The death of Mr. Tapling, Conservative M.P. for the South
or Harborough Division of Leicestershire, promises another contest. Mr. Tapling gained the seat by 1,138 in 1886, on a poll of over 10,000 ; but as on that occasion a considerable number of Liberals, who have, it is asserted, since rejoined the Gladstonians, abstained from voting, there may be some uncertainty about the result, especially as the electorate itself has increased since 1886 by 2,715 voters, whose politics are still in dispute. Again, in South Dorsetshire there is a vacancy, caused by the death of Colonel Hambro, Con- servative, who won the seat in 1886 by 991, on a poll of some 6,000 votes. Mr. W. E. Brymer, formerly Conservative Member for Dorchester, is the Unionist candidate ; while Mr. Pearce-Edgecumbe, the Gladstonian, hopes to rally the villagers to carry him in against the Conservatives of Wey- mouth, Dorchester, and Portland. We gather, however, that he has little chance. Again, there is a vacancy at White- haven, caused by the death of the Right Hon. G. A. F. Cavendish Bentinck. In 1886 he won the seat from Mr. Shee, the Gladstonian candidate, by only 106 votes, on a poll of 2,326. Mr. Shee is again a candidate ; but Sir James Bain, who is canvassing in the Conservative interest, is popular, and his return by an improved majority is hoped for. Finally, the death of Mr. Greene creates a vacancy for the Stowmarket Division of Suffolk. Mr. Greene gained the seat in 1886 by a majority of 543, on a total poll of 7,269 votes ; but in 1885 the Liberals, then undivided, carried it by 1,100 votes, on a total poll exceeding 8,000, and consequently the Gladstonians (whose candidate is Mr. Sidney Stern) hope to regain it.
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