THE ELECTION IN AUCKLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5737, 3 December 1896, Page 2

THE ELECTION IN AUCKLAND.

♦ CANDIDATES AND THEIR PROSPECTS. A FORECAST. [From Oub Correspondent.] AUCKLAND, Dec. 2 As I predicted when speaking of the candidates some time ago, the interest in the election at this end of the colony has warmed considerably as polling day approaches, although the fever heat of former elections has not been attained. In the election for the city the result is extremely difficult to forecast, owing to conflicting interests. There are ten candidates going to the poll, six of whom wear the Government colours, while three are declared Oppositionists, and one does not need to be taken into account. The main issue appears to be prohibition, and both sides have been making strenuous efforts to get their parties returned. The Hon T. Thompson Messrs W. Crowther and J. J. Holland have the support of the licensed victuallers, while Messrs George Fowlds, A. Rosser and C. E. Button are on the prohibition ticket. The labour vote is split between Mr J. Fawcus and Mr A. Rosser. It will be seen that with such contrary interests the knot is a difficult one to unravel. The men that will poll well are these : — Hon T. Thompson (Minister of Justice), Mr W. Crowther (0), Mr J. J. Holland (Government), Mr Arthur Rosser (Labour), Mr C. E. Button (O), the Hon E. Mitchelson (O) and Mr Georgo Fowlds (Independent - Liberal). To make a straight - out selection I should be inclined to place the first three as follows: — Thompson 1' (pretty certain to head the poll), J. J. Holland 2, W. Crowther [3, with E. Mitchelson and C. E. Button likely to effect a surprise. For Parnell, Mr F. Lawry (G) is considered pretty safe. In Eden the fight between Mr Jackson Palmer (G) and Mr J. Bollard (0) will be close, but I think Mr Palmer will win. The Manukau seat, I think, is a pretty good thing for Sir G. M. O'Borke (G). The Waitemata fight will undoubtedly be close, but although the Liberal candidate's (Mr W. H. Jackinan's) friends are confident, I think Mr R. Monk (O) will bo found at tho head of the poll. No closer fight is expected in the Auckland province tban that for the Franklin seat, between Ma j or Harris (G) and Mr W. F. Massey (O), and it will be a surprise for most people if more than fifty votes divide them. The chances, I think, aro in»favour of the small majority being on the side of the Government candidate. Of the other electorates of the province there is little doubt' of the results. The following should all be returned by fair majorities :— Thames, Mr James M'Gowan, (G) ; Ohinemuri, Hon A. J. Cadman (Minister of Mines) ; Bay of Plenty, Mr W. Kelly (G); East Coast, Hon James Carroll (G) ; Marsden, Mr R. Thompson (G) ; Bay of Islands, Mr R. Houston (G) ,* Waikato, Mr F. W. Lang (O) ; Northern Maori Electorate, Mr Hone Heke (0).