THE INANGAHUA ELECTION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2705, 25 May 1883, Page 3

THE INANGAHUA ELECTION.

The Inangahutt Times of May 16th thus describes thooleolion : — The polling for the return of a member to represent Inangahua m the Housa of Representatives took placo on Monday last. Throughout Saturday and Sunday public excitement ran very high, nnd the supporters of the respective ran^idutes worked with the utmost z*al. From daylight on the polling day people wero alert, and tho plans of tho oiinpaign were get m motion. The town wns placarded with fltming posters indicating to the electors the way m which they should cmt their votes, und warning tbe public of the great dangers which would result from defeat or victory of the rejpectivo candicrates. The poll opened at 9 o'clock a.m., and from that hour onwards crowds of people gathered m Bridge ttreet, m the vicinity of the Courthouse, and as the voters rolled m excitement rose, and tbe battle of the day proceeded. Everything, however, was conductod very orderly and even good-huraorertly, and there wns not the least unpleaeantnefs throughout the day. The Committees of tbe candidates worked hard, and the vehicles m use on eaoh side were kept cans! ant ly going. By 5 o'clock every available voter had been brought to tho poll, and when the door was closed the Committees retired, satisfied that they bad dono their best. Shortly before 7 o'clock the crowd reassembled near the Courthouse, when tho result of tho Reefton voting was announced. The figures gave Mr Shaw a majority of 118, a result which was received with immense cheering hy his supporters, and which was a perfeot staggerer to Mr Wakefield's friends. Shortly afterwards, however, came the returns from Black's Foinl, the majority of 50 being tbia time for Mr Wakefield. This result gave the supporters of the latter gentleman freeh hope, but almost immediately afterwards a telegram was received announcing the Boatman's returns, which added another 50 to Mr Shaw's majority, which now stood at 118 for the thres Keefton polling places. In the course- of a few minutes the Brunnerlon figures came to hand, showing a majority for Mr Wakefield of 68, thus reducing Mr Shaw's lead to CO. The Brunnerton figures, though very good, were a little disappointing, 85 to 90 being the numbers depondod upon. Ahaura was the ntxt to be announced, and reduced Mr Shaw's majority by 7. MrShaw now led by 43, and his supporters were very jubilant, but the jubilation was rather short lived, for almost immediately after came the No Town returns, which brought a majority of SO for Mr Wakeflold, nnd landed him within 13 of his opponent. Five returns wero still (o come m, and the jubilation was now on the aide of Mr Wakefield's friends, who felt tolerably certain of victory. Nelson Creok was the next to come m, the figures being, however, yerv close, the' majority of only one going to Mr Shaw. Granville cime next with a majority of four for Mr Wakeflcld, reducing the lead of his opponent to eight. Excitement now ran very high, and the opposing parties were m almost breathlose expectation. This state of things was, however, very short-lived, for closely following came the Orwell Creek returns, which gave Mr Shaw the nnexpectrd large majority of 30. This return fell like a wet blanket upon the hopes of Mr Wakefleld's supporters, his opponent's load now standing at 38. Considering that Orwell Creek is the smallest polling place but one m the eleotorate, numbering only some 63 voter* on the roll, the result was indeed surprising. Still the oase was not yet regarded as bopelesi-, and an interval of an hour followed, and whl'.'h was one of considerable anxiety to both sides. Tbe Little Grey returns, however, set all doubt at rest, adding as they did 13 to Shaw's majority. The only return now to ootne m was Moonlight, which could not possibly affeot the result. These wora shortly received, and gave Mr Wakefleld a majority of seven, thus leaving Mr Shaw the victor with a majority of 46, the total votes polled on each side being Shaw 826 ; Wakefirld, 780, making together 1606 votes. The figures at the last election were — Weston, 739 ; Reeve*, 516 ; MoLean, 59 ; making a total of 1314. The total number of votes polled on this occasion was larger than was expected, and gives a good index to tho interest felt m the contest. It will be seeu that Mr Wakefield obtained majorities at five out of tho eight polling places m the Q-rey Valley, tho total voles m tbttt portion of the eleotorate being— Wakefiold, 415; Sbaw, 343. It is also worthy of note, as aocounting m a great way for the disparity m the voting at Orwell Creek and Little Gray, that Mr Wakefield did not vi»it the latter placo at all, owing to pressure of time, and was only m Orwell Creek twice, and then at night time, and therefore had no opportunity of meeting the electors privately.