The Maori Election.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8617, 22 December 1896, Page 2

The Maori Election.

(Per Press Association.) Gisborxe, December 21. further returns in connection with the Maori elections are Easter Maori: Wi Pere 2336, Tare Mete 1017, Taraki 179, faetahi 702, Nopera 64, Eleven returns to come. Wellington', Decembor 21. Northern Maori: So far Hone Heke has polled 1333 and Ktipa 372. The few returns to come are expected to increase Heke's majority, The election of four Maori members of the House are conducted on the old plan, and without any secrecy whatever. The nominations were made in a public meeting, at which, after the Returning Officor read the writ, the candidates were proposed and seconded, and a show of hands was taken and a poll demanded, The voting is conducted by tho native electors entering one by one the polling booth, where they present their voting papers as evidence of registration, and when requested by the Returning Officer each states the name of the candidate for whom the elector intends to vote and his own npine, The Returning Officer or deputy then writes the name of the candidate on the voting paper and signs it, and passes it to a Maori associate, who certifies to it as a witness. The natives in some parts of the Colony are agitating for the ballot system,