Invercargill Mayoral Election.

Southland Times, Issue 9542, 11 June 1887, Page 2

Invercargill Mayoral Election.

_♦- The,, election of a citizen to occupy tho position of Mayor, vice Mr D. Roche, resigned, was held at the Municipal offices yesterday. Throughout the day considerable interest wae taken in the election, and the supporters of the candidates (Messrs A. Tapper and A. Blacke) were extremely busy. As the time for declaring the result of the poll drew near, tho excitement increased, there being fully 200 persons present, when, precisely at 6.30 p.m., the Returning Officer (Mr Scandrett) declared the result to be : — A Tapper «37 A Biacke 242 thus returning Mr A. Tapper with 95 as a majority. The result was received with vociferous cheering and some counter* demonstrations. Mr Tapper, on appearing to return . thanks, was received with prolonged cheering. ( He said': Allow me, gentlemen, to address the lot of you, except one matt who hooted. There was apparently only one man who did not agree with the result after euch a_fair fight. Mr Tapper went on to cay that he promised to contest the election, and he did so fairly. He also said . he would carry out several things if he were returned, and he would do his very utmost to fulfil his promises, and if ha did not do so be would feel it fifty timee more than any one of them. He desired particularly to thank the committee who had worked, unsolicited, so energetically for him. He had not the slightest feeling against those tfho had voted for hia opponent, and he would continue to hold out the right hand of fellowship to them.— (Applause.) Since Mr Blacks and he had been in the Council th,ey had both sought to do their duty, and as long as they did that he was sure they would have the support of the ratepayers. — (Applause.) As be felt tired and thought hejhad earned his tea he would give way to Mr Blacke. Mr Blacke sincerely thanked the ratepayers who had recorded their votes in hii favour, and especially the committee, who ha i worked well and faithfully on hia behalf. In standing for the mayoralty ho thought be was representing the interests of the working men, and no one regretted his defeat more than be did. With regard to his opponent, Mr Tapper, good feeling and fellowship had existed throughout the contest, and although he was defeated ho would take it with the best possible graoe. He again thanked the ratepayers who had voted for bim, and the crowd dispersed.