St Albans.

The announcement of the numbers was delayed by the non-arrival of the Addington returns, but at 8.30 p.m., by which time 200 or 300 electors had congregated in the neighbourhood of the principal booth, the Mr W. F. Beatson, announced the result of* the polling to be asjfollowr:— To o -v 3 .jf I -I 3 ■ S" M 3 3 £ W. P.Eeeves -„. 311 304 85 102 803 F.J. Garrick ... 416 129 6G 27 638 Majorityior Beeves 164 The lesultwaß jreceivediwithv load cheers,, and Mr Reeves -was- carried from the polling place to his carriage, fxom which the horses were taken out, their places being assumed by the principal members of his Committee, who* dragged him to Christchurch, a distance of one mile and a third. At the Timer office the huge crowd, . assembled to learn the result of the elections, cheered himmost enthugiastically as heiwaa borne from the street into the; building, where he soon appeared at an tipper window, whencß'ie addressed a few words to the people below. He said — "Gentlemen, the independent electorshave beaten the Independent candidate. (Cheers.) Men have beaten money for once — (cheera)- — and Protection hasbeaten Freetraae in Freefcrade's own stronghold. (Cheers.) As you know, I was heavily defeated last week at theshow of hands, but an.' lrish friend of mineconaoled me, saying — "M ever mind, Mr Eeeves, Monday night will be the j day." (Laughter and cheers.) Aflu behold, Monday night has been the day. (Cheers:) I hope fhemew&to-morrow will showa-gieat -victory for the> people- of New Zealand. Gentlemen,, three- cheers for the Government. (Loud^and- long-continued, cheering.)