1958 Cook Islands general election
General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 13 October 1958,[1] the first under universal suffrage.
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Background
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
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
| Constituency | Member |
|---|---|
| General constituencies | Joe Browne |
| Urikore Commings | |
| Toka Mataio | |
| Ngatupuna Matepi | |
| Napa Tauei Napa | |
| Tihua Napara | |
| Dave Niovara | |
| Tuakeu Puna | |
| Vainerere Tangatapoto | |
| Ine Rutera | |
| Glassie Strickland | |
| Tangaroa Tangaroa | |
| Tama Tetava | |
| Willie Watson | |
| European constituency | Frank Bateson |
| 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: Pacific Islands Monthly | |
References
- Important Elections In The Cooks: A Scot Named Viri Vokotini Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1958, p31
- A Legislative Assembly Soon for Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1958, p139