THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1868.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 404, 15 August 1868, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1868.

The nomination of candidates for the office of Councillors, in the first Municipal Council of Greytnouth, is appointed to take place on Tuesday next ; and, as the manner in which the nominations are made is somewhat peculiar, a few explanations may not be out of place. The first step to be taken by an elector anxious to nominate a candidate is to obtain from the Returning Officer, at the Resident Magistrate's Court, a printed nomination paper. This must be properly filled up, and signed by three duly qualified electors, enrolled on the electoral roll then in force in the Borough ; and must also be signed by the person therein nominated in token of his assent thereto. The law is very strict on this point, and any informality in the filling up of these papers will be sufficient to disqualify the candidate. These nomination papers must be lodged with the Returning Officer before four o'clock on Monday afternoon, after which time no further candidates can be nominated. Candidates for office must be properly qualified by being registered on some electoral roll t which, on the 20th June last, was in force in the Borough, and whose qualification is in respect of lands or tenements situate within the Borough. In our case, it has been decided to U3e for the present election what is known as •'the old roll," s_o that no person can either nominate or be nominated who is not registered on that roll. It may be as well to mention that no person is qualified to be a candidate for the office of Councillor "who has beeji insolvent, and has not obtained his final order of discharge ; who has been attainted of treason, or been connected of felony or perjury, or any infamous crime ; or who holds v place of office or profit under the Council, or participates in the profits of a, contract for the Council." These matters ought to be strictly looked into, because it is provided that a line, not exceeding £20, can be

inflicted for the nomination of any incapacitated person, and also for any person not entitled to vote, willingly and knowingly signing a nomination paper ; and every incapacitated person acting as a Councillor is liable to a penalty of £50. We have thought proper to make the3o explanations, in order that errors may be avoided in bringing forward candidates ; and, as this will be the last opportunity we shall have of referring to the matter before the nominations are lodged with the Returning Officer, we must express the hope that the citizens will remember that they are now called upon to discharge a mpst important public duty, in the selection pf men who are qualified by ability and intelligence to represent them in the first Municipal Council of Greyr mouth. We dc> trust that this duty will be discharged conscientiously, anel in a manner free from all the petty jealousies which have hitherto characterised any political contest in this tflwn j and that, as we are now pne unitpd borough, so the. interests of the entire community will be kept in view by all who take any active. step 3in the forthcoming election.