THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1868.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 345, 31 March 1868, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1868.

During these times of excitement, when nothing but Fenianism. is talked of, our readers may be led to overlook the fact that we are nuw in the midst of the election of members to represent the electoral districts of Westland in the Parliament of New Zealand. For the first time the inhabitants in the two townships of which Greymouth is composed vote in separate electoral districts — the residents in the Government Township voting in the election of a member for the Westland Boroughs, and those in the upper township voting for «* representative for Westlaud Spilth* This anainoloris position of the two halves of the town cannot be too frequently explained, for we find daily that some people have not yet by any means fully comprehended the new state of ! affairs. The upper township, being built on a Maoii reserve, and not having yet been proclaimed a part of the town of Greymouth, the residents or pro-perty-owners in it are virtually disfranchised. They have no vote for the Westland Boroughs, which are composed of the towns of Hokitika and Greymouth, but they can vote for the new ! district of Westland South. For the I representation of this district the nomination took place at Hokitika yesterday, and the poil will take place on Monday next. The polling-places in this district are the Warden's Court, Greymouth • the police buildings, Rutherglen ; and Fox's store, Maori Gully. The candidates who have offered themselves for election for this district are Mr Barff, M-C.C. ; and Mr Keary, M.C.C. Mr Button lias been, iuvited by requisition to stand, but although, he positively declined, it will be seen by a telegram published elsewhere that lie has been nominated, and a poll has been demanded on behalf of Mr Barff. Whether or not the other candidate was nominated our telegram does not say, and we must suppose that he was not. The contest will therefore be between Mr Barff and Mr Button. The residents in the Government Township will have to exercise their electoral right in the election of a member for the Westland Boroughs. The nomination for this district will take place at Hokitika to-morrow, the poll will be taken on Friday next, and the polling-places will be the Wardens Courts at Hokitika aud Greymouth. The ouly candidate who has announced himself is Mr W. H. Harrison, one of the representatives of Greymouth in the County Council; but it is very probable that several other gentlemen will be nominated to-morrow. We cannot press too strongly upon the electors the necessity of exercising their constitutional privilege on Friday ; and we trust that the" best man to represent the district will be returned. We have to state that all miners' rights or business licenses, issued at Greymouth, and which are of six months standing, entitle the holders thereof to vote for the Westlaud Boroughs. Only such miners' rights or business licenses as have been taken out otherwise than at Hokitika or Greymouth, can give any

qualification for voting for the election of a member for Westland South. Let it be clearly understood — every miner who has taken out a miners' right at Greyraouth, ant} whose right is six months old, can vote at Greymouth only and for the Westland Boroughs only. The third new district for which q, member is to be returned 13 Westland North, embracing all the country from j the Gollingwoof] Electoral District on j the north to the Grey River. For this seat two gentlemen have announced themselves as candidates, Mr Home, who now represents the Grey District in the Nelson Provincial Council ; and Mr George Donne, the representative of Cobden in the same Legislative body. The nomination for this district will take place at Westport on Saturday next, and the poll is fixed for Thursday, the 9th inst,, the polling-places in this? vicinity being the Court-house, Cobden } and the Police Camp, Ahaura.