The Ashley Seat.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5988, 25 July 1887, Page 3

The Ashley Seat.

Our Cust correspondent writes :— Various rumours have been current as to who was likely to contest the Ashley seat against Mr Pearson. All doubt, however, has now been set at rest by Mr E. L. Higgins declaring himself as a candidate. Being a local man, with some practical experience in politics,. Mr Higgins will no doubt meet with a considerable amount of support. He will stand in the Government interest, being of opinion that justice will be secured for Canterbury should the Stout- Vogel Government continue in office.

A fair amount of interest is now being taken here in matters political. It is currently reported that a meeting will be held at Cust, on an early date, to form a branch o£ the Electoral Association. Should the meeting be held, it is to be hoped that the promoters will be able to submit something definite as to the objects of the Association, taking a lesson from the decided failure of the Political Reform Association meeting, which came to an abrupt conclusion. As an opportunity of indulging in a little chaff of a good-humoured nature, the late meeting was eagerly taken advantage of by our local orators, much to the amusement of an interested audience.

[Per Press Association.]

DUNEDIN, Jcly 25. Mr- Jamea Macandrew will probably oppose Mr Larnach. Mr Carncrosa favours the Ministry. He declares for Protection, Bible reading in schools, Government and loans to farmers. He would prefer to see a Stout Government without Sir J. Yogel. He received a unanimous vote of confidence.

* ' Mr K. L. Stanford contests Taieri. Mr Thomas Begg will probably contest the Peninsula.