Latest Election News.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5049, 9 July 1884, Page 3

Latest Election News.

A meeting of the St Albans and Stanmore Political Association was held last night in St Matthew's schoolroom, Knightstown, when a large number of members attended. After electing several new members, the meeting proceeded to read the replies received from four out of the six candidates to the Association's questions. This was a tedious task, as some were needlessly lengthy. At the close a very animated discussion ensued on the merits of the various answers. As it was at this time nearly 11 o'clock, it was decided to proceed to ballot, and the result showed — Andrews, 16 ; Ruddenklau, 7. Strange to say, not one of the other four candidates received even as much as one vote. There is every likelihood that the Association will put forward a candidate to contest the St Albans seat as against Messrs Garrick and Jebson. A meeting of Mr S. P. Andrews' Knightstown Committee is convened for 8 o'clock this evening, in premises opposite the Reading room. Mr Garrick will address a meeting in St Mary's schoolroom, Addington, at 7.30 on Friday evening. Attention is called to the alterations in Mr D. Reese's programme for this week. Mr S. R. Webb will address the Lyttelton electors at 8 o'clock to-morrow evening, in the Colonists' hall. j It is stated thatMr Joseph Jebson intends to retire from the contest for St Albans, and that Mr S. Brooker is coming out in his stead. The adjourned meeting of Mr Yaughan's Committee to receive his decision re contesting the Cheviot constituency was held last night. Mr Vaughan stated that he must decline the honour, owing to his business engagements. These would not allow him to devote the whole of his time to his Parliamentary duties if elected.. His decision was received with regret, as other lists coming in showed an increase of 145, making in all 275 names on the requisition. By virtue of a writ, dated June 27, the office of the Borough Council of St Albans (principal), and the National Mortgage and Agency Company's store, Addington, have been appointed the polling places for the electoral district of St Albans. What is the little game of the Government, we wonder, in connection, with Hansard ? Number 3 we have had for some time ; but where is number 4 ? That number, we know, will contain some very lively matter as against the Government, and also the utterances of Ministers in self l defence. Probably the task of elaborating their speeches is one which requires much brain-cudgelling.

AUCKLAND, July 9. Mr Swanson has been requested, by 300 electors, to stand for City West. Both the Waipa candidates, Messrs Jackson and Lake, are on the Atkins ->n ticket. At the nomination of candidates for the Western Maori District, at Te Awamutu, on Tuesday last, no allusion was made to the Native Land Bill. Tapiri, of Thameß, telegraphed to Te Whifci, asking him to stand, and promising him the support of the Hauraki tribes. Te Whiti did not reply. Mr Hamlin received a unanimous vote of confidence at Waiuku, and Mr Hobbs was similarly successful at Hokianga.

NELSON, July 9. Mr Piper addressed the City electors last night. He received a patient hearing, and was accorded a vote of confidence. He declared himself a supporter of Major Atkinson. Mr Kerr has addressed the electors of Takaka and Collingwood, and received votes of confidence.

THE HON T. DICK. DUNEDIN, July 9. The Hon T. Dick, speaking at Northeast Valley last night, said that, speaking as a private member, the present management was not calculated to render the railways a commercial success. Therefore, he would be agreeable to trying the experiment of anon-political Railway Board. In the new Parliament no party would be strong enough to command confidence, and there must be a coalition. He was not altogether satisfied with his own party, because in some matters he did not agree with them ; and quite possibly he might not find himself prepared to follow the lead he had done in the past. He hoped that party warfare, simply for the sake of getting on the Treasury benches, would be done away with.