1958 Cook Islands general election

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 13 October 1958,[1] the first under universal suffrage.

Background

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Following the recommendations of the 1955 Belshaw-Stace Report, the 23-member Legislative Council was replaced by a 27-member Legislative Assembly.[2][1]

Of the 27 members, 15 were directly elected; 14 from ten general constituencies and one from a European voter constituency.[2] Seven members were indirectly elected by Island Councils (four from Rarotonga and one from Aitutaki, Atiu and Mangaia).[2] The remaining five members were officials, including the Resident Commissioner as President of the Assembly, the Administration Secretary, the Treasurer and two members appointed by the Resident Commissioner.[2]

Campaign

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A total of 65 candidates contested the directly elected seats, including former Legislative Council member Willie Watson, who ran under the name Viri Vokotini in one of the general constituencies.[1]

Frank Bateson and former Chief Judge Alfred McCarthy contested the European seat.[1]

Results

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Constituency Candidate Votes
Aitutaki Tuakeu Puna 545
Urikore Cummings 340
Kiikoro Kaoki 202
Tere Kainuku 186
Rave Pitomaki 129
Ruatangi Daniela 85
Rima Tamatoa 77
Ponoua Raki 48
Atiu Vainerere Tangatapoto 141
Ngamaru Ariki 70
Mana Ariki 51
Nono Tearapo 46
Tangata Poto 41
Michael Toki 34
Mangaia Ngatupuna Matepi 408
Maarateina Atatoa 267
Edwin Gold 17
Puati Ngatama 11
Manihiki Tihau Napara 56
Adamu Toka 51
Ben Ellis Jr. 47
Tekake William 45
John Dean 20
Apii Karaponga 11
Mauke Dave Niovara 108
Julian Dashwood 107
Tangata Taia 26
Auru Tairea 20
Temana Ngatama 14
Aitu Rairi 9
Mitiaro Tama Tetava 71
Taia 27
Penrhyn Tangaroa Tangaroa 238
Parekaa Tereora 48
Tiavare Tini Josepha 26
Tinirau Tata 15
Nikau Mita 8
Mahutapiki Pange 8
Pukapuka Ine Rutera 138
Arona Tariau 77
Paata Eliu 69
Henry Winau 63
Taumaina Utarenga 28
Rakahanga Toka Mataio 37
Umutai George Greig 32
Ngametua 16
Tupou Piho 6
Rarotonga William Hugh Watson 1,628
Glassie Strickland 723
Tamarua Joseph Browne 620
Napa Tauei Napa 548
Teariki Tuavera 496
Frederick Aratiri Rennie 473
Manea Tamarua 434
Apenera Short 418
Tui Pori Makea 376
Ngaeikura Tou 367
Ernest Taripo 339
Naea Teariki Maurangi 318
Teariki Puia 220
Pu Tamaiva 190
Tita Enoka Anautoa 112
European Frank Bateson 94
Alfred McCarthy 59
Aitutaki Island Council Kau Mapu
Atiu Island Council Teariki Vaine
Mangaia Island Council Pokino Aberahama
Rarotonga Island Council Makea Nui Teremoana Ariki
Margaret Makea Karika Ariki
Dick Charles Brown
Areora Ira
Source:[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Important Elections In The Cooks: A Scot Named Viri Vokotini Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1958, p31
  2. ^ a b c d A Legislative Assembly Soon for Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1958, p139
  3. ^ "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 2/1958". Library of Congress. 30 October 1958.
  4. ^ Pacific Islands Monthly