THE BY-ELECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7154, 19 July 1901, Page 4

THE BY-ELECTION.

A QUIET CONTEST,

MR G. J; SMITH SUCCESSFUL.

IN THE EVENING.

THE RETURNS.

Towards the evening the interest in the contest increased. Some time before she returns were expected to be available, a large crowd of people assembled in front of the " Lyttelton Times " office in Gloucester Street, where, it had been announced, the\ results would be displayed, and where the candidates would address the electors. Complete-arrangements had teen made for obtaining the returns from the fourteen polling booths at the earliest possible time. Both cyclist messengers and telephones -were used, and', so much facility was displayed that the first return^ which came from, the booth, at Messrs Oaies, Lowry and Co.'s business place, was posted up as early .as 7.30 p.m. The final result, together with figures showing -tly voting at all the booths, was displayed -at 8.35 tf platform had been erected, and it supported a large board, on which the returns were set forth in tabulated form as they were received. Three 50-candle power electric lamps, with reflectors, were used. The whole place was thus 'brilliantly lighted, the figures on the board being easily discernible for some distance. -The polling booths did not close till 7 p.an;, and the" following times at which the different returns were received indicate that they came in smartly :— Oates, JLowiy and Co.'s, 7.30 p.m.; Richmond, 7.40; Knjghtstown, 7.42; Montreal Street North, 7.43; South ißelt and East Belt, each. 7.45; Foresters'. Hall, 7.50; Sydenham Missipu Hall, 8; TOtham Library, 8.7 ; Sj. 'Michael's Schoolroom/ 8. 10; Provincial Council Chambers, 8.15 ; Sfc Albacs, 8.20 ; Selwyn Street, Addington, 8.25 ; St John's School, 8.33; final result, 8.35. The following are full details of the returns from the various booths: —

THE CANDIDATES' ADDRESSES

After the crowd on the street hud contemplated the result'- for a short time, it began to clamour for the candidates to appear amd speak. Each candidate was called for in turn, and when he stepped on to the platform, and faced the crowd, there was an outburst of applause.

Mr Smith was received with cheers and by a counter demonstration. He said: — Ladies and Gentlemen,— l want to express my thanks to you to-niglrb for the great honour you have done me in again electing me as one of , 3 r our representatives.

(Cheers intermingled with grcans). I recognise at out: th: ■ we have difi'ei-encts cf opinion, out I think flint tcsre is room for them, and I wiunt to say that, as far as I am concerned, one of the pleasamtest tilings about this election has been the kindly spirit which has prevailed throughout the whole business. I have received from my fiitnds. Mr Tuyk-r ami Mr Turnbull, the greatest consideration, and I think I have extended the same to them. (Cheers.) Now that I am once more your representative, I want to assure you of this, that I htwe Iresn elected as a representative of the city, and 1 shall do my best to represent every muion cf the community — (cheeii) — and I hope that if at any time any electors of the city want to see me in connection with pcliticil matters, they will aiot hesitate .« come to me. Having been elected, 1 shall hz delighted to place my services at the disposal of all the" electors of the constituency. (Cheers.) Thank you once more for the great honour you have done me. I shall do my best in. the interests of this city, and in those, of the colony as a whole. (Renewed cheering.) Mr Taylor, who was also received with cheers, said:— Ladies and Gentlemen, — I desire to thank those who have voted in my favour to-day. And I wish to express ,my regret — not so much on my own accoiuxt, as on account of the cause I represent. (Hear, hear.) I say t-Kab the workers have not been loyal to fche cause, aad I regret it. Out of a roll number of 17,000, only some. 9ooo odd haveexercised the privilege they enjoy. (A voice: "Shame.") Yes, it is a shame, and they should foe penalised for not exercising the franchise. It is also regrettable that we have not some method by which a-ma-jority of the electors could be represented. At the present time, perhaps, if we lStd had some method of preferential voting, the result would not be as it is. I again thank the electors for having placed me in the honourable position. I occupy to-night. (Cheers.)

Mr Turnbull stepped forward to the front of the platforai, amidst renewed cheers. He said : Ladies and gentlemen, —No one- can take a beating more philosophicatfy than. I — (Cheers.) — especially a 9 I think that the causes which nay* led to my defeat, as they become better ■understood, will turn the tide in. favour of the opinions which I have expressed. (A voice: "No, no;") Mr Smith has been elected as your representative — (cheers and counter demonstrations)— and I feel sure that he will do his utmost to worthily represent this electorate. (Hear, hear, and a voice : " You got him in.") I should .Tike to say that of all the elections I have been acquainted with, there is none in which, there has been so little personal "feeling and antagonism between, the candidates. (Hear, hear.) I wish particularly to take this opportunity of thanking those electors who voted for me. (Cheers.)

The candidates then retired, and the crowd dispersed soon afterwards.

Mr l£ Murray, the Returning Officer, made the Provincial Council Chambers his headquarters, and the returns wer& taken to him there, and the results ascertained. The first complete return was received at about 7.45, and the complete total was ready about 9.15 p.m.

An. ex-member of Parliament stated last evening that he had rendered his fcaUot paper informal, having written across it without striking out any names, "Can't pick it." ; A complimentary "social" will be tendered to'MrG, J. Smith, MIH.R., by his friends and supporters to-morrow. Due notice will be. given of the place. A meeting' of tMr >C. Taylor's Election Committee was held last evening, when it was decided to form a political organisation upon similar lin«s to the Dunedin Workers' Political League, and to obtain the rules and all information regarding the working of that body. :

HOW THE NEWS WAS -RECEIVED BY

PARLL4MENT.

[Prom Oto Special Correspondent.]WELLINGTON, July 18./ The result of the Christchurch by-elec-tion was announced to the House at. hajfpast ten this evening by the Premier, though it had been unofficially disclosed shortly after nine o'clock. Mr 'Seddaa's statement was received with cheers, . Mr MVLachlan leading off. When the votes oast for Mr Turnbull were announced, Mr James Allen innocently asked, "Was he ■the Government candidate?" Mr .Seddon promptly replied, " Judging by your face it is plain he was not the Opposition cftndidate.-' Inquiries came Irom.* all parts' of the Chamber as to the Patea contest, and the Premier said that twenty-six returns to hand gave Mr Haselden (Opposition) 740, Mr Heßlop 663 and Mr Remington 422. Thirty more returns hali-yet to come' in, and they were from the back blocks, he significantly added. "They -will go for Haselden " remarked Messrs ' Piraiii and Hardy, but the Premier could .not see it in that light.

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