Polling Day.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1950, 5 April 1875, Page 2

Polling Day.

A lively interest was taken in the present election from the first, perhaps because there happens to be" notking else just now to claim an interest, lively or otherwise. Most people .regarding Ohinemuri with the placid expectancy of an army of Micawbers, they were in a condition which admitted of their being ready to find pleasure jn any little diversion which might offer itself. Everybody at Saturday night's meeting appeared to enjoy themselves exceedingly, and this morning all were alert and ready for action, or to be acted upon, as the case might be. Committee men appeared to have arisen when the worm of fable is supposed to sport himself in frolicsome security, for they were working hard, at a, very early hour, taking bewijdered franchisers into custody and bearing them off to the committee-rooms like so many innocent captires from a noble army of martyrs. They were not there to reason why or wherefore, but to go. A number of miners came down from Ohmemuri on Saturday night to be present at the occasion of polling—some having votes, who came in order to record them ; others having no votes, who came to be entertained by the proceedings/ and to lend the weight of their presence as citizens. The town has had quite a holiday aspect -— in fact, a dissipated appearance, seeming to have cast off its respectability, and to have got on the spree. Busses were early posted with bills printed in tremendous sized letters, appealing to the public to vote for this or that candidate; and the busses also seemed to be infected with the same spreeishness, displayed their bills in hot rivalry, and going at paces previously unthought of in connection with Thames busses. These vehicles were engaged all day taking voters to the polling booths^. A great number of persons recorded their votes early in the morning, especially those resident in Shortland. Electioneering agents and touters were busily engaged "working the oracle," and indulging generally in " ways that are dark and tricks that are rain," for which they are very peculiar. Several old acquaintances were observed to be maintaining a character, well-earned, for this sort of thing. Very little excitement was apparent, and the warlike spirit which so often characterises election times was, we are pleased to record, entirely wanting. The carriages devoted to the cause of the Mayor had, as a conspicuous addition to the bills, a cheap banner of fiery red erected above the roofs, with some disparaging reference to the opposing candidate printed thereon. One of these gaudy banners was captured by a small boy, who carried it off as a glorious trophy. The last seen of the banner, it adorned the immature Grecian bend of a little urchin of the Marchioness type. : ;

A Second Edition with the result of the Polling will be published as soon as known. •