THE NEW ELECTORATES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3006, 20 October 1891, Page 2

THE NEW ELECTORATES.

There was quite a hubbub amongst the politicians of Cambridge on Thursday last when they perused the Waikato Timks of that date, and found their borough had been cut off from the Piako County by the Representation Commissioners and been tacked on to Waikato again in the redistribution of electorates; and the announcement that " the Commissioners will meet again on the 16th to hear objections," as the telegram from Wellington stated, did not tend to smooth matters. As the matter greatly affected tho Piako County, Air Chas. Tuck, the clerk of the County Council, wired to Wellington to know if the date as quoted in tho paper was correct; and on fi'riday he received a reply from the Co. lonial Secretary stating the date for receiving objections was tho 16th November; and further, that plans of the new electorates would at once be furnished to all public bodies.

On Saturday the Mayor and Town Clerk, the Chairman (Mr Chepmell), and clerk of the Piako County Council and Mr T. Wells met and discussed what steps should be taken to object to the change made hy the Representation Commissioners. They were all of tho opinion that it was absurd for the Piako County to be in the Waipa electorate, and that the greater portion of the Raglan County should be in Waikato, It was pointed out that Cambridge is intimately connected and in daily communication with the Piako County, from which it is taken ; while on the other hand it is in no way connected with, nor has any communication with Raglan County, tn which it is attached. Mr Chepmell thought it in direct contravention to the spirit of the Act, which, if ha remembered aright, said the configuration of existing counties was not to be interfered with more than necessars 1 , due regard being paid to the interests of the population. Section 2, sub-section 15, of " The Representation Act Amendment, ISS9," enacts amongst other things, the following instructions to the Commissioners in forming tho several districts: "Duo consideration shall be given to the present boundaries of electoral districts, tocommnnity of interests, facilities of communication, and typographical features." After considerable discussion it was decided that tho Mayor (Mr Priestley), should communicate with thn County and Borough authorities affected by the change, and when he had received replies, he should call a public meeting to determine what action shall be taken. In the meantime Mr Wells undertook to interview Colonel Haultain, the Chairman of the Commissioners, and endeavour to giin his interest in the matter. It was thought a change acceptable to all concerned might be made somewhat on the following lines, which would not affect other electorates: Waikato electorate to consist of the Counties of Waikato, Piako, and part of Manukau. Waipa electorate to contain tho Counties of Waipa, Raglan, East and West Taupo and parts of Kawhia and Manukau. The town districts and boroughs within the counties go with them. This would leave tho electorates of Waikato and Waipa pretty much as they were before tho last redistribution.