The Lyttelton Times. Wednesday, April 15th.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 464, 15 April 1857, Page 7

The Lyttelton Times. Wednesday, April 15th.

Some time ago we drew attention to the most apparent faults in the distribution of representatives amongst the various districts defined in the Provincial Council Extension Ordinance, Sess. nr. No. 1. A change in the 'system of representation .which involves two distinct Electoral Rolls within the same province, one for elections to the House of Representatives, the other for elections to the Superintendency and Provincial Council, should be very well matured before it is brought into action. The inconvenience attending such a system, of registration will be very great. It would be almost impossible to make out-lying voters, who trouble Jhemselves very little about the matter, understand the difference between the two rolls. We hope that the Provincial Council will during the present sesbion take this ordinance into consideration. During the time that has elapsed since it was passed very great changes have taken place in the distribution of legally qualified voters throughout the province. It should be considered whether, before a change in the division of districts is introduced, it were not well to modify it so as to suit present requirements. For if no great benefit is derived from such a change it would be an unmixed evil. There would be probably just time to obtain His Excellency's assent to any new law that might be required, before the dissolution of the Council, at which time the existing1 law is to come into force.

A. confusion appears already to haye sprung up amongst many of the public as to the times for registering their claims to vote for the House of; Representatives and the Provincial Council. It is not to be expected that busy men up the country can always iind means to inform themselves at once on all topics.of Provincial Legislation. ;We understand that many inhabitants of the country districts are sending in two claims, one for each of the supposed rolls, under the impression that- they must both be sent in in

April. But we find on referring to the Provincial Council Extension Ordinance that the provisions we have alluded to will not come into force at all until after the dissolution of the present Council. The only claims which must be sent in this month are claims to vote for the different districts proclaimed by Sir George Grey. On the dissolution of the Council it will be the duty of the Superintendent for the time being to appoint. Returning Officers in each district who will receive claims to vote according to the new law.

We are inclined, however, to doubt whether the advantages of having a different system of registrationfortheGeneral and Provincial elections will counterbalance the inconveniences which will necessarily arise. At any rate, we are convinced that under existing circumstances the new law would involve changes hard to be understood by the public generally, and that without securing any adequate benefit to the public service.