THE LATE ELECTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 264, 13 September 1879, Page 2

THE LATE ELECTION.

To the Editor of the Waiisaiiafa Daily

Silt,—lt is a pity the returning officer did not supply the local newspapers in the Wairarapa with correct returns of the votes polled at the various booths during the late contest for this constituency. I fini siitisikd the return published in your issue of Septeinhsr the 6th misled a large number of people here and elsewhere, in respect of (he position of the candidates. I allude specially to the Feathorston return, which gives the following as the result of the polling there : Beetham, 129 :" Bunny, 128; Pharazyn, 45, The correct return, I believe is:—Beetham, 129; Funny, 128; Pharazyn ; 101, . The impression created in the minds of most people on reading the original return, was simply this, " there is a candidate beaten threa to one, that does not say much for him in his own locality,"' My object in writing this letter is to give publicity through the medium of your columns, to the fact that excluding Wellington voters mora voles vxre})olled in Feuthru!on for Mr Phanqin then for Mr lhhmj. Tiie number of gentlemen who came up to Feathorston to record their votes has been variously estimated at from 120 to 150. An examination of the roll will, however, I believe, show that about 103 have votes. Of these Mr Pharazyn was certain of 35, leaving G8 for his opponent. The result of the Featherston local polling (presuming the above to be correct), is thua easily shown : For Bunny. For Pharazyn' Total polled in Peatherston 128 101 Deduct town votes recorded there ~. G8 35 Leaving Peatherston local votes 60' 66 It is a matter of regret in my opinion that the "apology to Mr Pharazyn," in your issue of (I believe) the Bth inst., did not clearly show this, as from the return published, an impression has gone forth which is calculated seriously to injure Mr Pharazyn in the future, and wlr'ch is, moreover, completely at variance with facts. The above statement goes a long way to prove that whatever may be the social feelings there Mr Pharazyn's well known capabilities as a gentleman qualified to represent us in the Parliament of New Zealand are as much appreciated in Featherston as results have proved they are elsewhere in the valley. Mr Bunny may congratulate himself on being returned, not by the intelligent votes in the constituency which were clearly against him, but by a majority made up of unintelligent (I use the word strictly in reference to "voting")foreigners and non resident land owners, lam, etc., F. G. Moore,

[Mr, Moore has been more fortunate ;han ounelves in obtaining the correct re;urns from the Feallierston poll. We rah he would also discover hovr it wa«

that false returns were telegraphed in all directions from Feafcherston after the poll. We would like to see all unfair practices exposed in connection with the late election. We may mention that one of the inaccurate telegrams bore the signature of the Secretary of Mr Bunny's Featherston Committee-Ba W.D.]