SOME NORTH ISLAND SEATS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5740, 7 December 1896, Page 4

SOME NORTH ISLAND SEATS.

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Dec. 6. As to the excitement of the election it is needless to report. As to the dulness of the day after there is nothing to be said. That the two rival newspapers anticipated victory on Friday you may be sure. On Saturday their tone was modest and manly. The morning paper made much of the Liberal victories, especially in Wellington City ; the evening paper admitted them, . and declared it might have been worse, : and neither said a hard word against anyone of the other side, or of any-' thing done by them. The state of , affairs is as follows : — From Taranaki by Wellington to Waiapu there are twenty . seats. Of these eight remain as they were, ' viz., Patea, Palmerston, Masterton, Wairarapa, one Wellington, Hawera (formerly called Egmont), Hawke's Bay, Waiapu. The Liberal gains are seven, viz., Manawatu, Egmont, Pahiatua (the three new seats), Otaki, Wellington Suburbs, and two Wellington seats. The Opposition gains are five — Taranaki, Wanganui, Napier, Waipawa and Rangitikei. The losses in Napier and Waipawa were reckoned by the Liberal side because neither Mr Camell nor Mr Hall carried guns heavy enough for their opponents. Mr Hunter, who replaces Mr Hall, is well liked in his district as an employer, and he enjoys a wider consideration as a good sport. Mr Douglas M'Lean, who beat Mr Carnell, is the son of the late Sir Donald M'Lean, the great Native Minister. He is well liked as an employer, and that helped the weakness of his opponent to make the electors forget his denouncement of popular measures. The Liberals, however, ' expected to sweep the west coast. The los 3 of Wanganui and Taranaki was unexpected, and is, therefore, greatly deplored. Prohibition in Wanganui is evidently gaining ground Apropos of Mr E. M. Smith's defeat, he sent a telegram to the Premier, which is being much quoted among the party. The Premier telegraphed condolence. Mr Smith replied congratulating the party on its success all along the line, declaring his willingness to serve the party again, and stating his prior conviction that when the opportunity comes in three years' time he will find Mr Seddon still at the head of affairs. The Opposition people are barking much in the same note. They talk of "nine years of Seddonism already," and they admit that it may be more. A canard is beginning to fly to the effect that the party intend to have another crack at Wairarapa by reason of the alleged informality in the matter of Mr Coleman Phillips's nomination. I know that nobody will move if Mr Phillips does not.