6 FEBRUARY 1904, Page 3

The result of the polling in the Ayr Burghs was

declared on Saturday evening last, when Mr. Dobbie, the Liberal and Free-trade candidate, was returned by a majority of 44 over Mr. Younger, the Unionist and Balfourite. Between 1885 and 1895 the seat changed sides regularly at each contest, but at

• the last two elections (1895 and 1900) it was held for the Con- servatives, with majorities of 335 and 590, by the late Mr. • Orr-Ewing. The interesting feature about the contest was • the refusal of Mr. Younger—guided, no doubt, by what had happened in Mid-Devon—to accept what he considered the , compromising assistance of the Tariff Reform League. Whichever way we look at the election, it is impossible to dial cover any evidence of Scotland's conversion to Protection.

Bank Rate, 4 per cent.