HOKITIKA.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 370, 7 October 1868, Page 2

HOKITIKA.

The polling for the election of three citizens to fill the seats in the Borough Council, vacant by the retirement of Messrs Shaw, Eecfesfield, and Higgin, took place on Friday, and the following rough state of the pol, is published in Saturday's West Coast Times: — Macfarlane, Duncan... ... 475 White, John 417 Cosgrave, J. 378 Clarke, J. B. 325 Jack, M. "W. 253 Mee, A. 232 Ecclesfield, R. 216 Cross, J. ... .91 Tait. J. 62 Breeze, J. J. ... ... 7

" Durin the election," writes the paper above referred to, " warm and cordial were the shakings of hand, and most persuasive were the tones in which the citizens were addressed, and it was evident to a casual observer, that the work of the day had commenced in real earnest. Some of the candidates did not resort to personal canvass, but in lieu thereof cards were freely handed about, giving reasons why a particular candidate should be supported, Here are two or three specimens of this mode of solicitation :

—" If you want to benefit the town and develope the country, vote for D. Macfarlane, and secure a water supply, the only tangible scheme for the ultimate reduction of the rales." " Vote for Eobert Ecclesfield, the old councillor. He is an advocate for an open port, efficient drainage, a water supply, and judicious economy." Mr Breeze, the candidate who was lowest on the poll, adopted a somewhat novel mode of advancing his pretensions to public favour. A troop of juveniles paraded in front of the Council Chambers, each bearing large illuminated placards, which proclaimed in glowing colours, the many excellencies of the* candidate. As time wore on, the crowd kept on increasing, and the Council Chamber was crowded with voters. Speculation, too, was rife as to whom the palm of victory would be accorded, and bets for small sums or for hats were freely offered and taken. At half-past three o'clock, the excitement became more intinsified, and when two lady voters presented themselves at the polling-booth to avail themselves of those rights and privileges which the law has conferred upon them, they were greeted with loud and prolonged cheering. At length four o'clock arrived, and the doors of the Council Chambers were closed, but the room itself was full of citizens, the recording of whose votes was not completed until nearly five o'clock. A large crowd had assembled in front of the building, and despite the rain which fell heavily, they kept watch and ward with most exemplary patience, anxiously awaiting to know on whom the choice of the electors had fallen. There was plenty of joking and good humoured badinage exchanged, but nothing approaching to unkindness or ill-feeling prevailed to mar the proceedings of what has been the most exciting contest known in Hokitika The difficulty experienced at this election aid not consist in inducing good men to come forward, but in selecting the three from so. large a number of good, true, and faithful citizens, but this has been done, and the electors are to be congratulated upon the excellence of their choice.