The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1431, 4 May 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1881.

As Parliament will expire by effluxion of time at the close of the coming sgssion, and a general election follow, as a matter of course it may be instructive to consider what changes are proposed to be made in connection with the Representation of the Colony. We are enabled to form a correct idea as to what the intentions of the Government are on the subject, as the Premier last year introduced a bill which would definitely deal with the whole question, if it became law. A leading feature in the changes proposed to be introduced is that the electoral districts shall, with one exception, return one member each ; the exception being in the case of Wanganui. According to the Bill introduced by the Premier, the House of Representatives will consist of ninety members over a.ud beyond the four members to be elected for the Maori electoral districts, and the colony will be divided into eighty-niue electoral districts. Maps of the said districts are to be deposited in the office of the Clerk of the House. New rolls are to be prepared, and every Registrar shall give notice to the Colonial Secretary, who shall publish the same iu the New Zealand Gazette, and from the day of such publication, the electoral roll so formed shall be the electoral roll for such district for all purposes. There is one matter which should not be forgotten in a mining community, and that is that the old privilege formerly enjoyed, of voting upon miners' lights, is abolished. To exercise the franchise, a man must have his name on the roll, as the production of a miner's right or a business license will not avail. Therefore it behoves every one to take the necessary steps at once to register their names. Formerly the roll was made up but once a year, and anyone who was a day late would find his name left out of the roll; but as the law now stands, additions to the roll can be made day by day. It is anticipated that Parliament will meet for the dispatch of business within a few weeks, and the session will most probably be a short one; consequently, it is but reasonable to suppose that the general elec-

ticn will take pLvce not later than September, under these circumstances, miners and others should lose no time in placing their names upon the electoral roll;

The following telegram from the Hon. W. Rolleston, Minister of Lands, has beeii kindly handed to lis for publication by R. J. Seddort* Esq ; , M.H.R tt was received yesterday i—-" lam very sorry that circumstances prevented my coming to the Coast. I am going into matters affecting the district with thd SurveyorGeneral, and have approved of the expenditure voted for Dillman's Town to Christchurch road, discussed between you and him.—W. Rolleston." This gratifying telegram means the construction of a very desirable work, viz., the widening into a dray road of the present track from Dillman's Town to the Christchurch road. There will then be direct communication for coaches and other vehicles between Kumara and the Christchurch road. We hope ere long to see the mail coach running through to Hokitika by this route. It will also tend to open up land for settlement, and be a great boon to the settlers on the Christchurch road. Should the consultation between the Hon. Mr Rolleston and the Surveyor-General result in immediate instructions being given for the reconstruction of the Kapitea dam and an increased water-supply, this district will have very little cause to complain. We are sorry that the Hon. Mr Rolleston could not see his way to visit Westland prior to the approaching session > but no doubt shortly after the prorogation, the long-promised visit will take place.

An analysis of the result of the interview of the deputation who waited upon the School Commissioners at Hokitika yesterday relative to the occupancy of the Kumara Education Reserve for mining and other purposes will appear in tomorrow's issue. It will be very satisfactory to leaseholders on the Reserve to know that only six months of the current year's rent will be required to be paid, instructions to that effect having been transmitted to the local agent. In those cases where the rents are already paid, the refund will take place after the sale.

The mail coach from Christchurch arrived this afternoon, punctually to the appointed time.

The Wellington correspondent of the New Zealand Herald hears that private letters received from Sir Julius Vogel indicate the probability of his coming out shortly to press his claims for remuneration on account of services in raising the last loan, but that there is not the remotest prospect of his remaining in the Colony, or re-entering New Zealand politics.

Mr Thomas Collier, late of Nelson, has started a parchment manufactory in Blenheim. In the Government offices at Wellington alone £6OO worth of parchment is used annually, and as Mr Collier can compete with the imported article both in quality and price, there is a chance of his securing a lucrative trade.

To those in search of merriment, visit S. S. Pollock's, and obtain the great Irish song "The Babies in our Block," or ''Little Sally Waters"; price sixpence. LAdvt.]