Old news from Armidale and New England

Tuesday 2 April 1901, The Sydney Morning Herald

Tamworth, Monday.

Great excitement has existed here since Friday night over the New England contest, and much dissatisfaction has been expressed with the way in which the election has been conducted in respect of the returns. Had the results at the various polling stations been wired to the returning officer here it is contended that the final state of the poll would have been known on Saturday morning at the latest, whereas no authentic information could be obtained as to how the contest had resulted until this afternoon, when word came that the returns were complete, and that Mr. Sawers had beaten Mr. Lonsdale by four votes. The numbers given to-day, however, were 50 below the numbers wired on Saturday. On this account uncertainty as to the real state of the poll still exists, and will continue until the returning officer here is in possession of the actual returns from the different polling centres. He hopes to get all returns in by to-morrow. Several instances of alleged informalities in the matter of voting have come to light, and if it is seen when all returns are in that Mr. Lonsdale is beaten by a few votes only, it is stated that a recount will be demanded.