ELECTION ROLL.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 11 September 1912, Page 3

ELECTION ROLL.

TO THK EUITOK

Sir, — "Will you kindly allow me space to bring under the notice of the electors of Helensvilte the unfair way the Clerk and Chairman of the Town Board have dealt with the Town Board Roll. People who have no qualification whatever have been placed on the Roll, while others who have qualification have been refused. In one case Mv S. J. Frost, who owns (Smith's) Pipitiwai, was refused admission to the Roll, whilo Mr H. M. Wi'son, one of the previous owners, has been put on, also his wife. Mr Tui McEwin applied with authority from Hancock & Co as the Attorney, to represent the Kaipara Hotel, yet the application was refused, and he was told that he was on as residental, but when he asked the question "If I am on as residental, why not my brother George the same '"? he was told he could not go on, but in the eleventh hour when the roll was about to close lie was put on on signing an application which he had to write himself. If residental qualification was right, why was it not made public? In the last few hours before the closing of the roll, what do w:e find :—The Chairman with all his staff writing enrollment forms and getting them signed and put in, while dozens of others had j been previously refused the same qualifications. In my own case a deep plot was j laid to try and prevent me nominating j as a candidate for a seat on the Board, j by notifying me that my qualification ! w*as bad and that I had been struck off the roll. I just had time to get: the Valuation Roll amended, which could have been done by the Clerk if he wished, bvit circumstances uudor which he was placed would net allow him. The next move was to try and buy the section that I am on the Roll for, and the owner Avas told that a good price would be given for it, bat the reply was: "You are too late, Jim will never get it." If the people of Helensville tolerate such conduct, it will be much of a surprise to me, for we all expect British fair play, and it remains to be seen what their verdict will be on Election Day. It is my intention to address a public meeting in the Foresters' Hall on Tuesday night prior to the election, on matters of importance to the ratepayers. I should have taken an earlier opportunity, but the Hall being engaged every night, I have been uuable to do so. I hope to see the Hall well filled, so that the ratepayers may have an

idea of how their interests ai<> being attended to -before they record their votes. I am, etc., James McLeod.