MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXIII, Issue 80, 25 April 1901, Page 3

MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

f NEW PLYMOUTH. The contest for the Mayoralty, keen as it was expected to he, was most quietly conducted, and but for the fact; that during the day there was more than the usual amount of cab traffic in the town it would hardly have struck a stranger that two elections of importance were proceeding. Both the present Mayor (Mr. Dockrill) and his opponent Mr. I R. Cock were much in evidence and their respective supporteis were actively engaged in mustering up veters. The chief polling station was at the Town Hall and was presided over by Mr. 0. E. Bdlringer, the Returning Officer, who bad a deputy at each of the ether stations, in tbe East and West wards. Up to 2.30 only a few over 400 votes had been recorded, the number rising at 4 o'clock to 640. At the close of the poll at 7 o'clock the numbers had reached 1033. Mr. Bellringer lost no time in the count which was comp'eted shortly before 8 o'clock when the result was declared as follows: Mr. E. Dockrill .. 630 Mr. R. Cock .. 403 thus giving the present occupier of the Civic Chair a majority of 227. A veiy large crowd, almost as numerous as at the Parliamentary (lection, had gathered in front of the Town Hall, and three hearty cheers weie given for ' the successful candidate.

Mr. Dockrill, in acknowledging the compliment, expressed his hearty thanks for the support accorded to him. He raid that he took the large majority by which he had been elected as a* indication that bis actions during his late Mayoralty had met with the approval of his fellow citizens. In being re-elected by such a decisive majority he had received a great incentive to do his utmost towards promoting tbe interests of the | burgesses and the prosperity of the town.

The Returning Officer's arrangements were well planned and worked smoothly and he ie to be congratulated on the promptness with which the result of the ballot was deelared. The Poll was not so heavy as anticipated, the total number on the register being 1476.

Wellington.—J. G. W. Aitken, 5801 ; T. M. Wi ford, 2732. Auckland.—Dr. Campbell, 3517 ;D. Arkell, 875. Nelfon.— H. Baig'nt, 802 ; F. Tiask, 664.

Petone.—R. Mothes, 414 ; R. C. Kirk, 396. Danedic. Denniston, 2279 ; DawBon, 1414 ; Chapaan, 641. Wasginui.—Hatriuk, 1131; Bastetfc 719.

For St. Eilda G. Hedges was elected; South Dunedin, A. Todd ; North East Valley, P. B. Anderson.