CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3256, 13 September 1878, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

In connection with the City Council elec- I tion yesterday an unusual amount of excitement was manifested, and throughout the entire day the scene in front of the Council offices was an animated one. The various candidates manifested an eager desire to bo on good terms with as many people as posBible, and the numerous vehicles which had been chartered for the occasion were not permitted many moments of idleness. It was Apparent at a glance that Mr Win, Wilson had secured a monopoly of the wheeled interest, no fewer than 13 vehicles of various descriptions being placed nt the services of his admirers or sympathisers. One rival conveyance, which was driven during the day at a dismal pace, did not secure a single passenger— a result scarcely to be wondered at, seeing its placard invited burgesses to vote for •' The Do'il, their first scare." This appeared to be the only attempt at an electioneering squib. From a careful check which was kept- by outsiders, ifc was tolerably well known what numbers of people went in to vote during each hour. Commencing with 76 during the first hour, the numbers increased to 120 and 130 during the next periods. From twelve to one, there were 144 voters, from one to two 101, and by fire o'clock nearly 750 persons had been duly checked. Up to the last moment, however, voters came up, and even then there was no abatement of the excitement. It had been anticipated that some announcement would have been made as to the probable time at which the result of the poll would be declared, bub this was not done. By eight o'clock a largo crowd had assembled, and the ensuing scenes almost beggar description. Afany respectable men were there, birt they were immensely outnumbered by roughs and larrikins. His Worship the Mayor happening to come up, the crowd fancied that the poll wa3 about to be declared, and rushed into the enclosure. But this little episode was insignificant, compared with the furore created by the appearance of Mr 'William Wilson. There were cheers, groans, hisses, and yells, delightfully mingled, and above all the dreadful din was to be heard the word "cabbage." The hero of the moment undertook — as he confidentially told another candidate — to make the crowd good-humoured, and keep them co. " A word or two from me," he said, "will suffice." And the gentleman characteristically commenced by claiming that he was the finest cabbage in Canterbury. A bag of _ flour that just then broke beautifully over him, made him appear rather like a gigantic cauliflower. Some of his friends carefully dusted him down, but their assiduity was utterly useless, for the air was soon thick with flour, and the reporters and others who were unfortunate enough to be at the time near Mr Wilson, had a most unenviable position. At this stage matters had an ugly look. The groaning and yelling was started with renewed vigour, and frequent rushes were made. By the kindly aid of a few gentlemen who were blessed with strong arms, the reporters were enabled to escape, and goon after nine o'clock the Babel of sounds told that the Keturning Officer had made his appearance. As was subsequently gathered, he announced the result of the polling to be as follows, declaring the three first mentioned candidates to be duly elected :— James Gapes 1292 William Wilson 932 Aaron Ayers 667 James A. Bird 645 Charles E. Briggs ... ... 492 Enoch H. Banks 388 Henry Toomer 291 William Tremayne 233 The closing scene was an utter disgrace to this City, and by all right-minded persons it must be deeply regretted that the arrangements in connection with municipal elections should admit of the possibility of such a display. It was with difficulty that the returning officer was enabled to state results, and even then he could not possibly have been heard save by those within two or three yards of him. He wisely effected a speedy retreat. Mr Gapes was then called, or rather yelled for, and after a little struggling that gentleman managed to mount the railings by the verandah. Holding to the corner-post by one arm, he raised his hat and the moment he did so a bag of flour struck him full in the face. He dropped down, half -blinded, but in a few moments the pluckiy old man was again in position, and perhaps the evident pain he was suffering, and the sight of his grey hair combined, saved him from further insult. He was understood to say that he hoped his audience would excuse the few moments' delay, his eyes having been filled with flour. He was very thankfid indeed for the position which had been accorded him ou«the poll. Here something followed about throwing flour, &c, which Mr Gapes said, was perhaps to be excused on occasions of this kind. It would not be becoming on his part to detain them at that late hour, even if he had intended touching upon any of the more important topics. Again thanking the burgesses, Mr Gapes withdrew. Mr VVm, Wilson's head and shoulders then appeared above the crowd, and just as he had uttered the words " from the bottom of mj heart and soul," he was caught up by a number of men who, with a rush, crashed through the palings, and bore their prize across the road, to be deposited within the haven of the Clarendon Hotel, where, doubtless, brimming glasses afforded some degree of solace. A few minutes more, and the crowd had dispersed.