SEAT.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12390, 4 November 1908, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH SEAT.

A LIVELY CONTEST.

(Special to "The CJplomst. ") Obristchurch, Nov. 3. in Christchruch the chief interest io the general election centres around the tight for the Christen urch Nofth Boat, between Mr O. M^ Gray (the late member), and Mr T.'*E. Taylor, who was badly beaten by the former three years ago. Mr Gray's parliamentary career, however, is not regarded locally as having been a success, and there is a widespread opinion that this time Mr Taylor will turn the tables on his opponent. Mr Taylor . Has been having most enthusiastic meetings, but on the other nand there has been a strong undercurrent ' of ; opposition shown towards Mr Gray at his meetings, and he has been subjected to tv great deal of " heckling, ' ' mow so than any of 'the other local candidates. There was a great uprifar at the cloae of his inesting last .night. At one stagY of the proceedings a y r oung man, with a grimy face and ragged ' cap, posted on a ledge outside one of the windows, shouted in some, questions which amused tbe audience, and which were ignored by the candidate. ■ "Are you in favour of making Chinamen wear kilts?" asked a facetious young man; Mr Gray smiled, and the audience, easily amused, roared, while ■'. the laughter continued. ; The chairman read another question, and to tins Mr Gray' gave an emphatic reply, "Yes, 1 am," and the audience, assuming that it referred to the Celestials' kilts, laughed some more. It was explained that the question was whether the • caudi date favoured the removal o£ political restrictions from civil servants. Th'a grimy faced person at the window tbrew:in some more questions, and tho chair man rose to deal with him. "Con stable ..he shouted, beckoning to an ■officer who stoodnear the doorway/ and the face at the window disappeared. There was a thud on the cold hard earth, and the audience laughed merrily. The storm raged for some time, and ■, at the close of the meeting the dispute wa3 continued outside. Thfl partisan cheers for the candidates agitated the night aj,r for quite a considerable time.