THE ASSESSMENT ROLL.

Kumara Times, Issue 1073, 9 March 1880, Page 2

THE ASSESSMENT ROLL.

. [to the editor.] Sir— ln your local paragraph yester*. day re electoral roll you very rightly . published clause 6 of the “ Registration of Electors Act,” with the object, as you stated, of dispelling a misconception that appears to exist. But I am afraid that, instead of dispelling the misconception, it would lead to a very serious error, and many would be disfranchised from believing that, having been on the old Roll, they were entitled to be placed on the new Roll. This is not the case, seeing that under the second sub-seetion of clause 6, a discretion is left with the registrar, who shall assure himself of the right of every man to have his name retained upon the Roll. Now, as a fact, the police are .going, round, I suppose front"SifT strucfcious from the Registrar, and are , making inquiries as to who have left, who have changed residences, and so, forth, with' a view of reporting as to who are entitled to havp their names retained on the Roll. Knowing the continual changes that necessarily take place on a goldfield, and. seeing that having left Larrikins and gone to Dunedin Flat would be a ground to have an elector’s name struck off, it behoves all who have so changed their residences

to fresh application. There are, again, a great many who are working over at Westbrook : they; being absent froifc their hnts dilHng the day time, may also be reported against as having left'the district. Another objection is also that the police arb depehdunfc upon others for their information, and any person asked about others might either negligently or Wilfully defranChise theih by saying, “ I don’t know where they are;” or, “They have cleared out, long ago.” Another point is also that registration cost nothing, and that 'cladftus can be sent through post. Also thaft it is quite possible an appeal to the country may be faade at next meeting of Parliament, parties being so tevdnly divided j be forced on and parsed, it would be imperative that an appeal to the country should be made. I nope therefore that every man of 21 years of age Will See that his name is placed on the Toll} so that When rC‘■qfcired he may be able to do bis duty as colonist.—t am, <fec ; Rv J. SfebnoX. March 9,18&0. «[We shall take ah early opportunity tdf referring to Mr Seddon’s explanation of this claiisb of the Act.— -Eh. K.T.]