THE MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

BLENHEIM'S CHOICE

! MR J. J. CORRY RETURNED. The activity displayed in the Blenheim Mayoral campaign yesterday was maintained up till the last moment, a considerable amount of voting being done between six and seven o'clock. The motor car traffic was a feature of the day. - Nevertheless, the total number of votes recorded did not reach the figures registered last year, when 1412 electors attended the poll. On this occasion 1349 electors exercised the franchise. The heavy rain which fell during the greater part of the afternoon must have militated in no small degree against the anticipations of record voting. The nominal roll number was 2124, and it was estimated that about 400 persons whose mames were on the roll were either ineligible for various reasons or were away from th© district.

The Returning Officer/ Mr D. P. !-Sinclair, and his staff dealt with the ■ polling figures with despatch, and the ! results were announced from the Mar- ' ket Place Rotunda at eight, o'clock. A large number of people listened to the declaration, which was received with cheers. The results were as follows:— John Joseph Corry ... ...... 612 Christopher James Whitney Griffiths ... ... ... 435 John James Winsbury White ... 295 Informal votes 7 Total votes polled 1349 The candidates addressed the assemblage from the rotunda, each being popularly received. Mr Corry said he had to return his sincere thanks to the electors for placing him in the proud position of Mayor of Blenheim. It was very pleasing to him to be able to feel that the burgesses had watched with favor the little he had done as a Borough Councillor for the last twelve months, "and were willing that he should be at the head of their affairs. They could be assured that he would do his utmost to serve their interests as Mayor of the town; and'he"felt quite sure that in this aim he would have the friendly support .of the other two candidates. ,' It was a proud thing for him that he had been chosen in preference to "two citizens of such calibre as that of Mr Griffiths and Mr White. He heartily thanked 'these two. gentlemen for the courtesy and fairness I which they had" extended to him right j through the" contest, and' hopecfto i meet them on- friendly terms,in public affairs,in the near future. He again thanked .the electors " for the confidence they had reposed1 in him, and would make it his earnest effort to i>rove that their selection wasjusti!fied. At the instance of Mr Corry, cheers were given for Mr Griffiths and Mr White. _ . ■ ■ ~ Mr Griffiths" congratulated Mr Corry son his success, and assured "him'that'whatever assistance he could give him as Mayor he would readily accord. He thanked th© ladies and gentlemen who had favored him with their support, and said that whatever regret he felt at being defeated was more on their account than on his own. Perhaps he would seek their favor on a future occasion, when, he hoped, Mr Corry would be a sapportrr instead of an opponent. Mr Griffiths, thanked Mr .Corry and .Mr White for the .friendly attitude they had maintained towards him in the campaign, and l'emarked that the spirit in which the contest was fought out was an example that might well be followed in ;aU elections. ' ,

Mr White said that he particularly thanked the 295 people who liau desired to see Mm the Chief Magistrate of the, town. He congratulated Mr Corry on his success, and assured him that he would be delighted to assist him as much as be could in. carrying out the responsibilities he was now assuming. Mr 'White reminded- the electors that a yavancy would he caused on the" Council by the promotion of Councillor Corry to the Mayoral chair. ■ He intimated that he was prepared to offer himself for that position,.and hoped that the burgesses would give hini^ this opportunity of serving their interests. Responding- to a call' from the crowd Mr R. McArtney, An ex-Mayor, delivered a brief-■'address. ■ He expressed his ' appreciation of the selec/ tion of Mr Corry, of whom he was an active supporter,, and said he was convinced that the _ electors would never regret the choice. Mr Corry was a young-and vigorous man, who would,, he was confident, achieve good work. The gathering dispersed after giving cheers for Mr and Mrs Corry.

OUTSEDE .RETURNS

The following are the returns from outside places :-— Wellington :■ McLaren (Labor) 4235, Biss 2634, Smith 1907, Wright 1557. Auckland: Parr - 10,093, Skelton 3543.

Christchurch: H. Holland (Labor) 4127, Dr. Thacker 2931, J. Dougall (retiring Mayor) 2637.