CHRISTCHURCH NORTH.

The declaration of the poll in the Christchurch North district took place at noon today, at the Oity Council Chambers. The Returning Officer announced the result as already published, namely, H. Thomson, 577 : S. P. Andrews, 466 ; majority for Thomson, 111. The announcement was received with cheers and counter cheers. Mr Thomson said the declaration just made had placed him in the proud position of being the representative of the district in the next Parliament. He was deeply sensible of the honour conferred upon him; he regarded it as a great mark of confidence. Ho trusted his actions would prove the people had not been mistaken. (A Voice : " I hope not.") Mr Thomson referred to the fact that whilst two members of the late Government had been unseated, an active and able member on the other side, Mr Ormond, had been placed in a hopeless minority, 'lhere was no doubt that the great bulk of tbo people wero gradually returning to a more correct appreciation of those who were their true friends (Cries of " Question.") The contest was now over, and ho was proud to say that it had been carried out, on the part of his opponent, with the greatest friendlinosß and gentlemanly conduct. He took that opportunity of publicly acknowledging his appreciation of Mr Andrews' kindness and and courtesy. Mr Thomson having expressed bis thanks to those who had aided him, trusted that he would be regarded as tbe representative of all tbe electors, not merely of those wbo bad supported him. Mr S. P. Andbbws, who was well received, said that throughout his Parliamentary career he had never shirked any quesl ion ; he had always voted in accordance with his conscience, without regard to consequences. He .did not presume to say be had never made mistakes ; his errors were of judgment more than of the heart. (Applause.) In private he trusted to live such a life as to command the esteem and respect of all men ; and if at the end of three years he received a requisition, he would be prepared to conßidor it, and probably to come forward again. Mr Andbbws moved, and Mr Thomson seconded, a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer. Mr G. LESLIE Leb, in acknowledging the compliment, referred to a remark which had been reported in the newspapers, to the effect that by bis action BCD or 600 names had been kept off the roll for Ohrißtohurch north. Most of those present had known him for J ears, and no one, he was sure, would regard im as being even likely to be guilty of such an action. The duties of his office had been very onerous, and there had unfortunately been mistakes. These were due to the very difficult task he had had to perform. Mr Leb was understood to say further, that there had been an accidental omission of names ; but owing to some confusion amongst th» crowd he was imperfeotly heard. Tho proceedings then terminated. ST ALBANS. The official declaration of the result of the polling in the St Albans Electoral District took place at noon to-day, at the Avon Boad Board office. About 20 persons were present. The Returning-Officer, Mr Holdernese, announced the result of the poll aB follows : — St Albans. Addington. Total. J. Evans Brown 177 41 218 J. L. Wilson ... 145 23 168 A. W. O'Neill ... 68 17 85 Informal votes, 5. He declared Mr J. Evans Brown duly elected, and called on thoso candidates who wished to address the electors. Mr J. Etanb Bbows said that he felt vory proud of the position in which he had been placed by the votes of the electors. He would servo them to the very best of his ability, and would also do what he thought was beßt for tbe Oolony as a whole. He hoped that all feeling that might have been engendered by the contest might paBS away, and that any of those who bad voted against him would come at onco to him if they wanted anything done for them, as his policy always had been so to conduct himself while in the House, that those who had opposed him at one election would support him at the ( next one. There was one matter he wished to refer to, indeed he had been asked to do so. It had been reported that he had gone to a certain employer in order to induce him to dismiss an employee who was among his (the speaker's) opponents. He knew that this report had lost him 25 votes in one hour on ' the election day. He had not heard of the rumour till that morning. Now ho held ' letters both from the employer in question, and the employee, which anyone who wished could see if ho wished to, though . of course he (Mr Brown) would mention no names. Tho employee, in his letter, stated ■ that no attempt whatever had been made to coerce or threaten him in respect to his action in the election. The employer stated that no request or threat had been made uee . of to endeavour to make him dismiss the employee ; and, indeed, that no one had said . anything to him about the election or tho employee's action therein. Mr Brown then said that he was very sorry that anyone should think ao meanly of him as to suppose t him capablo of interfering with a man just because he happened to differ from him in politics. (Hear, hear.) Ho hoped that if he f should ever again have to ask them to return p him he would not be disappointed. (Hear, hear.) f Mr O'Nbil said that he was not given to crying over spilt milk. It was evident that , all the candidates could not get to the top oi the poll. He wished to thank those who had voted for him. He especially wished to thar _ those ladies of St Albans who had given him their sympathy and good wishes. He would . not detain them any longer, but content him- ' self with wishing them all a Merry Ohriitmae r and a Happy New Year. (Hear, hear.) Mr Wilson was not preeent. A vote of thanks to tho Returning OfficM was moved by Mr Brown, seconded by Mi O'Neill, and carried. Mr Hoidbbness, in acknowledging tho vote of thanks, congratulated tho electors on the manner in which the election had been carried on. The utmost good feeling bad prevailed • throughout. It had been a pleasure to hirn to conduct the proceedings (hear, hear). The assemblage then dispersed.