TARANAKI SEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1925, Page 10

TARANAKI SEAT.

BELLRINGER’S SMALL LEAD. ABSENT VOTES WILL DECIDE. FINAL RESULT WEEK-END. Absentee votes totalling 452 will decide whether t'he Taranaki constituency is to be represented in the new Parliament by Mr. -0. E. Bellringer (Reform) or Mr. S. G. Smith (Nationalist/. In a record poll of 9961 votes cast, Mr. Bellringer had last night a majority of 51, the votes recorded in his favour in booths in the constituency totalling 4384. Mr. Smith has 4333 votes. The Labour candidate (Mr. W. A. Sheat) is well out of the running with 740 votes. Informal votes numbering 52 and the known absentee votes totalling C 452 make up the poll of 9961. How heavy was the poll is indicated by the fact that 9961 voters out of 10,976 on the roll exercised their privileges under the franchise. Apart from the fact that the roll at this election was bigger than at any previous election, due principally to increases in the population of the constituency and also partly to compulsory enrolment, the voting was heavier in proportion than at any other election, even when there were important issues dividing the candidates. Another factor contributing to the heaviness of the poll was the generally favourable weathqr conditions which prevailed during the greater part of yesterday, the only disturbing elepient being a heavy shower early in the afternoon. Again supporters of the three candidates and also of the contesting parties in the licensing poll were early abroad with cars, and it was not for lack of , trnsport that the 1015 who vote did not go to the booths. Practically every house was called on, the inquirers particularly asking whether there were any invalids in the household who would be glad of a lift. ARRANGEMENTS FOR POLLING. I For conducting the election, full detailed arrangements had been made by the returning officer (Mr. H. Gilmore Smith) and the appreciation expressed by the candidates in their addresses last night of Mr. Smith’s services in that respect were well deserved. To take over a difficult constituency like that of Taranaki on the eve of an election is no sinecure, and the fact that Mr. Smith was able to make the arrangements he did and that the poll proceeded so smoothly speaks volumes to his credit. Voters took heed of the advice not to rush the polling booths at any hour and the result was a steady stream of electors from the time the booths opened at nine in the morning until they closed at six in the evening. Absentee voters from other electorates were greater than was ex peeled. and although two booths with an adequate staff were at their disposal at the courthouse, there was a permanent queue throughout the day. The first returns came to hand about seven o’clock, and thereafter ’they followed in quick succession until Messrs. , Smith and Bellringer topped the 4004; mark. Then came a period of suspense. At one period Mr. Behringer had a majority of 15 in his favour. The next return reduced the lead to live, and then it went back to 15. What would Okato and Leppcrton do? the crowd asked. These were the only returns to come in. Okato first appeared on the 'board, and Mr. Smith was seen to have

caught up 30, thus gaining a lead of 15. Lepperton seemed a long while in sending in its returns, but they came a few minutes before nine with a majority in favour of Mr. Bellringer of 66, thus giving him his present lead of 51. '"GOOD OLD CHARLIE.” Advices of the recording of votes by absentee votes were received throughout the day by the returning officer. These advices contained merely the information that such and such an elector had voted, and gave no indication as to the direction in which the vote, had been given. These voting papers will come to the returning officer by post, and it probably will not be until Friday or Saturday that the result is placed beyond doubt. The results of the election were awaited by a large crowd in front of a hoarding erected on the Farmers’ Co-op. premises in Powderham Street, and it was from this platform that the candidates made the usual after-elec-tion speeches. The appearance of the candidates was the signal for cheers, which were renewed when 'Mr. Bellringer stepped forward to speak. “Good old Charlie,” was the greeting that rose above the cheers and there were also some, cries to the effect that he was not “in” yet. “I have to thank all those who have supported mo in to-day’s contest,” Mr. Bellringer said. “There are over 420 absentee votes to come yet “You won’t get a hundred of them/’ a voice cried. “Sr* you will have to possess yourselves in patience until you get the final result/’ Mr. Bellringer continued. “And it won’t be in your favour,” the same enthusiastic opponent cried. “Well, I’m 51 in t'he lead at any rate,” Mr. Bellringer said amidst cheers. Amidst further cheers, another voice inquired what Mr. Bellringer had to say about Dairy Control and the port, but the question was not pressed. •* Mr. Bellringer Padded that the fight had been a clean one and that he had done nothing in it he need be ashamed of. He was sure he could shake hands with Mr. Smith and Mr. Sheat and they could with him. CLEANEST FIGHT YET. Further remarks were drowned in a series of unintelligible interjections mixed with applause and cheers, leading Mr. Bellringer to observe that he was sorry there was so much interruption. This was the first occasion in Taranaki that the first speaker had been interrupted so much. The first speaker usually had a fair hearing. Mr. Bellringer added that lie was not exulting over the result. The cheering broke out in volume when Mr. Smith stepped to the rail. “With so many of my supporters absent from the district (cheers) on important business, I believe I still have a sporting ebknee (cheers) of retaining the honourable position of your representative in Parliament,” Mr. Smith said. “I have fought a clean, hard fight against tremendous odds, and I have nothing to regret,” he continued amidst further cheers. Be believed that this had been the cleanest fight that had taken place in the constituency for many years, and if it should ao happen that in the final count he was defeated lie would congratulate his opponent and wish him well. WILL COME BACK AGAIN. lie would jiever forget the support and assistance he had received from many thousands of people since first he had been elected, Mr. Smith continued. He had not been able to repay his supporters, but nevertheless he would always be able to remember that he had done his best in the interests of all his constituents. Mr. Smith paid a tribute to Mr. Gilmore Smith for the arrangements he had made as returning officer and added that if he (the speaker) were given a short holiday he would be back again. Whatever was the result of the election throughout New Zealand he hoped that out of it would come a strong, stable government which would help to put the affairs of the country on a better footing. On Mr. Smith’s call, three cheers were given for Mr. Bellringer, the crowd also responding to a call from one of its number for cheers for Mr. Smith. The cheers which had been given for the other candidates were repeated for Mr. Sheat, who stiaight away congratulated his two - opponents on the very big poll they had put up. He then thanked the 740 electors who. in spite of the opposition to the Labour Party and. the unpopularity of its cause, hud rallied behind him that day. Mr. Sheat said that he entered the fight recognising that he would have an uphill struggle and 740 votes in an electorate never before contested by labour was no mean record. He endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers regarding the clean manner in which the contest had been conducted. He had gone into the fight with clean Lands and he had come out of it with clean hands. He had no regrets at having entered the fight, and he was not dismayed by the result. He had polled more votes than many had expected he would. A voice: “You polled more than Paddy O'Dea would.” TRIBUTE TO PRESS. L Mr. Sheat went on to prophesy that though Labour had been defeated in the Taranaki constituency the party would gain throughout New Zealand and would be the official opposition in the new Parliament. After endorsing the remarks passed concerning the returning officer, Mr. Sheat said ho wished to place on record hit. appreciation of the fair deal lie had. received from the New Plymouth press. Ho recognised that in the leading columns he would be up against it. but in ♦’»<* news columns the papers had given him a fair deal and very fair reports t -f his meetings. The Labour Party, ho said, had received better treatment than it-’ had expected. 'Although the poll for Labour on this occasion has been a compare* livelysmall one, I want to say that Labour will win this constituency before loin,” Mr. Sheat added (laughter). f Tn the new Parliament Labour will he the official opposition and future contests will be between two parties only and Labour will go on to win.” A voice: ‘Never in your life.” Mr. Sheat repeated* his thanks for support, and on his call, cheers were given for his opponents. c heers for the returning officer on the call of Mr. Bellringer ended the ceremomjr-

BellSheaf. Smith Courthouse, N.I*. . . 667 127 755 Coronation flail . . 490 114 568 Whiteley Hall .. . . GOO 90 573 West End School 2S2 74 362 Moturoa . . 138 46 137 Bieakwater .... 3o 104 98

Fitzrov Old Fire Stn 286 23 1'69 Fitzrov Hall 212 35 257 Vogel town. 218 14 149 Frankleigli Park . e 67 5 45 Wallace Place .... 170 13 160 David Street 60 « 93 West own Hall .... 7'9 10 99 Frankley Rd School. 27 1 18 Carrington Road .. 54 3 39 Upper Mangorei O1 20 i 26 Lower Mangorei .. 38 3 ’ 31 Kent Road ...... 35 2 27 Korito ......... 28 25 Albert Road ...... 15 —. 19 Omata ........... 64 4 88 Oakura ......... w 45 4 39 Korn 28 - 10 Kirihau Mill ... .v 11 8 21 Harford Road .... 3 1 38 Tataraimaka .....«■ 63 1 53 Oka to 97 14 127 Puniho 31 -—■ 20 Hillsborough ...... 51 4 29 Tarurutangi ...... 66 —— 22 Bell Block 107 15 m Sentry Hill 29 8 20 Lepperton ........ 111 5 45 Huirangi 43 2 17 Brixton ........... 95 2 36 Totals 4384 740 4333 Informal .... Majority for Bellringer .... 51 About 450 absentee votes and two seamen’s votes to come.