CITY COUNCIL ELECTION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 306, 11 September 1874, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL ELECTION.

>, The formal declaration of the poll took place at noon to-day. The numbers were as follows :— ■ \ i V Wright .._ 676 - Haddow 627 Stringer* 560 Hooper 537 Lightband 478 Mabin * 456 Jennings , 358 Levien \ ..*■ 351 His Woebhip the Mayor declared tbe ioqr first named to be duly elected. Mr Wright said that, as first on the list, he muet be the first to return his sincere and hearty thanks to those who had placed him in so proud aud honorable a position. He certainly should use his best endeavors to retain tbe confidence of those who had supported him. He had not to thank the Reform League for his success but had come forward as an independent candidate, who had plenty of time on his hands, and was ready to devote it to the welfare of tbe City. Mr Haddow Baid that, although the Reform League had certainly nominated him, he was perfectly independent of that body. He was the nominee of no clique or party, bnt was prepared to act upon his own judgment as he had always done. It was from no desire of his own that he had come 1 forward, but a number of the electors had insisted upon his doing so, and he 1 had at last consented, but he should pursue bis own course and allow no one to dictate to him. They ga_ve him their votes, and in return he 'should i give his services to tbe best of his ability. Mr Hooper thanked those who had supported him for the renewal of their confidence, this being the fourth time i he bad been elected. He hoped he

buouiu always continue to serve them in the same spirit, and to do all he could to further the interests of the City. He had not to thank the Reform League for hia election, but on the contrary^ had beeb successful in spite of them, they having made a dead set against him, though he did not know why, as he had always acted and voted conscientiously. Mr Jennings returned his thanks to those who had voted for him. Mr Levien had come forward under the League, but he supposed it was in tha nature of things that tbe heaviest body should always fall to the bottom, though in water he perhaps might have the advantage, and have floated instead of sinking. He was not at all annoyed at his want of success, but at the same time he considered that the voting had been unfair and illegal, and he should protest against it. The Mayor said he could take no notice of a verbal protest, but that if Mr Levien bad any objection to make be must put it in writing. Mr Levien then wrote as follows:— To the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Nelaon — Gentlemen, please take notice that for myself and the other candidates that were not present at the official declaration of the poll for four Councillors that I deem the present election unfair and illegal in consequence of giving a large portion of the electors more votes tban they were legally entitled to, and any other acta performed that were not in accordance with tbe Acts made and provided — J. H. Levien. The following information relative to the voting may be interesting. Of the 641 on tbe roll, 270 only voted. The total number of votes recorded was 1170, and there were 32 rejected on tbe ground of informality.