MAORI ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 702, 23 December 1902, Page 2

MAORI ELECTIONS.

Throughout the district yesterday considerable interest was taken in the Maori election for the return of a member of_the House of Representatives for the East Coast electorate. Polling commenced at ij o’clock. Mr John Brooking, returning officer, was in charge of the main booth, which was located at the Magistrate’s Courthouse, Gisborne. Mr W. owanson was poll clerk. Tho candidates were Wi Pere (sitting member), Mataiawhea, and Mold To Atahikora. Polling was on tho open voting system, and notwithstanding the many questions which have to be put to each person claiming privilege of exercising his or her vote, the business was transacted at the Gisborne (main) booth with the utmost despatch. At 3 p.w. 10b voters had recorded their views, and at 4 o’clock, whon the poll closed, the number had reached 117. Although there are a great many returns to come in, it is not expected that the present member, Mr \V i i J ere, will be unseated. Several large returns yet to como should almost be a block'vote in Wi Pero’s favor, whilst tho Bay of Plenty polling booths are likely to bo more in favor of Pirini Mataiawhea than in that of Mohi Tc Atahikoia. So far returns have como in from 47 booths out of 85, 'whilst 3789 votes have been recorded out of a total of 75UU on tho roll. At eleven o’clock lust evening the following was the state of the poll : Wi Pere IdoO Mohi Tc Atahikoia ... 1217 Pirimi Mataiawhea ... 1022 Total Voted 3789 ! ME PXli AT A HETUBNED.

(Per Press Association.) Christchurch, last night. Mr Parata has been returned for tho Southern Maori Electorate by 322 votes over 2-30 poked by Ttkao. There aro two small returns to come, but this will not affect the result. NORTHERN ELECTORATE. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, last night. The following particulars of polling for the Northern Maori Electorate have reached here :—Ngawha polling place, IToue Heke G-l, Kipa Wf atanui 4 ; Mongonui, Hone Hoko 34 ; Russell and lvawakawa, Hone Ilei.c 81, Whatauui 51, Mangakaliia 30.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston North, last night. Tho following is tho polling at Oroua Bridge for the Western Maori district : Eruera To Kahu 18, Ngarangi Katitia 23, To Ono Techi 2, Henaro lvaihau 0, To Weraroa 0, Te Houheu 0.