A KEEN CONTEST.

MR. A. McCALLUM THE HATORELECT.

Not for many years lias the last Wednesday in April seen such a .keenly contested Mayoral election in Blenheim. Early yesterday morning, wen before the poll opened, carriages -were I«png, and as the day wore on the trickle of electors developed into a stream, until the hour of closing arrived, and no fewer than 785 burgesses had cast their votes. While the main interest centred in the mayoral election, that for the choice or nine Councillors was not allowed to go without active personal canvassing; on the part of two or three of the candidates, and at least one of the new aspirants for eijric honour hired conveyances to assist electors to the poll lowards five o'clock, when the attendance at the poll was greatest, a knot or people surrounded the Government ..Buildings steps; and the anxious supporters of the respective candidates rreely- discussed the probabilities. ■■ Towards nine o'clock, at which hour the numbers in the Mayoral election were expected to be posted, a large crowd gathered in the space between The.Express Office and the Post Office. At about 9.30 Mr D. P. Sinclair, the Returning Officer, declared the result of the poll as follows :—

MAYORAL ELECTION. Archibald McCallum ... 335 Edward H. Penny . 040 J.J.W. WTute■■■*■'■... ;:; 189 informal ... 13 j . The result was received with 'cheering and the winning candidate was called upon to address the patient burgesses In returning thanks, and acknowledging the cordial spirit that had marked the contest, the Mayorelect said his policy would be, broadly speaking that announced in his manifesto. He G articularly referred to the K.aUway Reserve, adjoining Seymour bquare, and said he would not be party to eavmg it to lie as a paddock tor school children to play on. Let the Jlidueation authorities find playgrounds for the pupils of the schools (applause and cheers.) Mr Penny, the "runner-up" in the Mayoral election, expressed his sense' or gratitude to all who had voted for him." He was disappointed, of course • but ho was not ill-pleased. He h»d recognised in Mr Archie McCallum alj

along a first-class opponent, and the contest between them had not been marred by one Uuyieasant note. Of \ course, it would be admitted by all sides that Cr yv iirca's candidature had caused a splitting of votes, and allowed :Mr McCaluin to get in by just a nice little majority. (Hear, hear.) He | heartily congratulated the winning * candidate on his election. ! Hearty cheers were then given for the Mayor. . j Cr White, in thanking his supporters, said he; had learned something over the contest He could assure those who voted for him that they would have another chance next year of doing doing it again. (Applause).) He congratulated the winner. . Cheers were then given for Cr White, and the crowd dispersed. j' The Council election poll was not deI clared until-1.15 o'clock this morning. I Very few people waited to hear the resultj which was as follows:— ] v. ; COUNCIL ELECTION. | . ,Brow«i, John ... .._.., ,544 ■ ~Carr, William ... . , 535 "/White., John J. W 459 ; '■"■'■ Griffiths, Lewis ,452 Macey, William Henry ... 451 Ching,,.William ; 447 Patehett, George ..... .... .398 McKinley, James ... .. 391 Birch, Frederick .... .... 352 Pike, Willie Davies ...... ... 332 * ■i Carry, John Joseph ~ 303 Smale, Robert H. 284 Patchettj John 219 Gamble, W. M. .; 205 Informal '... ... ... \%