The Kumara Times Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1879.

Kumara Times, Issue 973, 12 November 1879, Page 2

The Kumara Times Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1879.

Among the many measures of reform promised to be introduced by the Grey Ministry, had they succeeded in retaining power, was one they were never tired of flaunting before the country, on the grounds of its extreme liberal

tendency. We allude to the Electoral Bill. Under this " liberal " measure, had the Grey party succeeded in placing it on the Statnte Book, no person would have been entitled to vote in an election for a member of the House of Representatives unless he was the holder of "an elector's right" issued to him for the district in which he claimed to vote, "and his name, with the number of his elector's right affixed, upon an electoral roll in force for the time being for the district." To obtain an elector's right any person claiming it would have had to apply " in person " to the registration officer of the district, and in that gentleman's presence have had to " sign his name in a book kept for the purpose," and then pay to the officer "the sum of two shillings." This, however, was only a preliminary step, as the person applying for and paying the necessary fees would only get his name placed on what was culled " a list of claimants," which would be made up in the month of September " in each year." After this, should no objection be lodged against the claimant in the Revision Court, he would be entitled to vote the year next succeding the year in which the electoral roll was compiled. The existing law in regard to the privileges of the franchise is bad enough, as shown by the large number of electors who were disfranchised in this district at the last sitting of the Revision Court, but the " liberal" measure of the late Government would have beeri a clear case of " out of the fryingpan into the fire." Turning, however, to a similar measure introduced into the House by the Government now in office, who, have been so repeatedly taunted as not holding liberal views, one is at once struck with the idea that of the two measures in question the "illiberal" one of the Hall Ministry is the one that wiil find favor with the people of the C'jlony. Short, simple, though concise, their " Registration of Electors Bill" deals with the whole matter, but n>t at the expense and inconvenience of the would-be elector. Any }> v.>on wishing to have his name placed on the roll has simply to s- nd in a claim. It then becomes the duty of the Kegistra-, "during the fifteen days following the receipt of such claim to make inquiries as to the truth of the particulars therein stated," and if he is satisfied that they are true, " he shall, at dm expiration of the said fifteen days, .add the name of the claiui.uit to the roll." If, on the other hand, he shall satisfy himself that any of the particulars ate not true, he 1 as to give the claimant notice of the ground of objection, who may then withdraw Ins claim. !No two shillings,

no inconvenience, a Government official to take all necessary proceedings ; but persons names can be placed on the roll at anytime of the year, and should their claims be just fifteen days after their application their votes can be exercised. This is liberalism of the t .ie type and of a character that will far to establish the repute of the sill Ministry.

Witk deep regret we announce the decease of Charles Broad, the respected Warden and Resident Magistrate of this district, which occurred at his residence at Greymcmth early this morning. The deceased gentleman) although only officially connected with this district for a few months, had gained the esteem of all with whom lie was brought into contact, by his genial manner as well as by his impartial discharge of the duties appertaining to the judicial position he occupied. The arduous and incessant toil entailed on him through the Government placing such an extensive district under his charge as the Grey Valley and Kuinara combined h-ts doubtless considerably hastened the sad event we have now to rec axl and deplore. As a private individual lie had made many friends in this town, who will hear with sincere regret of the demise of one so highly esteemed as the late Charles Broad.

The Cliristchurch eoach, with six bags of mails and no passengers for Kumara, passed the Bealey at an early hour this morning.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning Edward Murphy was fined 10s. and costs, for drunkenness. The defendant was also fined 10s. for refusing to leave an hotel when requested by the proprietor, and £5 for resisting the police in the execution of their duty. Persons wishing to visit the southern part of this country will have an opportunity on Friday next, when the screwsteamer "Waipara will leave Hokitika for Okarito at 10 p.m. The Ballarat Art Union, which we have received many inquiries in regard thereto, has at last been drawn, the first prize falling to the lot of a barber at Ararat, and the £IOOO prize to Mr P Mattocks of Christchurcli.

The planets Jupiter and Mars are both conspicuous objects in the heavens now, and particularly so during these fine moonless evenings. The former appears at a high altitude soon after sunset, and continues visible in the nor'-western sky till after midnight, when it sots almost due west. Jupiter will be in quadrature with the sun on the 27th, so that this time will be favorable for observing the eclipses of his satellites. Mars may be singled out of the starry sphere, many degrees east of Jupiter, by his great lustre and fiery hue. "Although," writes a contemporary, "Mars will nob approach the earth so closely as he did in 1377, when the brilliant discovery of his two satellites was made, yet the present opposition is a very favorable one, as he will be nearer the earth than he was part of the time in 1577 when his satellites were observed. It is probable, therefore, that they may be again seen during this month with some of the giant telescopes that will be specially directed to them, after which many years are likely to elapse before they will be again visible." Mars will be in opposition to the sun to-morrow, so that for some days he will rise and set at about the times of sunset and sunrise respectively.

Some people have strange ideas as to what constitutes obscene language, as at the Rangiora Police Court lately a witness stated that a defendant had used obscene and bad language. The Bench requested him to repeat the exact words. After some hesitation and pressing from the Court, witness said the accused had threatened "to make a parable " of himself and his brother.