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1876. NEW ZEALAND.

EASTERN MAORI ELECTION COMMITTEE, (REPORTS OF THE, TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.)

Reports brought up on Mh and 28th July, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. (Extraels from the Journals of the House of Representatives.) Friday, the 30th bat of June, 1876. Ordered That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into and report as to tho whole circumstances connected with the late election of a member for the Eastern Maori Electoral District. The Committee to consist of the Hon. Sir D. McLean, Mr. D. Reid, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Lumsden, Mr. Williams, Mr. lole, Mr. Bastings, Mr. W. Wood, Mr. Hunter, and tho Mover. Such Committee to have power to call for persons and papers, and to report within one week; five to be a quorum. — (Mr. Macandrew.) Tuesday, the 4th day or July, 1876. Ordered, That the Interim Report received by the House from tbe Eastern Maori Election Committee be referred back to tbe Committee, to report whether any persons have been prevented from voting in the late election; and, if so, whether the number (if any) so prevented would have altered the votes given at the polling-places where the votes were taken. The Committee to report in one week.— (Mr. Stout.) Tuesday, the 25th day op July, 1876. Ordered, That the Petition of Henare Tomoana and others be referred to the Eastern Maori Election Committee. — (Mr. Sryce.)

INTERIM REPORT. The Select Committee appointed to inquire and report as to the whole circumstances connected with the late election of a member for the Eastern Maori Electoral District have the honor to report that they have agreed to the following resolutions :— 1. That this Committee is of opinion that, as no member has been returned for the Eastern Maori Electoral District, a fresh writ should be immediately issued, and an election held without delay. 2. That the Chairman make an Interim Report this day, and apply to the House for further time to make a final report. Oswald Curtis, Dated 4th July, 1876. Chairman.

REPORT. The Select Committee on the Eastern Maori Election, to whom was referred hack their Interim Report dated July 4th, to report whether any persons have been prevented from voting in the late election, and, if so, whether the number (if any) so prevented would have altered the votes given at the polling-places where the votes were taken, have the honor to report as follows : — 1. That this Committee, having considered the evidence produced before them, believe that Karaitiana Takamoana has been duly elected, and therefore recommend that he be allowed to take his seat in the House as the duly-elected member thereof for the Eastern Maori Electoral District. 2. That it appears that, owing to the polling-booth at Kawakawa not having been opened on the day of the poll, some of the electors have been prevented from voting; but, owing to the conflicting nature of the evidence, it is impossible to determine with certainty whether the result would have been altered : your Committee, however, are of opinion that it would not. The evidence taken before the Committee is appended to this Report. Oswald Curtis, Dated 28th July, 1876. Chairman. I.—J. 5.