OFFICIAL DECLARATION.

North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 110, 29 March 1866, Page 2

OFFICIAL DECLARATION.

The official declaration of the poll was made by the Returning Officer on Saturday, at 12 o'clock noon. Twenty or thirty persons were present. The polling was declared to have been as follows : — For Mr Campbell 80 „ Mr Ingram 43 The Returning Officer thereupon declared Mr Robert Campbell, Jun., to be duly elected. The announcement was received with loud cheers. Mr Campbell, who was present, said ho hud to thank the whole of the electors of Oamaru, Otepopo, and Hanrpden for having that day placed him in thejproud position of being their member in the House of Representatives. He only hoped he should never feel unworthy of the confidence which had been placed in him, and he could assure them that his best efforts would be spent in advocating the interests and advancing the prosperity of the Electoral District of Oamaru. Mr Campbell then alluded in appropriate terms to the friendly feeling which had existed throughout the contest between himself and his opponent, Mr Ingram. He likewise promised to take an early opportunity of meeting the electors before he went to Wellington, with a view to talking over what was to be done for the district. Of this, ho wonld give them full notice. He begged also to assure them that he would always be

happy to meet his constituents at the end of each session to give an account of his actions in the Assembly, and to receive their suggestions, which he should endeavor to carry out to the beat of his ability. He again thanked the electors for the high honor they had conferred upon him. (Applause.) Mr Ingram also briefly addressed the electors and non-electora present for the support he had received during the contest ; and likewise Mr Campbell, for the kindly manner in which he had spoken of himself as his opponent. This showed that they could verify the old phrase — " First shake hands before ye box, Then deal each other plaguey knocks ;" and still entertain the b«st feelings towards one another. Ha sincerely wished Mr Campbell every success. Even up to half-past two o'clock on the day of poll he (Mr Ingram) thought he would have been elected: but had he for a moment thought he would have been beaten by such a large majority, he would have given up the contest before. He again thanked the electors for the large measure of support accorded to him, and for the manner in which the battle had been fought. He then moved a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, which being seconded by Mr Campbell, was carried with loud cheers. Mr Campbell then called for three cheers for Mr Ingram, and the like compliment was returned to Mr Campbell, both of which calls wero responded to most enthusiastically. The entire proceedings passed off most harmoniously.