THE BAY OF ISLANDS ELECTORAL ROLL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1663, 19 June 1879, Page 3

THE BAY OF ISLANDS ELECTORAL ROLL.

WELLINGTON, June 18. Mr Bryce's report upon the Bay of Islands roll-stuffing charges is published in a " Gazette" supplement issued this afternoon. Tho report occupies four pages closely printed, but the gißt is contained in the following recapitulation of tho detailed statement of the factß, which comprises the greater portion of the report:— " I think then that Mr John Lundon has for years past deliberately endeavored to place persons on tho electoral roll for tho Manganui and Bay of Islands district with the view of rendering it more favorable to himself, and without caring Buch persons were qualified or aot. It is my opinion that, of 373 claims, which ho caused to be preferred in 1878, four-fifths had no legal qualification, and that of the remaining fifth many were vicious and invalid by reason of the mode in which the claims were prepared. I think that tho late Registration Officer, Mr Williams, permitted, perhaps unconsciously, his political sympathies and dislikes to influence him in the discbarge of his official duties as Registration Officer, that he made his objections on insufficient information, and thus became an instrument to forward the objects of a local party or faction. I think that both of Mr Lawlor's celebrated, or notorious, decisions were unsound in law, and that his capacity is not equal to the performance of the duties of revising officer in a district where difficult questions may arise. I think that Mr Baker, the new registration officer at Russell, is altogether unfit for that position. I think that the conduct of tho Government in removing Mr Williams from the position of registration officer at bo unfortunate a time was inconsiderate, injudicious, and objectionable, but I do not believe that the Government, or any member of it, had any intention by that means of preventing due enquiry into tho merits or demerits of the claims objected to by Mr Williams. It will probably be observed that scarcely any one concerned seems to come well out of this enquiry, and this circumstance has occurred forcibly to my own mind. In further illustration of this curious feature of the case, I would direct attention to a circular which was produced in evidence by Mr John Lundon, and will be found in his evidence. Thia circular unmistakably advises the packing of the electoral roll for a special purpose in as gross a manner, as regards the qualifications, as ever was attempted by Mr Lundon : yet it has come to my knowledge that it has been accepted without demur, and acted on with avidity by gentlemen of the antiLundon faction, who are loud in their condemnation of the tactics pursued by their opponents. It has produced a singular effect on my mind to see that these gentlemen have a high sense of their own honor, and would feel greatly pained to find it impugned ; yet it ib evident that in their minds the packing of the roll may be right or wrong, accordingly as it serves or obstructs a special purpose of party prejudice. If, however, the peculiar circumstances of the district are considered, the sparse European population, the isolated communities, and the preponderance of the Native people, there is perhaps little cause for surprise: for in such a district, where Press criticism must be unfelt and public opinion without existence, the arbitrary exercise of power and immoral political manoeuvres can have no sufficient check."