MAORI ELECTION: WESTERN DISTRICT.

The election for a member for the Western Maori Electoral District took place on Saturday last. Mr Hopkins Clarke and Enoka acted as Returning Officers, and the polling was taken at the Native Court house, in the Government Buildings. The Western Maori Electoral District comprises "so much of the North Island of New Zealand as shall be south of the southern boundary of the Northern Maori Electoral District ; being bounded on the east by a line commencing at Wairakei, a stream in the Bay of Plenty ; thence by a line running southward along the boundary of the Arawa tribal territory to the summit of Titiraupunga; thence to the nearest part of Lake Taupo ; thence to the middle of that lake and the Upper Waikato River to its source ; thence by a direct line to the summit of the Euahine range of mountains ; thence by a line following to the watershed to Turakiru, a point in Cook's Straits." A large number of j natives congregated in Tauranga to record their votes, the town being kept alive all day by the excitement resulting from their presence. The weather was unfortunately wet, howi ever, as had it been otherwise we be--1 lieve the occasion would have been taken advantage of by the natives to hold a thorough gala day. There were three candidates in the field, in \ whoso favor the voting in Tauranga resulted as follows : — Hoani Nahe - - 116 Wi Parata- - - 1 Meiha Keepa - 0 Hoani Nahe is a candidate from the Thames, the other two belonging to the West Coast, where in their own district and among their own people they will doubtless obtain the majority of votes. The contest is expected to be a close one.