THAMES ELECTION AND LOCAL OPTION.

Thames Star, Volume XXXX, Issue 10502, 25 November 1902, Page 2

THAMES ELECTION AND LOCAL OPTION.

Considerable interest was manifested in the election' for a member for the Thames district, a.nd the local option poll that decides' whether or not alcoholic liquors shall be sold. Three candidates have been nominated ior the seat—the Hon. J. McGowan, and Messrs W. H. Lucas and F. W. Isitt. Thjei Hajtltet's luas been nullified as the Prohibition party have issued a"manifesta asking their followers not. to vote for Mr Isitt, who was nominated to ensure a local option poll!. Thus the candidates nominated for the Thames seat are : — Hon. J. McGowan (Mines). Mr W. H. Lucas (Liberal Labor).

Mr F. W. Isitt (Prohibition). There wasl very little excitement in the morning, but all the parties were apparently working hard and cabs rolled up to the various poling booths steadily, disdh&rged their occupants, who recorded their votes as the supporters of the various candidates ticked off fb» list and continued their calculations- of the cfaandes of 'the contestant®. As the day progressed the excitement increased, arid greater activity was displayed- both on the part of the suppor.ters of candidates and those advocating license or nolicense. Tlie polling, paces in the Thames proper were 3 in number, the Courthouse, Thames, being the principal, Central Hall, Pollen street, and St. George's Schoolroom, RoTleston street. At Tamm and Parawfti there were booths, also at Waiomo;. Tapu. [ and 16 other polling places. The arrangement® made by the Returning Officer (Mr W .H. Potts) were complete, and he and. his capable staff of officials are to be complimented upon the completeness of the details. The polling places are as under: —

The Courthouse, Thames (principal) W. H. Potts, (Returning -Officer) in charge, C. D. Wright, E. W. Lowe, F. McCullough, F. C. Dean, W. S. Styak. The Central Ha,:l, Pollen street, -C. Brawn, G. Buckland, Ernest Miller, K. Killgour. St. George's Schoolroom , Italllestoai street,—S. Whitehouse and W. A. Carter. Tlie Sthoolhouse, Tararu.—John Paul grain and W. H. Newton. Tlie Sohoolhouse, Parawai.—H. Kennedy and W. J." May. Trotter's Store, Waiomo.— H. Gillespie and E. Eairnshaw. Tlie School' Louse. Tapu.—L.- W. Par-

The Schoolhouse, Wilson's Bay.—P. Mom© and E. T. Potts. The SchooThouse, Coromande-I.—R. Lloyd and J. K. Potts in charge. The Sohoolhouse , Driving Creek. Coromandel . The Institute, Tokatea. Kerr's Shed, Port Charles Goudies' Hall, Cabbage Bay. The Schoolhouse, Kennedy's Bay. Smyth's Cookhouse, Omoho. Bailey's Office, Matamataharakeke. The Schoolhouse, Whangapoua. The Battery Store, Tererenga, Loram's Hall, Opitonui. Ritchie's Hall. Kuaoihinu. The Courthouse, Mercury Bay. Smyth's Store, Whenukite. • The Schoolhouse, Gumtown.

All the local cabs had been, engaged and while the colors, red and blue, oi Mr McG iowan'"B! sulpporter^ twew prominent, all parties worked steadily aiid well. The ladies of course took considerable interest in the election and poll, parti-oulaiy ia the latter, and it must be admitted that they worked assiduously. The polling in the morning was not heavy, but it increased considerably between 12 and 2, and from that up to the hour of going to- press the officers were kept hard at work. .-..-■ THE RESULTS. We will exhibit the returns at this office as they come to hand, also the results of the other elections in the various parts of the colony upon, receipt, AT COURT'S. By th© kindness' of Mr Court and for the convenience of the residents of middle and lower Pollen, street, we will exhibit on a black board the reis'U!lt9" as they arrive.

(Per Press Association.)

GISBOItNE., November 25. The interest to-day centres entirely in. the local option vote. The Prohibitionists are sanguine, they will carry no license. The polling wil probably be very close. /

NAPIER, November 25. More interest is being shown, over thp election than usual. The Prohibition party a .re confident of carryiDe reduction and are. sanguine about carrying no license. :