BOROUGH OF BLENHEIM.

The biennial election of Mayor and Councillors to represent the burgesses of Bleak elm was held yesterday, the balloting being done in the Courthouse. Merely ordinary interest was manifested in the contests. That for the mayoralty naturally secured the greater degree of attention, both candidates being recognised as strong men and likely winners. In the case of the Council election the chief dif ficulty which exercised the minds of the bulk of the voters was the selection of the solitary candidate who should be left in outer darkness. The comparative voting would appear to indicate that many burgesses contented themselves with indicating their wish in regard to the selection of the Chief Magistrate, as the votes polled in that department totalled 562, whereas 427 was the number gained by the highest candidate on the other list. Further inspection of the figures shows that many persons must have refrained from indicating the full number of Councillors, as, taking away the three leading men, and distributing the votes polled by the defeated candidate amongst six others, they would only have polled on an average 383 votes, as compared with 427, 425, and 424 oast in favor of the leading three. Shortly after eight o'clock the result of the mayoral election was announced to an expectant crowd as follows: — Edward H. Penny ... 290 James B. Green ... 268 Informal ... ... 4 j The successful and defeated oandi- j dates briefly addressed the electors from the P.O. letter-box steps. Mr Penny said he accepted the honor conferred upon him with a full sense of gratitude and of the responsibility of the position. He believed that it was the duty of the Mayor and Councillors to see to it that the foundations of the town were laid with a view to its growth in importance in the future. He referred to the cordial relations which had existed between himself and his opponent throughout the contest, and which still obtained at Us conclusion ; and concluded, his remarks with renewed thanks to his supporters. ? Mr Green thanked all those who had shown their goodwill by preferring him, and said that, though defeated, he'was not beaten, and would be pleased, if spared, to re-offer himself as early as occasion offered for election to the mayoral chair or a seat on the Council. He had marked with pleasure the increased number of ladies who bad gone to the poll that day, which was a happy augury for the future. In regard to the relations between himself and the successful candidate, he had gone to Mr Penny upon deciding to oppose that gentleman and shaken hands with him, and he was now prepared to renew the indication of good feeling.

Mr Penny stepping forward j this pleasing act took place amidst applause.

Judging by the length of time taken to count the votes polled in the Conn* oil election, the new system of voting entails more work on the returning officers, for the result was not made known until after 10.30 o'clock. We notice that in Wellington, where there were 39 candidates for 15 seats on the City Council, the declaration was not expected until the early hours. It is satisfactory, however, to note the single invalid vote—a result due, no doubt, to the fact that where the old system is adhered to the vote is considered valid if the intentiou is clear. The result was as follows, the last" mentioned candidate being the rejected one :•— ■ Carr, William... ... "427 Ching, William ... 425 White, John J. W. ... 424 Patchett, George ... 403 Wiffen, Arthur ... 362 Pike, Willie Davies ... 347 Mogridge, Geo. H. ... 346 Lees, James ... ... 345 Birch, Frederick ... 344 Griffin, John T. ... 249 Informal ... ... 1