NEW ELECTORATES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1206, 15 August 1911, Page 6

NEW ELECTORATES.

♦ ; NORTH ISLAND GAINS ONE SEAT. TAIERI DISAPPEARS. WELLINGTON SEATS ALTERED. -. J ' Tho proposals made by the Representation Commissioners for tho alteration of ' tho electoral | districts of tho Dominion I were contained in a special issue of tho ■ . Gazette published yesterday afternoon. A i new district named Raglan has been formi eel in tho Auckland province, the Taieri electorate has been absorbed by other disf tricks,-' and tho Tuapeka constituency lias '. been enlarged and renamed' Ota<*o 'Central. Having gained one seat, the North - Island will return. 12 members to the Itouso of Representatives at tho general election in December and the South Island ;.. will elect 31. - f ''.Tho quota..which formed tho basis of the I Commission's calculations was 15jlS0. The actual population of tho North Island was 5(13,729, comprising 278,216 urban and 285,513 suburban, and .for its purpose tho |. Commission calculated-, the'nominal popu- ; lation at 613,673; Iu tho case of the* South I Island tlie urban population wa5.210,499 aid the rural 233,i)78, a total of 441,477, from which the nominal population was , determined at 509,991. It is apparent from theso figures that tho North Island is ac- - tually entitled to a fraction of a inem- : ber more than it has received, whilo the South Island -has been, given rather more 1 i: than its dub share' of representation. Tho fractional surplus exceeded one-half in tho !• case 'of '.tho South Island, so that tho al- ; location of seats has enabled tho North i ; Island to 'repay the "loan" for which it has been indebted- to the South Island 1 ■ since the boundaries were revised in 1908. . Tho first copy of tlie 'special Gazetto , which was brought into Parliament was ; '• tlio possession of a newspaper representa- | ■ tive, and for an hour tho press gallery i. ..was crowded with members'of Parliament eager to gain information regarding tl»r- ---! , contents of tho. reports which have been ! awaited with so mutili anxiety since the session opened. The most striking feature of tho propos'»ls,made by the North.lslapd Commission !■ .is the extensive alteration of tho districts lying south of tho city of Auckland as far as Itangitikei. The creation of a new district has been tho principal factor in'".'producing these, changes, .but it is.the direct result of the rapid development which lias been maintained since the completion of tlio Main Trunk railway. ■ The representative of Taumarunui.may ; io longer claim the most extensive district in'the "North Island, for that distinction is now tho portion of tho Bay : of Plenty.' ' _■ ■ < • Under .the Legislature Act objactions to , 1 the 'proposals toay be made'up to . Sep- 1 1 tember 13, and all protests made in writ- / ing will bo considered >by tho Commissions sitting, in Wellington on tho afteri ■ noori of the following day. Though the . notions of previous Commissions may not ■ bo taken as a precedent, it i? interesting to note that only, one minor alteration van made in tho proposals of tho Commissions . which revised tho boundaries in J9DG. "■.. WELLINGTON CITY SEATS, • j . NORTH. Wellington North District comprises tho existing Wellington North Electoral District, and also that portion, of the City of Wellington lyiug to the west of (Elizabeth Street (AVadestown) \to its intersection , with tho main road, thence "■■lying south of the.' main, road to the "Kaiwarra Stream, thence by that:strcani to tho Cemetery Road, and by tho said f ,road to tlie existing.northern boundary, , 'of ;:the AVpllijigton '■ Central Electoral , District,', less that portion of the existing electoral district lying to , tlie west of . AVoolconibe . Street and north of Abel Smith -Street; ■ . ; ...■. !; - , .CENTRAL. ■ ' AVcllington Central District comprises r tho'existing "electoral district plus ; that--portimi of,- the- existing :.Wellington! 5 ' North . Electoral District lying to'tlio west of AVoolcomba Street' and north' of Abel Smith Street. -.To-this-district lias been added that portiom 'of -AVdlingtoii City lying to tho east of 'the existing AA rel- ; lington Central Electoral District ' and ; bounded ion tho north by Lambton Hnrbour.on tho enst by Clyde Quay and Kent Terrace, a-nkl. on • th« south, by Bucklo Street; also that portion lying to tlie south of-the present'AVellington Cen--1 tral Electoral District bounded towards the.east by Tasinan.Street, on the south by Tainui Street, and Sections 712, 711, ? a-nid:;7lo. Hniikey Street,' and ' Sections. 40 and. -12. EAST. Wellington East District comprises ' tho existing Electoral District off Wellington' East ]«ss that portion. of AVel- - lington City, bounded towards the north .by Lambton Harbour, towards tho east "by Clyde Quay and Kent Terrace, on tho . routh by Bucklo,■ Street, and on.the .west by the existing AVellin»ton Central Electoral District; and includes that portion- of. Wellington City bounded om the north by, tho existing Wellington East Electoral Disrict; on tho east and north by Evans Bay to the "Wellington. City boundary; towards the east by the saitl city boundary i towards the south by a road Tunning parallel to tho outfall to Tainui Terrace in Maranui township, and by the northern boundary of the said township to Newtown v Park; towards the west by tlie said Newtown Park and suburban sections 11 and 10 to . the existing electoral district of Wellington South; thence by the said electoral district and the existing electoral district of AVellington East. ! ■ SOUTH. . ■ Wellington South' district comprises the existing electoral district of AVellington South less that portion of tho city of Wellington lying south of tho existing Wellington ■ C'entinl electoral district bounded-towards tho east' by Tasman Street, towards the south by Tainui Terr race, sections 712, .711, and 710, Hankey Street, and sections 40 and 42; and. includes that portion of the city of Wellington in the existing' Wellington Suburbs Electoral District bounded towards tho .east by. tho township of Kilbirnie, towards the south generally by Newtown Park, Russell Terrace,' Lci'iuul Street, Adelaide Road, Chilka Street, Stanley Street, Britomart Street* the northern ; boundary of section 25, and the western boundary of section 26, to tho .existing Wellington South Electoral District. SUBURBS AND COUNTRY DISTRICT. . ■ This district comprises tho whole of tho Makara county; the.whole of the Horokiwi riding of Hntt county; that portion of the Epuni riding lying. to the west of the AVeUingtou-Napier railway from the Upper Hutt Totvn District and lying west of the boronghs of Lower 'Hutt and Petone; and all-'that portion ef the: city of . AVellington not absorbed by tho .electoral districts of AVellington North, Central, South and East. This district includes the boroughs of Onslow, ICarori, • and Miramar, and the Johnsonvillo Town District. HUTT. Hutt district comprises the wliole of tho AVainni-o-mata Riding; that portion of the Mungaroa Riding lying to • tie south of tlio main road over tho Rimutaka, tho Pakuratahi River, and cast of the Hutt River and the WellingtonNapier railway from the Upper Hutt Town District; alsi that portion of the Epuni Riding lying to the east of tho Wellington-Napier railway. This district includes the Boroughs of Lower Hutt, Pf.'tonc, and Eastbourne, the Upper Hutt Tow;: District, and Soames Island. ' WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL ELECTORATES. ■ OTAKI. . ■ The Otaki district will now take in | :i:;Uj'.v. Oroua Downs, and Taikorea, and will lose on- the other side tho country south of • Paekakariki. I'oxton is said to bo resentful of tho treatment meted out to it by the Minister for Railways in regard to its wharf. Oroua Downs and Taikorea are districts of small sottlers who are regarded as favourable to tho Opposition. Population, 12,157. PALMERSTON NORTH. Palmerston North will now tako in tlie whole of the Kairanga County and the district to tho east of Oroua, no to Bim-

nythorpe. Thence it goes back to the Kinges, and takes in the whole of I'ltzherbert. East. It also includes Lintou. Population, 14,19-1. MANAAVATU. .. i Mr. Newman's electorate loses Foxto'.i and its immediate district, and ruus northwards into the present Rangitikei electorate. It includes Rongotea, Sandon. Bulls, jVfartou> Ilunterville, phiugaiti, and Mangaweka. .Mr. JtcldrmiV, of Huntervillo, is understood to l>o tlie Government candidate, ljut Mr. Newman is also wellknown and popular in that part of tho constituency, and it is believed by his supporters that tho changes will not prejudice him. Population, 11.650. OROUA. The southern, eastern, and western boundaries of Mr. Guthrie's electorate are unchanged, but it extends northwards into Rangitikei, taking.in' Ruahiiie, Kawatnu, Omatane, Utiku, and the Pukeokahu country as far as Moawliango. . A residential aTca adjoining Ficldnig is left as beforo in Ma.nawntu. 'and the previous ctfort to get it added to Oroua will be renewed. Mr. Guthrie is pleased with the new additions to his territory. It is a country district, and lie reckons upon tho'support of tho settlers. RANGITIKEI. The Rangitikei electorate has been greatly changed, and is now one of the largest and most awkward to work. Tho boundary starts from the coast between the Wanganui and AA r angaohu Rivers, and runs m behind Manawatu in a N.E. direction to-Lake Taupo; thenoe westerly to Taumarunui' (which it includes) and so to the Stratford boundary. It takes in more sawmills than ever, a factor which .should tell in favour of the sitting member, Mr. K. W. Smith, who is himself a sawmiller. Population, 12,'255. ' > AVANGANUI. The Wanganui electorate loses Castleolift', St. John's Hill,-and other suburban areas, whicli are added to Patea. Eastown, Gonville, and Aramoho, as well as WaDganiii borough, are in.the constituency. .Air. Mackay's chances against Mr. Ho;an aro thought to be improved by the change, and his friends are confident. Population, 11,£60. ...... PAHIATUA. The southern boundary of Pahiatua has been shifted northwards to the Aohanga River. The electorate has nlso been extended northwards at tho expense of Wai : pawa, and now touches the Tukituki River. Population, 12,163. MASTERTON. The Masfcerton district now has a small sea frontage between the Aohanga and Mataikoua Rivers, but is otherwise unchanged. Population, 12,901. AA'AIRARAPA.

The boundaries nf tlie Wairarapa district are unchanged. Population, 11,563. THE TARANAKI SEATS, The alterations to tho four Taranaki constituencies are not. extensive, and are not expectcd to a,(fect the political fortunes of the sitting members, who aro' all adherents of tho Reform party. Mr. Pearce is considered to bo a little prejudiced by the inclusion of Castleclifi in Patea. Mr. Hine (Stratford) loses Inglewood, which goes into Mr Okey's constituency. This change had been prophesied by the Ministerialists at Stratford. Mr. Hine, however, gains in tho country from Egmont and Patea. His district is now a large one, and will -necessitate a lot of arduous travelling. in tlio election campaign. By tho inclusion of _ Inglewood, Mr. Okey's seat "has been made safer than 'ever. - GISBORNE. Gisborne has lost its eastern half to Hawke's Bay, from which it is now divided by the Wairoa River. Population, 14,023. THE HAWKE'S BAY PROVINCE. Hawko's Bav now extends from the Wairoa River "to the Ngaruoro River, and includes Hastings and Havolock. It has lost a largo area of back country to Rangitikei. Population, 13,387. . NAPIER. ' . Tho Napier electorato includes Napier Borough, and Taradalo bewn district. Meanee, Greenmeadows, and most of Clive are within this electorate. Population, 14,1)56." WAIPAAYA. AYaipawa district: comprises the whole of the AVaipawa County: tho whole of the Errhwon and Maraekakaho Ridings of Ilawke's Bay. County; parts of._HoTetaunga and Havelock Ridings not already included in Hawke's ;Bay Electoral- District hereinbefore described; and that portion of. Clive Riding lying to the south of the northern boundary of the Kidnapper Survey District; the whole of the Patangata Riding of Piitangata County; the whole of Norsewood Riding of Dannevirkc County; that poTtion of the Ma-, ngatoro Riding lying to the north of the Manawatu River; that portion of tho Orriiondvillo Riding lying to tho northwest of tho Atanawatu River; that portion of the Dannovirke Riding bounded on tho north by tho Borough of Dannevirko, PU the east by the Mangatoro Ridin". on file south by the Manaivatu River, and on the west by tho main road. This district includes the Boroughs of Daunevirke, and AVaipawa, and the town district? of Otano, Waipulnn'du, Norsewood, and Ormondrilie. . NORTHERN SEATS. AUCKLAND CITY. The principal alterations in the Auckland City seats are that Grey Lynn, Parnell, and Alanukau have received additions from the Edcin district. Grey Lynn has lost a portion to Auckland East, and tho latter gives to. Auckland Central a rather densely-built urban area. FRANKLIN. Drastic alterations have been made in tho boundaries of tlw Franklin electorate, which now might very reasonably be described as a suburban, and country district. It lias drawn very heavily .on Jlaiiukau. Pukekohe, which was generally regarded as the centre of the district represented by tho LcadcT of the Opposition, is now in the new district of Raglan. The boundaries of Franklin surround the suburban districts of Ilowick, Panmure, a portion of Ofahuhu, and Papatoetoe. Ma»igore, which has the distinction of being' Jlr.- Massey's home, is now in his electorate, and he also retains Mcrcer, close to his southern boundary. Population, 12,277. RAGLAN. Tho new district of Raglan bas been constructed by the Aggregation of the southern part of Franklin, .pud the greater part of the former AVaikato electorate. It runs on the west from the AVaikato River to Aotea Ilarbour. The eastern boundary of Raglan follows the AVaikato River as far south as Tanpin, taking in Huntly, and defines a triangular ar»a, skirting Cambridge and Hamilton, oji the east side of the river. It finally takes an irreguhr course to the coast at Aotea, by way of the. AAaipa River and tho old Waikato-Frankh'n dividing' line. In addition to Huntly and Pukekohe, tho town district of Ngaruawahia and Raglan are included in this district. Population, 11,813. TimlEf , The portion of the Ohinemuri electorate on tho west of the Thames River hai been moved into Mr. E. It. laj'lor s district, which has also gained AVhanga•narino and Huntly Riding of AVaikato County. Population, 12.5510. OHINEMURI. Never a very largo district, Ohinemuri is now even smaller, but it has been extended towards tho south as far as the northern shoro of Tauranga Harbour, embracing .the Borough of To Aroha. One effect of this alteration will be that tho well-known tourist resort mil lose its licenses, unless Ohinemuri carries "restoration." Population, 13,622. TAURANGA. The area of tho Tauranga district has boon great.lv rcduccd, tho most striking feature of "tho alterations being that whilo it has lost. To Aroha and Cambridge, Mr. nerries's electorate now includes Ilotorua. Population, 12,126. AVAIKATO. The new district of AVaikato has littlo in common with tho electorate now represented by Mr. Qreenslado, It still retains

Hamilton and Frankton, and has regained Cambridge, and with thai: borough a largo tract of country running to a point on Lake Taupo, which was formerly in the Tauranga electorate. It has also regained Kawhia as the southern boundary now runs from Kakepuku to Kawhia Ilarlxmv, which it encircles. Popu-, latiou, 13,013. BAY OF PLENTY. The chief alteration in the Bay of Plenty electorate is that it has conceded a portion the TWonni County, and the tourist resort to Tauranfja. Population, ll,G8(i. l iii.* i> now tlio largest electorate in the North Island. TAUMARUNUI. tChe exceptionally rapid development of the district, represented by Mr. Jennings has been reflected in a proportionate reduction of its area? Tho southern boundary has now been moved about 50 miles north, and is now identical with the Wanganui River, to its junction with the Patea electorate. Population, 12,216. SOUTH ISLAND SEATS. THE PRINCIPAL CHANGES. The manner in which the present Tuapeka electorate has been reconstructed has excited a deal of comment. It has been renamed Otago Central, and there will probably be a protest against tlie selection of this, title. Portions of the district have been moved into Oamarit and AVakatipu, but the boundaries have -been extended southwards to within a few miles of the sea. The subdivision displays a complete disregard of the community of interest as the gold-mining interests of Central Otago are different from those of the coast, and Henley should be in Bruce, instead of in tho renamed district, while the converse applies to Lawrence. The surrounding electorates have completely absorbed the Taieri electorate, and for the third time in his political career the Hon. T. Mackenzie has been deprived of his political home. The new Chalmers electorate is a peculiar district almost surrounding Dun-e-dill. ' It includes tlia township of Mosgiel'and part of Taieri county. The position of Mr. Praser, the Opposition member for AVakatipu, appears to have been strengthened by the addition to his electorate of a portion of the district for which Mr. Anderson is tho present member. The alteration will not materially affect Mr. Anderson politically. The Oamaru district has been greatly widened, and one effect of the alteration is that three hotels may lose their licenses.The first lieutenant of,the Opposition is delighted with the change in the boundaries of his electorate. His former constituency has been restored to him, vnfh two small areas. The electoral districts forming Dunedin city and suburbs have been greatly altered without regard, it is stated, to the community., of interest. Only minor alterations have been.made in the Christchurch districts. Kiccarton, Lyttelton, and Christchurch East are afl'ectcd more than the other electorates in midC'anterbury. Christchurch North shares with Wairarapa and Auckland AVcst tlie distinction of retaining the boundaries defined in 1906 without alteration.

OTAGO CENTRAL. Mr. Scott, who now represents Tuapeka, will have to faco a considerable alteration in his constituency, which has now been named Otago Central. He loses Green Valley, Macraes, Earnsclcugh Flat, Moonlight, and Clyde. Macraes and Moonlight are now in the Oamaiu electorate, while Earnscleugh and Clyde have been added to Wakatipu. The boundaries have been extended southward to take in Hyde, Middlemarch, Sutton, Clarke, Outran), Maungatua, and Henley. This brings Otago Central down to within a few miles of the sea—a peculiar subdivision, and on© showing a complete disregard of community of interest. The gold-mining interests of Central Otago a're different from those of the coast. Henley should be put into Bruce, whereas Lawrenco should be in Central Otago. The opposib has been dccided upon. There will probably, be a protest against calling this Otago Central. MATAURA. In the Mataura electorate, the eastern and western boundaVi-js aro practically the same. Taking the northern boundary and starting from a point between the G'lutha and Wakatipu boundary, the Mataura boundary runs on tho old lino to tho top of the Cliatton Hills south to a point where it intersects the Gorc-Wai-kaka Road. It then runs west, crossing the Mataura River about a milo north of the borough boundary, and runs almost due west. This cuts out Chatton, Knapdale, Otamita, and Croydon, these districts being added to Wakatipu. This will strengthen the position'of .Mr. FraseT, the member for Wakatipu, into whose district these places will go, while it will not materially alter Jit. Anderson s chances. Tho rest of the electorate is practically the samo as before. Mr. Anderson, asked what he thought of the alterations, said he was quite.satisfied with them.

OAMARU. Mr. Duncan's . electorato_ wears, quite a new appearance. It goes into the Otago Central northward, beyond and including Macraes, and goes south beyond Blueskin, including Palmerston, Waikouaiti, and Blueskin. ,Mr. Duncan complains that the commissioners have not studied community. of interest at all. The. change will, of course, give, him a much wider field to cover, which is not. a pleasant thing to contemplate in a man of his years. If Mi'. Duncan stood for Waitaki he could undoubtedly win against Sir William Steward, but he is not inclined to do that. By. the alteration in this electorate the Beaumont, Macraes, and Griffin's Hotels may lose their licenses. BRUCE. Mr. James Allen is delighted with the change in the boundaries of his electorate He has got all his old constituency back, including Taieri Br.idge, Waihola, Berwick, and Clydesdale. Lawrence is still'in the constituency. . . DUNEDIN SOUTH. The Dunedin and adjoining electorates are much altered. Mr. Sidey's seat hns bceu much cut about, and in a mannor different from what was anticipated. The ell'ect appears to be to cut Caversham in two by the. Main South Road/ also to cut oat his own residence m which he lias been living for the past two }cars 01- so. The bulk of the constituency ou tho flat is retained, but how far Kensington fares cannot be stated accurately without the city electorate maps, which are not vet available. Part of the iaicri county has been included, and thero is a want of community of interest. DUNEDIN CENTRAL. There are considerable changes here. Portion of Mr. Sidey's electorate on the Mornington sidp of the Mam South Road has been included, as has also been Green Island. CHRISTCHURCH EAST. Mr. Davey's constituency now takes in the southern part of Mr. Laurenson's and Mr Ell's electorates down to Opiiwa, opposite the Roimata. Settlement. It also touches the Hcatlicoto River, via Eusors Road. CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH. Christchurch South (Mr. Ell's constituency) extends well into Sproydon and Beckeiihaui. 1 CHRISTCHURCH NORTH. This electorate has suffered least of all in the South Island. Tho boundaries are practically unaltered. AVON. Mr. Russell says tho change made in the Avon electorate'is comparatively small. The Marshland district has been taken out, and this he very much regrets, as it is purely a farming district, and the relations between tho people thero and himself were of a most cordial character. A. small portion of Richmond district has been taken from Christchurch East and added to Avon. He is quite satisfied with the boundaries of the new electorate. Generally speaking, he thinks the alterations will go in the direction of strengthening Mr. Buddo's position. THE WEST COAST. There are considerable alterations on tho West Coast of tho South Island. Sir Arthur Guinness has lost tho whole of the Grey Countv to the south of tho Grey River, and 'the half of Brunnerton Riding lying to tlie south of the Grey River. Ho loses Blaekwater Keel's up to Waiuta, tho, whole of which lias gono into Mr. Seddon's electorate, which will, it is said, fnvour Mr. chancre. Mr. Colvins cicctor•\te loses 'orae 300 or 100 votes in the Reeftoa. Eidioe. ?rh«sc go into Sii; Arthur

Ciuinness's constituency. The latter is made moro compact bv' the changes. NELSON. Nelson comes eastward to Queen Charlotto Sound, taking territory from Wai-.l-au. Otherwise theie two districts aud Motueka are but little changed. MR. MASSEY'S ELECTORATE. "ALTERED OUT OF RECOGNITION." (By TeJeKraDh.-.SDecial Correspondent.) Pahia'ua, August 14. Mr. Massey has, as yet, seen only a brief summary of the boundaries report, aud, therefore, Is not, in a position to deal in any detail with the subject. "I expected all along," he remarked to-day, "'that Franklin would bo altered out of all recognition, but I certainly never expected flint l'ukekohe, the political centro of my electorate, would be transferred to Raglan." Mr. Massey stated that he could not say anything definite as to his clioico of an' electorate at next election until he had seen the full text of the boundaries report. PROTEST FROM FEILDING (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Feilding, August 14. The Feilding Chamber of Commerce tonight decided to strongly protest against the hew'electoral lxiundaries. The chamber points out that residents of the town whose whole business interests are in Feilding, but who live in the western side half a mile from the Post Office, are cut out of the Oroua electorate, and put into Manawatu,' where they have no interests.