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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3126, 24 February 1879, Page 2

The forthcoming election for Auckland City West, to fill the vacancy caused by the elevation of Mr Patrick Dignan to the Upper House, promises to J>e a lively affair. There are two candidates, both of them professed supporters of the present Ministry ; and the contest, it is probable, will turn upon the education question. Mr Peter Dignan, son of the late member, is understood to be in favor of aid to denominational schools, while the other candidate, Mr D. Goldie, will go in to maintain the present secular system. The nomination of candidates is to take place on Saturday, Ist March, and the election, if any, on Tuesday, 4th March. Both parties have the support of influential committees, and, according to the Herald, there are already recriminating charges being ez-, changed regarding "rigging" the roll.

The election will probably be a very good test of the strength of parties on the question of secularism versus denominationalism ; and City West might be said to be the stronghold of the latter party. As in Nelson lately, the result may rather surprise some of those who are endeavoring to upset the present national system of education.