August 31, 1867

NEW BRUNSWICK FISHERIES TO BE STUDIED

Hon. Peter Mitchell (Marine and Fisheries, Premier of New Brunswick) has appointed commissioners to report on the state of New Brunswick’s fisheries. William Henry Venning, Peter Miller, and Mr. Stevens have been given the authority to investigate and report on the state of the various rivers and fisheries connected to the Bay of Fundy, the headwaters of the Miramichi, the North Shore harbour, and Grand Manan.

HOUSE WON’T SIT UNTIL DECEMBER?

Rumours in Ottawa are that the first meeting of the first Parliament of Canada will not meet until December. Such a delay in calling together the Dominion’s representatives would be of great concern, the people being unrepresented in public affairs since the Union occurred on July 1.

Much in the decision-making as to when to summon the Parliament will hinge on the results of the polling currently underway. As the Globe rightly points out, with so many members being elected by acclamation, the Commons could prove a difficult body to manage for whoever is called upon to serve as prime minister by Lord Monck. Those acclaimed have promised little more than to give a fair hearing to the Government, and those vying to form the government have given little indication of what, if any plans, they have for the Dominion.

CALLS FOR ELECTORAL REFORM INTENSIFY

Following the defeat of Liberal leader George Brown in South Ontario, there are renewed calls for electoral reform in the Dominion such that voting be limited to a single day rather than the present two days spread over a series of several weeks.

The calls come following allegations that Thomas Gibbs’ victory over Brown was bought and paid for by the distribution of bribes across the riding after the announcement of Brown’s slight eleven-vote lead over Gibbs after the first day of polling.

The proposed reform could not eliminate all bribery in elections but would serve to reduce their effectiveness by not allowing one party or another to game their use by focussing on ridings where partial results are known. Instead, bribes would have to be distributed prior to the beginning of voting and thus might be wasted in ridings where an outcome is not, in fact, in doubt.

TORONTO ELECTION REPORT

The Provincial Secretary and Registrar, Hon. Matthew Crooks Cameron (Conservative) trails his opponent, Liberal James Stock by four votes at the close of voting yesterday in the East Toronto constituency. Mr. Cameron trailed Mr. Stock all day and it was only in the final hour of voting that he reduced Stock’s lead to single digits.

In the race for the Commons seat in that constituency, Dr. William Aikens (Liberal) holds a 67-vote lead over Conservative James Beaty who has faced vocal opposition from supporters of his own party in recent days.

In West Toronto, the Tory candidates Harrison and Wallis hold healthy leads over their Liberal opponents.

DAILY ELECTION REPORT

Polling occurring on August 30, 1867

Elections Completed

East Durham

House of Commons

• Mr. Beamish 451
• Francis Burton (Conservative) 1134 ELECTED

Ontario Legislature

• S. Smith (Liberal) — Withdrew
• Arthur Williams (Conservative) — Elected

Partial Election Results

Prescott

House of Commons

• Albert Hagar (Liberal) -- Elected by acclamation
• Mr. Higginson — Withdrew

Ontario Legislature

Thomas D’Arcy McGee has majority of 20.

South Leeds

No results reported

West York

House of Commons

• Hon. W. P. Howland (Inland Revenue) (Liberal-Conservative) 430 DECLARED
• H. S. Hubertus (Liberal) 111

Ontario Legislature

• Thomas Graham (Conservative) 261
• Dr. Edward Bull (Liberal) 230
• W. Tyrell (Independent) 106

South Wentworth

House of Commons

• Joseph Rymal (Liberal) 657
• Thomas Robertson 595

Ontario Legislature

• William Sexton (Liberal) 651
• Thomas White (Conservative) 602

East Northumberland

House of Commons

• Joseph Keeler (Liberal-Conservative) 772 DECLARED
• Kenneth McKenzie 400

Ontario Legislature

• John Eyre (Liberal) 489
• G. Burrell (Conservative) 284

Welland

Ontario Legislature

• William Beatty (Liberal) 630
• J. Pew (Conservative) 540

Frontenac

House of Commons

• Thomas Kirkpatrick (Conservative) 703
• Carruthers 550

Ontario Legislature

• Henry Smith (Conservative) 658
• John Fraser (Liberal) 561

DAILY NOMINATION REPORT

Nominations occurring on August 30, 1867

East York

House of Commons

• James Metcalfe (Liberal)
• Mr. Milne

Ontario Legislature

• J. Bowman (Conservative)
• Hugh Crosby (Liberal)

South Huron

House of Commons

• D. H. Ritchie (Liberal)
• Malcolm C. Cameron
• D. L. Sills

Ontario Legislature

• Isaac Carling (Conservative)
• Robert Gibbons (Liberal)
• C. Crabb — Withdrew
• A. Johnson — Withdrew

South Simcoe

House of Commons

• W. C. Little (Conservative)
• Thomas Saunders (Liberal)

Ontario Legislature

• Thomas R. Ferguson (Conservative) -- Elected by acclamation

South Wellington

House of Commons

• David Stirton (Liberal)
• F. W. Stone

Ontario Legislature

• Peter Gow (Mayor of Guelph) (Liberal)
• William Leslie (Warden of Wellington County) (Conservative)

South Bruce

House of Commons

• Mr. Hall
• Francis Hurdon (Conservative)
• Mr. Rastall

Ontario Legislature

• Edward Blake (Liberal)
• T. Broclebank (Conservative

Refer to the election calendar for the nominations and votes occurring today.