THE GISBORNE ELECTORATE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2351, 18 November 1908, Page 5

THE GISBORNE ELECTORATE.

TREMENDOUS MAJORITY FOR MR CARROLL.

LICENSES TO BE RETAINED.

POLLING DAY.

It is seldom that sucli an a mount* of public enthusiasm lias been arous-i ed in Gisborne as was the case year-j terday on tlio occasion of the tri-l ennial general, elections. For weeks) past politics have been a favorite topic, and the merits and demerits of tho candidates offering their services liavo been freely discussed. Side by side with this has been the vexed question of whether licenses to sell intoxicating liquors in hotel bar 4 should be allowed during tlio next three years, and so intense was the feeling oh this issue that it well , nigh overshadowed that of general representation. The political campaign has been carried’ out strenuously by all the candidates, but with even more vigor was the No-license fight prosecuted. Tho results of this were noticeable in the great interest. displayed yesterday by tlio electors, and the probable results were eagerly discussed. Erom the hour of opening, the polling booths became busy, and continued so all day.

At 9 a.m. there was a large crowd at His Majesty’s Theatre ready to record their votes, .but the busiest time was during the afternoon, and beweeu 5 and 0 p.m. Gabs, buggies, .motor cars, and variofis nondescript vehicles were travelling (hastily around all day conveying electors to the booths, and tlio committees of the different candidates and parties were untiring in their attention.

The polling booths finally closed at 6 pxn., 'and crowds.then commenced to assemble in front of the two /newspaper offices, where the results were posted up on large hoardings specially ejected for the purpose. Tlie first returns to appear were those of the Gisborne and 'Bay of Plenty electorates, land it was some considerable time before news began to dribble in from other parts Cf the Dominion. As the .numbers from each of the local polling booths were displayed the many supporters of each candidate showed their interest by cheering when ia return was to their liking.

A stroll through the crowd was interesting. Every shade of politics was represented. Here was the Liberal, rejoicing over the return to power of the Ward Government. There an Oppositionist was observed as, with beaming countenance, he read of seats gained l , and -noted, not unexpectedly, the defeat of the Min l ister of Lands (Hon. It. McNab). Then, too, there wore the Independents, as well as others whose political creeds could not be clearly defined. Tho “I told you so” man was much in- evidence, and the predominance of ladies, who'throughout tho whole election have shown the keenest interest, was *a noticeablo feature. Many were the arguments mid discussions during the evening, but these were, from time to time, all amicably settled when the final roil ts became known.

As the evening w'ore on the people began to slowly disperse, but there were still, in tho early morning hours, a ’few enthusiasts, eagerly scanning the boards, evidently relucltlt to leave until they had ascertained such final results as were obtainable. ’ , The police force, under SorgeantHaitton, did excellent' service throughout the day and night, land until early morning paraded the. streets. The crowd was exceptionally large, but notwithstanding (this, was most orderly and quiet. Sergeant Hutton, who wias most untiring -in his efforts towards the preservation of peace and order, states that although there were one or "two minor disputes, naturally to-be ex-, pected when feeling was so keen, .he did not see a blow struck, nor W is it necessary to make a single arrest for drunkenness. Altogether, he was agreeably - at the orderly conduct of the crowd, as prior to coming hero 'lie had heeu led

to believe that such a state of affairs did uot always hxist in this, district. The crowd commenced to thin out shortly a'fter midnight, .and from that hour -onward there was a constant stream of persons making their way home, until, at 1.30 a.m., the thoroughfares were deserted, although there 'were still one or two individuals, to be observed, anxiously awaiting a few belated returns.

THE POLLING.

The following are tho complete returns of the polling in the Gisborne Electorate:— Polling Booth \ Ca rr oil. 01 ay to n. D art on.

Majority for .Hon. Jas. Oarroll: 1401. As Mr. Carroll has polled 38 votes less than a majority of. the total votes polled, 6912, a second ballot will take place.

H.M. Theatre 538 192 34S Masonic Hall ... 415 115 261 ■AVhinray’s Hall 360 134 304 Kaiti School 119 53 44 Garrison Hall ... 348 143 304 IMangapapa Te Hapara 104 50 93 119 88 60 Matawhcro 123 45 62 Patutahi 78 68 87 AVaerenga-a-hika 102 47 - 64 Makauri 57 21 44 Tahora ... 26 19 6 Tahunga 16 6 1 AVaerenga-o-kuri 25 13 11 Te Arolfa 10 5 4 AVairoa. 229 70 69 Lower Hangaroa 17 8 2 Tiniroto 33 27 12 Hangaroa 26 8 3 Marumaru 15 21 7 Pra&ertown 49 72 25 Te Arai 103 19 43 AVahigako 26 18 8 Maraetalia 32 21 10 AVharerata 11 10 3 Tarewa 17 24 12 Morero 38 29 11 Moha'ka 36 18 11 Opoutama 16 13 14 AVairoa (Clyde)... 92 34 63 A\ 7 airoa 311 104 132 Kokalco 4 5 0 AVahanui 4 17 6 Nuliaka 51 13 14 AVaikaro ... 35 14 2 Tangoio 44 5 2 Pohui 28 0 1 Tarawcra 16 0 0 Oliuka 12 18 3 Iluakituri 28 4 10 6 Mangaono 12 3 Tuliara ••• 6 5 1 Opoiti ••• 11 Hangaroa Farmers’ 0 4 Shed . 7 4 4 Manutuko 26 18 8 Total 3437 1439 2036