The initial 24 New Zealand electorates were defined by Governor George Grey in March 1853.
[2] It bordered onto the Taranaki electorate Grey and Bell, and the 39th parallel south formed the boundary with the Wellington Province, where all land immediately south of this land was not incorporated into any electorate until 1858.
Three candidates were nominated, and the show of hands was declared to be in favour of Major Gray and Captain Powditch.
Charles John Taylor demanded a poll, which was held one week later on Tuesday, 23 August 1853.
[5] Taylor received the highest number of votes, Gray came a close second, and Powditch as the third placed candidate was not elected.