THE ELECTIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 301, 18 December 1914, Page 2

THE ELECTIONS.

NORTHERN MAORI SEAT. Pek Press Association. Auckland, December 17. An interesting despatcli has been received from the Herald’s Kawakawa correspondent with reference to the attitude of Tan Henare, political representative of the Northern Maori district, concerning whom there are many inquiries. During the last few Tau Henare has received great numbers of letters and telegrams from men in prominent places, but he has declined to make any definite announcement. Several Taiama chiefs assert that they supported Tau because they believed he would support Sir Joseph Ward, and they now demand that he declare himself within a week. Other influential natives have telegraphed to Tan, suggesting a conference of eight tribal representatives, to decide what party he will support, but Tan only replied, “Call to your mind the saying of our ancestors, ‘lf the karaka berry is eaten too soon, it makes one drunk.’ ” Several Whangarei gentlemen telegraphed Tau, asking whether he supported Air Massey or Sir Joseph Ward. He replied, with all courtesy, that he would allow them two guesses.

A movement is on foot to present a petition against the election of Tau, on the ground that at several places there were no European returning officers, and that at one place the booth was not even open.

The correspondent, after remarking that this morning Tau Henare was deluged with correspondence, and, hearing a rumor that the Opposition organiser was in the district, Had left on a visit to the bush in the back-blocks, proceeds: “In the course of an interview with the Herald correspondent, Tau said that he was not pledged to either party, but his general inclination was to support the present Government on a want-of-coufidence motion. He would not be a party man. He would represent the Northern Maoris, many of whom were on either jdde. He was not a plaything, to be bound to Mr Massey’s pocket, or to Sir Joseph Ward’s pocket, and he was not a dog to respond to the crack of the party whip.”

DR. McNAB OVATIONED. Hastings, December 17. Dr. McNab received an ovation from his supporters upon his arrival from Wellington this evening. A crowd of admirers took the horses from the carriage awaiting him, and,'amid great cheering, the vehicle in which Dr. McNab was seated was pulled through the town. From the balcony of his old committee r00m.., he delivered a tactful and generous speech. He could not say whether there would be another election or not, but ho felt confident that when Parliament met the loaders would-be able-to a condition of things that would enable the business of the country to be carried on. He emphasised that administration could not bo continued by any party that had not the confidence of the country. The Returning Officer is -still busy with the roll, apparently satisfying himself that everything is in order. When seen late this evening he stated that he had no information for the Press, further than that he, had to make his official declaration on Saturday.

FURTHER RECOUNTS. Duuediu, December 17. Mr Statham has applied for a magisterial recount for Dunedin Central. Wellington, December 17. Mr McLaren has lodged an application for a magisterial re-count of the votes polled in the Wellington East election. Wellington, December 18. The Magistrate has ordered a recount of the Wellington East election to take place on Tuesday morning. FINAL FIGURES. Blenheim, December 17. The final figures of the Wairau seat gives: McCallum 3517 votes, Duncan 3148, Turner 25, and 109 informal. Oamaru, December 17. The final figures for the Oamaru seat are :—Lee 3408, MacPherson 3070, informal 99. Timaru, December 17. The official figures are:—Craigie 1308, Smith 3198, informal 86. Licensing.—Continuance 3988, Nolicense 3407. POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE. Dunedin, December 17. A meeting of supporters of the “Reform’ ’ Party in Dunedin and Port Chalmers was held to-night, when it was decided to form a branch of the Political Reform League. THE TAUMARUNUI SEAT. The final recount of votes for the above electorate was made on 'Wednesday, the result giving Mr Jennings a majority of 198. The scrutiny prior to the inclusion of expeditionary and absentee votes showed Mr Jennings 3828, Shortland 32, Wilson 3686, thus giving Mr Jennings a lead of 142, which was six less than the last result telegraphed. Of the absent voters, Mr Jennings received 25, Mr Shortland 1, Mr Wilson 10. The expedition, aryy force gave Jennings 136, Shortland 2, Wilson 95, thus giving Mr Jennings a majority of 198. The result was received with delight by Mr Jennings’ numerous friends, and during the past few days ho has received over 300 congratulatory wires. Mr Jennings left for home yesterday morning overland, and expects to reach A\aitara on Saturday afternoon and proceed homo by the mail train.

NOTES.

Apart from party (remarks an exchange), Mr Tau Henare, the new member for the Northern Maori district, will be an acquisition to the House of Representatives from at least one point of view, if reports from the Far North speak truly. He is said to he the Adonis of the brotvn population in the Ngapuhi country.. When candidates were being selected by the central tribal committee of the Bay of Islands and kindred tribes, lan Henare would have been distinctly out of it had it not been for the ladies. They attended in force to push the claims of their hero, and when another candidate was proposed for nomination the wahines bluntly informed the assembled elders that they would have none of him, none in fact but Henare, who was not onjy a good speaker, hut the handsomest man in all the , north. “Look at him!” the spokeswoman cried, “isn’t he a beauty? That’s onr man for Parliament,’ or words of similar purport, and the modest Henare'was brought forward for admiration. The puzzled chiefs confronted by the threat of a petticoat block vote for Henare. adjourned the meeting to think it out. The end of it was that the women had their way, and Henare received the nomination and the votes of the strongest faction in the Bay of Islands district.