AVON.

The contest for the Avon seat between Messrs Blake and Stead called forth a good deal of energy from the supporters of each candidate. The following is an unofficial statement of the result of the polling : —

Majority for Blake 187. There were 18 informal votes recorded. A large crowd awaited the result outside the principal polling place, the Papanui Town Hall. Shortly after 9 p.m. the Returning Officer announced the result as above, and it was received with loud cheers. Subsequently Mr Blake gave a short address at the Papanui hotel. He sincerely thanked them, especially those who had worked for him ; but what he wished especially to say was that the result had proved that the hearts of the people were warmer than gold. (Cheers.) Three times they had done him the honour to return him as their representative, and he took it that it showed they were satisfied with him, and convinced that he had kept his promises, or they would not have done so. (Cheers.) There waa an old story that when a man could not get his mare to go, he pulled out his purse and beat her, but in this case money would not make the mare go. The working men had beaten the combined power of one of the most powerful monetary concerns in the city, and he again thanked them for the honour they had done him that day. (Loud cheers.)

E. Blake G. G. Stead Papanui ... 254 249 Richmond ... 324 212 Belfast ... 100 36 Ohoka ... 65 60 Clarkeville ... 21 30 I Total ... 774 587