ELECTION DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6661, 6 December 1899, Page 3

ELECTION DAY.

« . It was evident from an early hour today that for the time being business was a secondary consideration, and that almost everyone's mind was concentrated oh the general election and the all-absorbing question, "Who's going to get in?" As soon as the polling-booths opened, the cabs, traps, and other vehicles employed by the various parties commenced their rounds, bringing voters to the poll. A visit to the various polling booths this morning showed that though very keen interest was being taken in the proceedings, there was an absence of anything approaching excitement. The local option poll naturally claimed a great deal of attention, and the supporters of no-license and : the anti-prohibitionists wei - e prominent at every booth, in the city. Apart from other inducements to electors to '"strike out the top line " the no-license party had at most places a number of little children bearing banners with appeals to the people to remember them when voting. The opponents of prohibition were Avell supplied with election literature, and considering the variety of- instructions - how •to :° vote it is hatdly ' surprising if voters become rather bewildered at times. The Provincial Council Chambers, being the principal polling-place, was patronised by a steady stream of voters, but in comparison to its size, during the morning, perhaps the busiest booth was that at Montreal Street north. At the Opera House, the Sydenham Mission Hall, the East Christchurch School, the St Albans Borough Council Chambers and the St John's Schoolroom the voting was fairly brisk, but at the other booths the retui-ning-officers and their assf^tants had a comparatively easy task during the morning. A number of the Permanent Artillery were brought up from Lyttelton to assist the police irt regulating' the admission of voters to the booth, and, with the addition of this staff, Inspector Broham was enabled to have some of his men at every booth in the city and suburbs. During the afternoon it was anticipated that the voting i would be very heavy, as the majority of business establishments in the city closed at midday. In the Avon district the supporters of both Messrs Tanner and Rhodes were working energetically, and the polling at the Linwood Borough Council Chambers, the principal booth, was heavier than usual during the morning, but at Papanui and Perry Road matters wei'6 rather quiet. In this district the no-license party and their opponents were also in evidence. At Riccarton there was also an absence of excitement, though at the principal booths the returning officers were kept fairly busy. In connection with the display of the election returns by the " Lyttelton Times " Co. at Lyttelton, the Marine Band, under Bandmaster Collins, will play a programme of music in Oxford Street during this evening*. At the centres in the lower part of the Ashley electorate keen interest was being manifested in the polling, particularly at Amberley, the chief polling place. At the eleventh hour the Temperance Party made a move to obtain a reduction of licenses, and they were polling with a zeal that was expected to win success. The streets in front of the Kaiapoi and Rangiora palling booths presented an animated scene to-day. The partizans of Messrs Buddo and Moore and the pro-liquor and anti-liquor parties were working with great zeal, and the electors were so well educated with object lessons on " haw to vote " that the polling was carried on smcobhly and expeditiously. From the hour of opening the poll there was a constant stream of voters passing in and out of the booths, and it was evident that a deep interest was being taken ou the issues of both, polls. At' Soutkbrook, Woodend, Oxford, Cust and other centres the polling was going on steadily, and each- side, both for members and in thejicensing poll, confidently expect a win, . which leads to the supposition that the results will be close. [Prom Oxjr Correspondent.! DUNEDIN, Dec. 6. It is hardly possible to get two opinions alike as to the result of the city election, bufc it is considered that the former members have the best chance. Mr Arnold, Mr Barclay and Air Ohapman may finish in the order named, and Mr Morrison may win at Caversham; but it will be a keen contest. I fancy Mr Carncross for the Taieri, and think that the sitting members at Mataura and Invercargill will not be unseated for same. The various committee rooms are thronged, and vehicles are very busy. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Dec. 6. The weather is fine for .the elections, and the polling will be generally heavy. PALMERSTON NORTH, Dec. 6. The weather is beautiful for the elections, and the polling promises to be very heavy. WELLINGTON, Dec. 6. The weather is fine for the elections. The proceedings up to noon were extremely listless, and the same want of intei'est was apparent which has prevailed throughout the campaign. The Opposition profess great confidence in their ability to return all three of their candidates, while the Government supporters have hopes of getting two in. Messrs 'Mac Donald, Luke and Jellicoe are expected to poll the heaviest on the Liberal side. DUNEDIN, Dec. 6. The weather is beautifully fine for the elections, and the poll promises to be heavy. Both sides are confident of securing two of the city seats, the Government Party claiming that it will return Mr Millar and MiArnold, while the Opposition is equally sanguine of the return of Mr Mackenzie and Mr Sligo. INVERCARGHA Dec. 6. The weather is fine, and the polling is likely to be the heaviest on record. Both candidates addressed very large audiences last night. Mr M'Gregor, a former member of the Legislative Council, speaking afc Mr Kelly's, and the Hon J. G. Ward at Mr Hanan's. Great enthusiasm was displayed at both meetings, and votes of confidence were carried. The contest is likely to be extremely close.