WELLINGTON NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5988, 25 July 1887, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES.

[By Tsuas^BAPH.] Election Matters. [from ottb own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, July 24. We are now in the thick of the election satnpaign, and candidates are addressing the electors in one or two of the city and suburban districts every night. There ore, so far, eight candidates out for the oity seats, and two for the Hutt electorate, but others will probably be announced before nomination day. The whole of the candidates plump for retrenchment, and are more or less strong in their advocacy of reduction in the education vote. Freetrade and Protection are questions skimmed over as lightly as possible, but the bulk of the candidates favour encouragement of local industries through the Tariff. The only seat for which there is no opposition is that of Oity East, for which Mr George Fisher is standing. He. is almost certain to be returned unopposed, and i$ opposed it will take a strong man to beit him. Judging from present apY>aarancefl, the Government are not likely to gain more than one city seat (Te Aro). The Hutt seat is a certainty for Mr H. S. Fitzherberfc, tfa late member, whose only opponent is Mr Thomas Mason, at one time the representative, of the district. Mr Mason, in answering questions at a meetana last week, had to admit that he had ne^er heard of Mr Ballance's Native Land Administration Bill, and consequently could not say whether he was in favour of it or otherwise, but he had a strong objection to the, Government's Native policy. !Mr Fitzherbert professes to be an " Independent," but he may safely be reokoned among the supporters of the Government. The Thorndon seat will fall to Dr Newman, who has always been hostile to the Cfovernmenji. Mr W. M'Lean, an old West CXHUter, to opposing him in the interests of the Government, but he has very little chance, and if be got in, could not be relied onto support any party. For South Wellington, the Government candidate is a Mr John Coombe, a builder, who has no speoial qualifications for any publio office. His opponents are Mr Izard, who atone time represented Fofcton, and a Mr Alexander Wilson, whose candidature is looked upon as a joke. Mr Izard'B chance is strengthened by the presence of a third candidate in the field. Sir Eobert Stout, Sir George Grey, and Major Atkinson will shortly address Wellington audiencesj and there is some talk of requisitioning Sir J. Yogel to do likewise.