EDEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 295, 13 December 1899, Page 2

EDEN.

Mr B. Gilmer, returning officer for Eden, formally declared the result of the poll at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the principal polling booth, Devonport. Mr M. Niccol was present, but in the absence of Mr John Lollard that gentleman's son attended, the outcome of the scrutiny was much the same as indicated in yesterday s issue. The scrutiny resulted in four votes being deducted from the totals of each candidate. The three seamen s and commercial travellers' votes were then opened, two being for Mr Bollard and one for Mr Niccol. There were 52 informal votes. Fourteen unstamped papers were rejected, but had these been allowed the result would still have been a small majority for Mr Bollard, as it is stated eight were for Mr Niccol and six for his opponent. The returnino- officer announced Mr Bollard elected" giving the result as follows: — -. Votes. Bollard, John 22bJ> Niccol,' Malcolm 22;_ 1 Informal °3

Mr Niccol remarked: "He has received them, but, unfortunately, he is not elected by a majority. However, 1 suppose I must accept it." In his advertisement thanking the electors, Mr Niccol also states: "A majority of you having cast your votes in my favour, I occupy the honourable position of being the chosen Representative of Eden, for which high honour I return you my sincere and hearty thanks. Through an unfortunate technical error' I am deprived, of the honour you desired to confer upon me, and effect has not been given to the will of the electors.."