MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 389, 10 September 1875, Page 3

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday was the polling day for the three vacancies caused by the retirement from the City Council by rotation of Crs Hart, Bishop, and Calvert, and, though outwardly there was not a great deal of excitement, the number of votes polled, viz, 2352, was far in excess of the number given at any municipal election yet held. As will be seen by the result of the polling, the three new candidates, Messrs Wood, C. W. Turner, and H. Thomson were the elected ones, the only ex-councillor putting, up, Cr Hart, coming fourth. Owing to the large number of votes polled, his Worship the Mayor, the town clerk, and those engaged in the work of making up the returns, though using the utmost despatch, were unable to declare the total result until past seven o'clock. His Worship said that he was sorry to have detained those present so long, but when they remembered the very large number of ratepayers who had recorded their votes, they would see that it had been impossible to get through earlier. He would now proceed to declare the state of the poll, which was as follows ' — W. D. Wood 630 C.W.Turner 622 H. Thomson 447 M. B. Hart 335 J. A. Bird ' ... 165 E. H. Banks 76 J. Hancock 67 J. Lee He had therefore to declare Messrs W. D. Wood, C. W. Turner, and H. Thomson duly elected as councillors for the City of Christchurch. [Loud cheers.J The various 'candidates having addressed the ratepayers briefly, the successful ones thanking them for the honor done them, and the unsuccessful congratulating the city upon having secured three such able representatives, the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Mayor, proposed by Mr J. Lee, and seconded by Mr Bauks. LYTTELTON. Great excitement prevailed during the day, and towards 4 p.m. a large number of people assembled at the polling booth to hear the result. About 4.50 the Returning Officer came forward and declared the ; to be as follows : P. Cunningham 270 Dr Rouse 211 F. Graham 170 Parsons 126 W. Holmes 8 5 The first three were therefore declared duly elected. The result was greeted with loud cheers. Mr Cunningham returned thanks. He expected to be second to Dr Rouse, and would endeavor to do his duty without fear or favor. He intended next Monday night to try and get a road up the Bridle track, shewing them that he was in favor of doing something for himself as well aa for others. (Laughter and cheers.) He was in favor of collecting the rates wilhin three months, and would work hard in the Council to get this done. (Cheers.) Dr Rouse said he thanked them for'having again returned him. He was not jealous of seeing Mr Cunningham at the head of the poll, as he knew the man. He hoped he should have more leisure to serye them now than he had had during the past seven or eight months in consequence of the decrease of sickness. [Cheers.] Mr Cuff said he had to return thanks for Mr F. Graham, who was unhappily absent on board a vessel. He knew Mr Graham looked well after his own business, and he would look well after theirs. He (Mr Cuff) was the only one likely !to regret Mr Graham's devoting himself to the Council.

Mr Parsons thanked those who had voted for him. Should they require his services at any future time, he should be happy to come forward. [Cheers.] Mr Wm. Holmes also spoke, briefly announcing his intention of agaiu contesting the election for a seat in the Council when opportunity offered. This concluded the proceedings. KAIA.POI. The polling at the aunnal election fox- the return of three members for the Borough Council, in room of Messrs Beharrell, Parnham, and Wearing, retiring, was held Th'Tdday, at the Council Chambers bitween the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Mayor actirg as returning officer. The proceedings were anything but lively, except in regard to the avowed advocates for dredging the river, who were warmly supported, and a few wagers were laid on the result of the voting. At the close of the poll the Mayor declared the numbers polled for each candidate to have been — Ellen, J. W 102 Smethurst, E 79 Parnham, E G 9 Beharrell, J jjj» Manning, J. ... "0 Wilson, I. .« - Retired

He had therefore to declare the first three duly elected. | Cheers.J Mr Ellen, on returning thanks, said he felt much obliged to the electors for the support given to him, more in fact th i u he had expected. The burgesses had been able to judge of his past conduct when in the Council some years ago, and from the fact that he had lived in the town nearly all his life they might depend upon it he should do his utmost fsr the advancement of the borough. [Cheers.J Mr Smethurst said he was extremely grateful to the voters for the support accorded to him, and for this expression of confidence which they had placed in him. His intention was to do his best for both sides of the river, and they might rely on it he should not rest ue til the river was dredged. [Cheers.] Mr Parnham returning thanks, stated he had not asked a single burgess for his vote, but so long as the town would return him, he was glad to do his best in its interests, and as an independent member support such measures as would be to the benefit of the borough generally. [Cheers.] Mr Manning said, although beaten, he intended to try again, and thanked all who had that day supported him. [Cheers.] A vote of thanks, proposed by Mr Ellen, seconded by Mr Smethurst, to the returning officer, terminated the proceedings.