CHRISTCHURCH NORTH ELECTION.

DECLARATION OF THE POLL. The official declaration of the poll taken for the return of a member of the House of Representatives for Christchurch North took place at noon yesterday at the old Provincial Council Chambers. There was* large attendance of electors. Mr G. L. Lee, Returning Officer, stated that the result of the poll taken the pre* vious day was— E. W. Humphreys ... ... 403 John Ollivier 378 Eden George... ... ...-.184 He therefore declared Mr E. W. Hum* phreys duly elected to represent Christchurch North in the House of Representatives, in the stead of Sir Julius Vogel. Mr Humphreys, who was received with applause, said he stood before them as the proudest man in New Zealand. _(Hear, near.) One short month ago he had never imagined that he would stand in the proud position they had placed him in. He fait it from the bottom of his heart. It was his first appearance in public life, and to have been returned to such a position was a proud achievement.' -' (Applause.) He would do his best to Justify the confidence they had reposed in him. He was going to Wellington fully alive to the honor they had done him, and to the great responsibilities of the office. The constituency was second to none in importance in the colony. (Applause.) It was a peculiar constituency, made up as it was of all sorts, conditions, and orders of' men. Every class of the community was represented, and there was, therefore, every reason why a representative should bring all the powers of his mind to bear on bis duties. (Hear, hear.) He promised he would spare no effort in looking after their interests, and in watching the welfare of the colony at large. (Applause.) It was as great an honor as could be poured on the head of a member to return him at the first time of asking. When he came before them after his term of office I was up he hoped those who had opposed him would be able to say he had done very j well, and that they would then give him a ! show for a full Parliament. (Applause.) The contest had been free from all acrimonious feeling, and by the opposing section in the Press he had been treated fairly. There were many bonds of union between him and Mr Ollfvier, but the sweetest of of those memories would be the recollection of their associations during the fight. (Applause.) The words "John Ollivier" would stand in his mind as a synonym for "courteous gentleman." (Applause.) He had nothing to say against Mr George. Mr George had given him some heavy digs, but they were fair and manly, and there had been no hitting below the belt. He again thanked them heartily and would promise to work hard Iα theii service. (Applause). *> ; ' Mr Olltvxeb, who waa well received, said he was in the proud position of being a defeated candidate. When ho awoke that morning and found be bad-been defeated be was positively grateful (Oh! oh! and laughter) because they had selected Mr Humphreys in preference to Mr Eden George. (Applause and laughter.) He thanked those loyal and true men who bad voted for him, and, moreover, he thanked the something like three hundred persons who had emphatically promised him support, but neglected to keep their promise. (Hear, hear.) The highest position a man could occupy was to be able to say bia word was his bond. Persons bad volunteered to eupport him whom he would have scorned to iask for a vote. (Oh, Oh.) If those men bad seen just reason for changing their opinion, why did they not come to him and ask him to release them from their pledge. (Hear, hear.) He despised a man who went from his word. They were not to imagine he was in the least degree annoyed at the result of the poU. (Oh, Oh.) He could take or give a licking as well as any young man in the halL (Applause.) He congratulated them on the choice they had made, as he believed Mr Humphreys would represent them faithfully. He (Mr Ollivier) would never be a candidate for a public office again. The present method of conducting elections was contemptible. (On, oh.) Mr George had conducted the election as fairly as could be, but be wan ashamed of the conduct of those protectionists who had supported him aa they had done, thereby injuring the cause in Canterbury. Those men who bad bad to do with that production called the Echo were a disgrace to society, and no man who bad any regard for bia character would have allowed Mmseli to bo trampled upon by such persona. (Applause.) It was only got up to scan* dalously vilify and asperse his (the speaker's) character. In conclusion, be bad no desire but to further the interests di the district in which be had made bla borne. (Applause.) Hβ thanked the Be* "turning Officer for his many acts of kindness, and bad no regrets except for the treachery of those persons who ought to have known better. (Applause.) - _ Mr Eden Geobge, who was received with applauae and strong marks of dieapprobation, explained that he wrote the whole of the Echo himself. (Jeers and groans. Mr Oixivteb—" More shame ft* you, th?n.") He had endeavored to show that nothing personal was meant. A bill that was rotated in the Lytteiton Times office contained statements more uneentlemanly towards himself than anything in the Echo waa to Wβ opponents. There were, perhaps, things in the Echo ungentlemanly towards Mr W. P. Reeves, who had not treated him (Mr George) as a gentleman should. He intended to fight Mr Reeves with his paper. He claimed that under the Hare system, which was opposed by the LyUeiton Times, Mr Ollivier would have Been elected, as the protectionist votes gained by him (Mr George) would have gone to swell Mr Olliviers quota, so that he would nave been returned. (Dissent.) Bβ could take a licking like a man* — (dissent)—and felt more sympathy for his brother defeated candidate than for himself. He would have retired in favor of Mr Ollivier but that he did not mean to be put down by the hyttdton Times. He did not intend that this would be the laefc time of asking. He intended to try again, and he had decided that the next trystfag ground would be St. Albans. (Laughter and prolonged cheering.) If Mr Keeve* took up the sword to flghthlm, be was not going to run like a cur. (Dissent.) He had twelve months before him to prepare for the fight, and claimed that those protectionists who had-voted for Mm were those who bad been responsible fox the recent Protectionist Conference held in Christchurch. He would rathei have the disrespect of Mr Rowland than receive the groans which Mr Howland bad been greeted with when he made his appearance the previous day. (ApElause.) He thanked those who voted for im, and congratulated Mr Humphreys on bia return. (Applause.) Mr Humphreys proposed a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, which was carried by acclamation, and the.proceedings then terminated.