THE ELECTIONS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1208, 24 July 1884, Page 2

THE ELECTIONS.

GERALDINE. The polling for the election of members to the House of Representatives took place, throughout the colony yes-, terday. In this district, as has been the case for years past, the interest taken in the election was very great, and in lemuka' the stores were closed in the afternoon. Thera were three candidates for the seat, but the contest really lay between Messrs Cox and Eolleston. The supporters of each were confidentofthesuccess of their candidate, and spared no efforts to bring voters to the poll. Private vehicles were going through the district bringing voters to the polling places. It appeared to be a good -day for the hotels. There is one feature in connection with elections in Temuka which would be bettefffiouored in the breach than in the observance, and that is tha meaningless horseplay in the main street. Candidates and citizens, and even the police', were treated alike, the latter making’ no efforts to stop the nuisance. In, at any rate, one instance the victim was'very severely ■ handled. Of course great allowance can be made fot an election time. As far as the election proper- was (concerned everything went off very quietly. Messrs Cox and RolleStorf were in Geraldine during the afternoon, and returned to Temuka about 5 o’clock. Mr Cox was cheered on returning from Geraldine, and cheers wec,e ; given for Mr Ilolleston when the result of the polling at Temuka, and also when the result of the the election, was made known a few minutes before ten o’clock. Mr W. Coltman, jrfnr., acted as scrutineer for Mr Rollestqn, and Mr E. Pilbrow acted in the same capacity for Mr Cox Messrs Heap and Lavvfon acted as poll clerks.

In Geraldine from nn early hour on Tuesday morning the greatest activity was displayed by the supporters of the various candidates, and throughout the day vehicles of different kinds tore down the main street laden with their livmg burdens which were deposited »t the entrance to the Courthoa.se., It was rumored from an early hour that Mr Franks either had or would resign in favor of one of the other candidates, but when he put in an appearance this illusion was quickly .dispelled. One of his opponent’s supporters subjected him to a deal of badinage, which he took with the utmost good humor. In the afternoon the photograph was taken of Messrs Rollestori and Cox by Mr Lloyd, the local photographer. The supporters of the candidates were kept busily employed button holing the electors as .

they approached the Courthouse, and discoursed with them on the superior merits of their candidate and the especial demerits of the others. Between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. the Returning Officer, Mr Dyson, declared the result of the polling. And now the excitement began in real earnest. Some parsons brought a figure supposed to represent one of the candidates on the unoccupied section opposite the Courthouse, and burnt it to the delight of the larrikins. A very large crowd of persons collected outside the Courthouse .’and the larrikins, amongst whom were several grown-up men, indulged in throwing small bags of flour at the passers-by and also amongst the crowd. It had been expected that Mr Cox would have ; obtained a majority of votes here, and his supporters calculated it would put him in. As, however, the returns came from the other polling places, they found that Mr Rolleston was ahead. Throughout the day a roaring business was done at the Crown Hotel, and Mine Host Farrell and his assistants were kept busily engaged. A large tricolored flag on which the name of the township, “ Geraldine,” was written in large letters, fluttered in the breeze from one of the windows. It was not till ' a very late hour that the actual. result of the polling throughout the district became known, after which the crowd gradually dispersed.

DECLARATION OF, THE POLL,

The official declaration of the poll for the Geraldine district took place at 1 p.m. yesterday at Tehmka., There was a large number of electors present. Mr Wills, Returning Officer, stated the.result of the, poll as follows : - Polling Place. Rolleston. Cox. Pranks, Terauka ... 243 132 9 Waitohi Flat ... 31 7 Geraldine, ... 113 159 5 Woodbury ... 25 19 4' S. Rangitata ... 23 9 Winchester ... 17 57 Kakahu ... 16 20 2 473 403 20 His duty wes therofore to declare the Hon. W. Rolleston duly elected. (Cheers). The Hon. W. Rolleston, who was received with applause, said he could not sufficiently thank them for the honor they had done him. He had to thank the gentlemen who had so warmly and cordially supported him. But for their co-operation he would not have been elected. He felt it was better to have contested and won than not have contested at all. He also felt that the election showed the deep interest they felt in politics, and that the result proved they were sound on two points. They showed by their votes that they believed in the national system of education, and also that the taxation should fall on the shoulders of those best able to bear it. They too 'showed they disapproved of a monopoly of the land being given to anyone. Nothing bad occurred during the election that was to be regretted. He owed a debt of gratitude to the gentlemen who had helped in putting him in. He i wa g also glad to say that though he was opposed to a large section of the electors on the education question, he had never met with anything like religious rancour and unpleasantness in all his canvassing. He was always treated with thw-groi nst courtesy. He also felt indebte i to a large section of the community who represented the temperance movement. They gave him their support, and they could • rely on it that he would do his best fer them, and he would try to do his duty for the whole district. (Cheers). Mr Cox, who was received with deafening cheers, said he had listened with much satisfaction to the speech of Mr Rolleston. ■Althoughsnot at the head of the list he did not feel like a defeated candidate. He felt highly honored by the large number of votes he had received. (Cheers.) He would now strive to forget this election, but he would never forget the many kind friends who had stood by him throughout. Mr Rolleston and himself were now as good friends as ever. They had a good representative, he now hoped they would accept the position and make as much use of him as possible.

(Cheers.) Mr Pranks said that since he announced his canvass lie had left nothing undone which it was possible for him to do in a straightforward honest way,. He had certainly calculated upon bettor support, for wherever he went he was well received, and got repeated assurances of confidence and pledges of support-enough to encourage anyone, even those of a less sanguine temperament, than he possessed He was out of the running altogether, a fact which he attributed to one of three causes, or perhaps more properly to three causes combined. Ha was too late in the field, and many electors had promised their votes. Rumors were spraad abroad that he was brought forward in order to split the votes, and though be bad strained bard to dispel the impression he was sure he had not succeeded in all cases. Another cauce was that many who wished for his success, saw that he had no chance and therefore thought it wiser not to throw their votes away. He was glad they did not do so. He much preferred having their few votes to interfering with the chances of either of the other candidates. It could not now be said that be had spoiled either of them. He still felt that he was justified in coming forward. Ho felt the cause was a good one ; he had tried his band and haijnot succeeded,-therefore he felt satisfied in that respect. It now remained for him to bear his defeat with as good grace as possible under the circumstances. He thanked those who did vote for him, and hoped that all would work for the best. He believed there was an over-ruling Providence ordering all things and he hoped to profit, by his experience in this election. Ha would now propose a vote’of thanks to tha Returning Officer and his deputies. (Cheers.)

The Hon, W. Rolleston seconded die motion. While|Mr Wills was inside yesterday placing him (Mr Rolleston) at the top of the poll, others were outside giving liira the ‘ sack.’ (Great laughter). Mr Wills briefly acknowledged the compliment. In respanse to a general cry, Mr Bolton came forward and addressed the electors in a humorous speech. He referred to his own part in tiia election* and said he

would produce the requisition of S. Clinch, Esq., and the 135 others at the next election. Ho had .been promised support hr Messrs Cox, Rolleston, and Franks. He had educated a small army of politicians, but they all deserted him, and that was the leason he gavo up the election. (Tremendous cheering). The crowd then dispersed.

TI MARTI.

The election at Timaru created not a little excitement, much speculation being rife as to the wsult. The stores were closed, and everybody gave themselves up to electioneering. The following is the result

THE NEW PARLIAMENT.

The following members have now been returned. *Means returned unopposed, and member of last Parliament :■ —

The result* of several of the above districts may be affected by returns yet to come in.

Turnbull ... • • • ... 499 Kerr ... 331 Majority for Turnbull ... 168 GLADSTONE. For Gladstone there were four candidates, and much interest wad taken in the result. Still maoy of the electors did not show up and record their rotsa. The following is the result : - (3 O ■ E .S Tolling Place. © 40 o T) s o *4 "3 CO a ■< 1 o a vV'ashdyke . 137 33 88 2 iPleaaant Point 41 79 48 S Fairlie Creek... 45 13 19 Burke’s Past ... , 16 4 3 i Mount Peel .. . 14 8 14 — Pareora 29 2 7 — 282 184 129 5

CANTERBURY. Geraldine... Hon. W. Rollostonj Gladstone... J. H. Sutter t Tiraaru P.. Turnbull J Waimate .. W. J. Steward $ Selwyn E. Wakefield Kaiapoi E. Richardson Christchurch North Sir J. Vogel Christchurch South J. Holmes J Avon L. Harper Stanmore... ... D. Reese Lyttelton... H. Allwright t St. Albans F. J. Garrick Sydenham W. White t Ashburton J. C. Walker Lincoln ... A. P. O’Gallaghan t Ashley ... W. F. Pearson t Akaroa W, Montgomery t Heatbcote J. S. Coster Waknnui ... J. Grigg Coleridge D. McMillan t Cheviot Gibson AUCKLAND, Auckland North ... T. Thompson A u c k 1 a n'd City East ... Sir George Grey . Auckland West ... J. M. Dargavillet Thames ... W. Fraser Newton T. ‘Peacockt Bay of Islands ... R. Hobbs t Onehunga SirM. O’Korke % East Coast S. Locket Coromandel A. J. Cadman t Waipa E. Lake Tauranga ... G. B. Morris t Franklyn ISorth ... W. F. Bucklaad Franklin South ... E. Hamlin *X Eden J. A. Tole t Parnell F. J. Moss t Rodney ... s... W, Mo ate Whitemata Hurst Marsden ... Hon E. Mitchelson*! Waikato ... J, B. Whyte *t HAWKE’S bay. HiwkesBay Captain Russell Waipawa ... W. 0. Smith t Napier J. D. Ormond TARANAKI. Egmont ... Hon. Major Atkiiv Taranaki ... sont Colonel Trimble J New Plymouth ... 0. Samuel WELLINGTON. Wellington South —Fisher Wanganui J. Ballanne Te Aro .... C. J. Johnston $ Foxton J. G. Wilson t Wairarapa South W. G. Buchanan t Wairarapa North... G. Baethamt Halt . H. S. Fitzherbert Rangit'kei R. Bruce Waitotara... Hon. J. BryceJ Manawatu D. H. McArthur Thor nd on Dr Newman NELSON. Nelson H. A. Levestara % Inangahua R. Reeves Waimea ... ... J. Shepherd t Buller E. O’Connor Motueka ... B. Hursthouse MARLBOROUGH. Picton Hon. E. T. Conoilyt Wairau ... H. Dodson t WESTLAND. Hokitika ... FitzGerald Greymouth A. R. Guinness Kuinara ... ... R. J. Saddon t OTAGO. * DunedinEast It. Stout Dunedin West ... D. Stewart Dunedin South ... J. Gore Dunedin Central... J. B. Bradshaw Dunatan ... Y. Pjko*t Port Chalmers J. Macandrow Clutha J. W. Thomson Caversham W. Barron *t Oamaru ... S. E. ShrimskiJ Moeraki ... J. McKenzie J Invercargill J. Hatch Taieri J. Fulton t Tuspeka ... J. C. Brown t Bruce R. Gillies Wallace ... H. Hirst Mataura ... G. F. Richardson Waikouaiti J. C. Buckland Peninsula... W. J. M. Larnach t Mount Ida — McKenzie Wakatipu... T. Fergus t Awarua ... . . J. P. Joycet Hckonui ... C. Cowan Roslyn ... A. H. Ross Waitaki ... T. Duncan t