SOUTHERN MAORI BY-ELECTION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16143, 22 February 1918, Page 6

SOUTHERN MAORI BY-ELECTION.

YESTERDAY'S POLL.

MR URU ELECTED

The election to fill tlio vacancy in the Southern Maori seat, caused by the recent death of Mr Taare Paraia, was held throughout th e South Island yesterday. There were three candidate?, of whom the National Government's nominee was -Mr Henare I'arata, brother of the deceased member, and itwas generally expected, that he would win the scat. However, such was not the case, and with one return to come, which cannot possibly affect the result, the election went in favour of Mr John Koperr Wliarewiti Urn. who was returned at tho head of the poll with a majority of votes. Tho return to come is Manpainaunti. which had a roll of IT at tho last oleetiou, but which has a smaller roll number at present. Jhe polling figures were as follow*:

t Totais ..217 212 156 There were 99" electors on the roll. THE NEW MEMBER. The successful candidate, Mr Urn, is a particularly well-known figure in Can. torbury. Ho is a descendant of the famous Tua Huriri, chief of the South Island Tribe of that name, and was bom at the Tuahiwi Pa, beyond Kaiapoi, on March. 26th, 1838. His birth was rather a romantic one. His third name, "Wharewiti, means "House of wheat," and is literally true, for it was while his mother and father were stocking in the fields that ho was born. The initial of this name is responsible for his lite-long nickname of "William," or m the contracted form, "Billy." Sir Uru received his earlier education in Tuahiwi and later went to To Ante College, whero he numbered Te llangihiroa (Dr. Buck), and the Hon. Mr Ngata amongst his schoolmates. On leaving school ho returned to Tuahiwi, and followed farming pursuits. Some eight years ago, he went to Wellington, and took charge of the Native Land Agency, and about two years ago hu and his two brothers entered into partnership in a similar venture in Auckland, which 13 Mr Uru's present home, though he now expresses his intention of returning to Christchurch, or Kaiapoi, to live. As a Tuahiwi resident, Mr Uru was for 15 years chairman of the local school committee. He has always taken a very keen interest in Maori affairs, and has been particularly well known as secretary of the Xgai-Tohu claim, a controversy regarding the Maori's heritage of the piece of land stretching from Kaiapoi to Mt. Grey, along the foot of the Alps to Purehurilra, and thence to the Eastern coast to Kumataia, and back to Kaiapoi. Tho land was bought by the New Zealand Company, and the deed of sale set out that when it was properly surveyed, the Maoris and their heirs should have their righteous claim. Mr Uru also took an active part as secretary of the "Conclave Parliament," when leading chiefs of both Islands, just after the coming to power of the Mnssey Government, met to formulate various amendments to the Native Amendin,ent Act of 1909, in tho way of consolidating Maori lands, etc. ; which amendments were duly submitted to Parliament. In short, Mr IJru has always tiiken a koon and active interest in the welfare of his Maori brethren. As an athlete, he is one of the best known men in New Zealand. In his younger days, he excelled as a heavy-weight wrestler, runner, jumper, tosser of the caber, in fact, practically every "branch of atliletics. At one meeting at Mnsterton seme years ago, he gained the unique distinction—a record —of winning every event for which he competed. He has represented Canterbury in both crickct and football, and his deeds as a. wing three-quarter are still fresh in the minds of followers of the game. 110 has also always been an enthusiastic volunteer. "When tho North Canterbury Mounted Rifles were formed under Captain Cossgrove, Mr Urn was appointed lieutenant, and later he assumed command of the corps. In he went Home to tho Diamond Jubilee celebrations in the special Maori Contingent. In 1901, he went in command of the Maori Contingent to Australia to the initial Commonwealth celebrations, and in 1902 he went to England again as second in command of the Coronation Contingent, to represent; New Zealand at the coronation of King Edward. Some years ago Mr Uru was married to Teriaki Tnuwhare, one of the highest born South Island ladies, who is descended, on her fathers 6iae, from tho kings of the Wai;:atos, and on her mother's side, from the former owners of Givvinonth. He h&3 two children, a i>oy and a girl. Mr Uru states that politically he is an absolute Independent. though at the present juncture, ho is in favour of the National Government. lie holds the view, however, that all Maoris should lie Independents, and no matter what the various parties may be. that they should look after their own interest--, at the same time doinrc their best :or the good of the country

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