H.—4B

2

With regard to certain alterations of names of electorates in the North Island, they have been made so as to better indicate the localities of the electorates, and the same consideration has led to the adoption of the names of the new electorates. The only effect that the alterations have made in respect of " wet " and "dry " districts is that it has been found necessary to include in " dry " districts two small hotels- —one the White House at Kunieu Junction, and the other the Waihou Hotel, which has been taken into the Ohinemuri Electorate. South Island. , , Owing to deorease in population the existing electorates have been reduced from thirty-four to thirty-one —viz., M'otueka, Selwyn, and Otago Central. Portion of these have been absorbed by Grey, Buller, Nelson, Wairau, Ellesmere, Ashburton, Chalmers, Oamaru, Wakatipu, and Waitaki Electorates. A new district, proposed to be called " Tuapeka," has been formed out of the existing electorate of Bruce and part of Otago Central. Aw the preponderance of population in the proposed new electorate is now in. a dry area, this will have the effect of turning "dry" a large proportion of the "wet" area of Taieri and a small portion of the Tuapeka County, apparently necessitating the closing of several licensed houses at the next election. The name " Tuapeka " was adopted as suiting a large part of the proposed electorate and on account of the numerous objections to the name being eliminated by the last Representation Commission. The new Ashburton Electorate will apparently eliminate one licensed house at Chertsey.

Approximate Coat o) Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (650 coplc*), £1 ss.

By Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government f rinter, Wellington.—lBl7.

Price 3d.]