Hull has returned a Conservative by a very small majority,
—279. Colonel Pease received 6,873 votes, against 6,594 given for Mr. Reed. Colonel Pease polled within one vote of Mr. Clay's poll in 1868, but Mr. Norwood obtained 400 odd more votes in 1868 than either of the candidates of this election. As there are 19,000 registered electors, the poll of 13,000 odd is not a very large one, but in Hull there are always probably a great many sailor absentees. Considering that Mr. Reed talked in a very uncertain way at one time of his allegiance -to Mr. Gladstone, assuming airs of independence which Liberals quite expected him to carry into practice, and that Colonel Peue was an exceedingly popular Conservative candidate, the poll was a very good one. With a hearty Liberal for candidate, and an undivided party, the seat would evidently be safe.
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