SOUTHERN MAORI ELECTION

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 37

SOUTHERN MAORI ELECTION

GOVERNMENT CANDIDATE DEFEATED. February 22. The Southern Maori by-election resulted as under: — John Hopere Wharewiti Uru ". 242 Henare Parata 223 Teone Matapura Erihana (Ellison) ... 159 The polling at the general election in 1914 was:—C. R. Parata, 434; T. M. Ellison, 196; H. Rore, 162. MR URU'S ATTITUDE. CHRISTCHURCH, February 22. At Tualiiwi last night, Mr Uru, the successful candidate at the Southern Maori election, in thanking the electors for their support, said he would enter the House as an Independent Liberal, andl he hoped this fact would not deter Sir James Carroll from extending the hand of friendship and assistance. Sir. James Carroll predicted a general election in 12 months, and pleaded that Mr Uru should associate himself with the Liberal party. To this course, however, both Mr Uru and his supporters objected, Mr Uru stating that he had first to learn, whether it was from the Reform, Liberal, or Labour party that the Southern Maoris could expect the fairest treatment.

The successful candidate, Mr is a particularly well-known figure in Canterbury (says the Christchurch Press). He is a descendant of the Tua Huriri, chief of the South Island tribe of that name, and was born at the Tuahiwi Pa, beyond Kaiapoi, on March 26, 1868. His birth was a rather romantic one. His third name, Wharewiti, means "House of wheat," and is literally true, for it was while his mother and father were stooking in the fields that he was born. Mr tJra attended Te Aute College. He has- always taken a keen interest in Maori affairs. As an athlete he is one of the best-known men in New Zealand. In tinction of winning every event tor which he competed. He has represented Canterbury in both cricket and football, and his deeds as a wing three-quarter are still fresh in the minds of followers of the game. He has also always been an enthusiastic Volunteer. In 1897 he went Home to the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, in the special Maori Contingent. In 1901 he went in command of the Maori Contingent to Australia to the initial commonwealth celebrations, and in 1902 he went to England again as second in command of the Coronation Contingent, to represent New Zealand at the coronation of King Edward. Some_ years ago Mr Uru was married to Teriaki Tauwhare. one of the highest born South Island ladies, who is descended, on hexfather's side, from the kings of the Waikatos, and on her mother 6 side from the former owners of Groymouth. He has two children—a boy and a girl.