MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

DECLARATION OF THB POLL. The offioial declaration of tho result of the annual election for City Councillors wbb made at noon to-day at the City Council Chambers. About 60 persons were present. Tho Returning Officer, Mr G. L. Lee, formally announced the result of the poll as follows : — NOBTH-WBST WABD. Bowman, J. ... ... ... 222 Lambert, T. S 148 Oliver, J. P 45 NOBTHBAST WABD. Hiornß, B 282 Samuels, W. B 210 Oliver, J. P 44 South-bast Wabd. Hulbert, 0. P 566 Manning, tiamuel 519 The number of informal votes was 38, viz : — 22 in the South-east Ward, 11 in the Jforth-eafct Ward, and 5 in the North-west Ward. He declared Messrs Hulbert, Bowman, and Hiorns duly elected. Mr Hulbert desired to thank the ratepayers for placing him in tbe position he occupied, and more especially those gentlemen who had worked so hard and so disinterestedly to secure his return. He felt that he had obtained the only reward a man in his position could look for — that those for whom he had worked in the Council were satisfied with him, and so had returned him to represent them again. He could say that next to his own return nothing would hate given him greater pleasure than to have had his opponent, Mr Manning, to sit in tho Council with him. He thought that, had that gentleman's friends been more judicious, they could easily have managed to got him into the Council. He felt that there was no need for him to say much more, as he had served them long enough for them to be acquainted with him. He would only assure them that he would continue to look after their interests in the future as he bad done in the past. (Applause.) He again thanked them for his return. Mr Manning expressed his thanks to those who had voted for him, and who had placed j him in a good position «n the poll, though he had not been returned. He begged to be excused from any further remarks, and again thanked those who had supported him. (Applause.) Mr Bowman said he was very much obliged to the ratepayers for the position he occupied. It would be his endeavour to do hisvery bast to look after the interests of the public generally. He must also express hit thanks specially to the ladiai who had been kind enough to come forward and vole for him. (Cheers and loud laughter.) He was perfectly astonished at his position, aa he had polled more than the other two candidates put together. He had been a resident of Christohurch for 27 years, and he had never even opened his mouth at a public meet- ' ing. Therefore, he was particularly astonished at his success against Mr Oliver, who could entertain a publio meeting for fifteen hours at a stretch, if he could get any one to listen to him ; and who contested election after election without the smallest prospeot of being returned. (Laughter). Mr Oliver knew more of politics than any man in the place, except Jack Lee. (Renewed laughter). He was also so well up in Muaicipal matters, that had he been returned, he would have upset the whole of the City Council, and swallowed the Town Clerk. (Great laughter). He (Mr Bowman) was surprised that they had not returned Mr Oliver, and thought the only return they could Make tbat gentlemen for his servioes was to send him into the General Assembly. (Laughter). Mr Bowman concluded by again thanking the voters of the North-west Ward for his return. (AppUnie). Mr Hirons thanked the ratepayers for returning him. He said he had come forward to do the best he could for the North-east Ward, and he would now do hit very best for the interests of his own ward, and of the city in general. As Mr Bowman had said, he wished especially to thank the ladies, of whom several had voted for him. (Laughter. A Voice : But you're a better looking gentleman! Renewed laughter.) He again thanked those who had supported him. Mr Samuels wished to thank alll who had voted for him. Though he was second on the poll, he considered that tho number lie had polled showed that ho had as good as gained a victory, as he had employed no canvassers, no cabs, and had not asked for a single vote. (Applause.) Those who had supported him had done so of their own accord. He could assure them that if at any future time his services were required,. they were ab their disposal. (Applause.) There were loud Calls for Messrs Lambert and Oliver, but neither of these gentlemen put in an appearance. Mr Louisson, who came forward in answer to repeated calls, said he had not expected to have to make a speeoh, as he had been returned without a contest. He had not consented to be nominated with any idea of obtaining honour, though it was a high honour to represent the ratepayers ia the City Council. He had thought of the responsibility of the office, which ought to be considered as muoh aB tho honour. The contests in the other wards showed that the citizens were alive to the importance of the municipal eleotions, and he hoped they would always be so (hear, hear) nnd that there would always be good men willing to represent them. He would do his best for them as long as he had time to devote to their interests, and when he had not ho would let some one else take his place, as he thought that anyone who wished to enter the Council should at least be able to devote his time to it. (Applause.) (A voice : Is there any chance of getting cheap beer now ?) Mr Louisson : Oh, yes ; we'll send you to Wellington to get the beer duty repealed. (Laughter.) Mr Hulbert then moved a vote of thanks to the Beturning Officer, which was seconded by Mr Bowman and carried. Mr G. L, Lee briefly acknowledged the compliment, and stated that the election for the extraordinary vaoanoy in the North-west Ward would take place as soon as possible. The proceedings then terminated.