MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

».. The Municipal elections wore brought to a closo at noon to-day by the official declaration of the poll, in front of the City CounciL Chambors, by Mr Q. L. Lee, Returning Officer. That gentleman gave out the figure* for each, ward as follows : — SOUTH-KABX VfABD. Ayers, A 669 Hulbert, 0. P. ... 521 Cuff, A 493 Manning, S 478 SOUTH-WES* "WABD. England, R. W. 366 Taylor, C. B 274 Vincent, W 272 Binstead, R 130 HOBTH-BAST WAIiD. Bishop, R.O 438 King, W. 8 316 Wyatt, M. M 8... 306 Thomson, H 254 Mr Lee declared the three first-namedl gentlemen in each ward duly elected. Mr Ayers said he would not say he did BQb expect to get in but he did sot ejeto bo placed in the position ho was. He sincerely thanked them for the honour conferred upon him and would do hu toeit in. the interests of the city. He had, also to thank the ratepayers for Messrs Humbert and Cuff,, who were unavoidably absenU M,r R. C. Bisliop thanked the raispayew ©£ Ow North-Ens.t Ward for electing him. He "was not in a position to BpoajK of past services, but he would do his vtmost for the ratepayers. Mr C. B. Taylor thanked, the ratepayers for the honour done him, and would support those measures which would bo conduoivo to the Wncfit o£ the city, Alter referring ta

'the Batepayers' Association in terms of ■commendation, he said there were two great things whioh would occupy the attention of -the new Council. One was the Town Hall. He did not think a suitable Town Hall could "be erected for £20,000. In a progressive city like this they were rot to look forward merely to five or ten yeurs, but at least to twenty year?, and a Town Hall suitable for the city for that time could not be built for £20,000. With regard to the water supply, he thought it rieceasary to have a supply for rfire prevention purposes, and his object would be to get carried out such a sohemo, but at as small a cost as possible, as he thought the citizens sufficiently taxed already. He would again thank them for the honour < conferred upon him. MrW.S. Kingalso returned thanks, and said he looked upon the Town Hall and water ■ supply as absolute necessities. He would do this best for the citizens generally. Mr Wyatt returned thankß for the confi- ■ dence placed in him. He would not promise what he would or would not do, but would be , guided by circumstances and act accordingly. He would, however, endeavour to get the rates made as low as possible, and have the -money spent in a judioioua and economic manner. Mr Oherrill and Mr Gape 3 (North-west Ward) also biisfly returned thanks, and promised to do their best in the interests of • the ratepayers Mr Thomson, though a defeated candidate, begged to return thanks to thoso who pupported him. He congratulated the citizens • upon having elected a Council which would •-fairly represent them. A vote of thanks to the Eeturning Officer terminated the proceedings.