THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 291, 3 December 1908, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

A PURSE DECLINED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Taihape, Last Night. Mr. A. W. Smith, Independent Liberal candidate at the last election, has declined to accept a purse of sovereigns. Over two hundred pounds has been subscribed, and is being returned to subscribers. Mr. Smith is to be entertained at a banquet shortly, when probably, a presentation of a piece of plate will be made.

DUNEDIN NORTH RECOUNT. Dunedin, Last Night. Mr. ♦ii'clay has filed a petition fo a recount of the Dunedin Nor Cli vote, before a stipendiary magistrate.

AN I.NTERKSTI-VU POINT. (jisborne, Last Night. A unique -point has arisen in connection with the Maori election held today, The local publicans wove advisid that under section 115 of the Electoral Act they would be compelled to close their bars from noon, the -Milori election coming within the category of "any election" in that section. All the Gisliorne hotels, with one exception where the licensee was advised differently, have accordingly closed. It is pointed out that if this new reading of the law be correct the shops should close, but they have not done so. In the South Island, which is one -Maori electorate, the whole of the hotels would also be required to shut up their burs.

MAORI' ELECTIONS. Wellington, l/.ut Night. The results to luind of 1 li.- voting for Maori members of the ii of Representatives are a* follow*:- - Northern District.—Hon,- lleke 1182, Hare te Rnngi 333. Thirteen returns to come; cannot affect re.-nU. Eastern District. -• Apiraiiia Ngata 412(1, Tiki I'aaka 1481. Kiis'iCeen returns to come.; cannot affect t!::• re-'.lit. Southern District. Wlureati Uru 351, Tame Parata 350, Charles West 22. Two returns to coine. Western District. llenare Kailiau 1!>02, IVijiene Kketone 131)7, Te licuheu 1140, lleina te Ao 1088, Erura te Kaliu 430.

ill'. Remington, M.l\ for ltangitikei, who is at present in Wellington, when seen by a "Dominion" reporter, declined to say anything definite as to the position created by Mr. Hutchison's acceptance of his challenge to a contest for the Rangitikei seat as a means of taking the verdict of the electors on certain allegations. "In my own time," he said, "and in my own way, when I have given them rope enough, I will deal with the matter."