THE MANAWATU ELECTORAL ROLL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue II, 8 June 1880, Page 2

THE MANAWATU ELECTORAL ROLL.

« The new Electoral Eoll for Manawatu, which has just been published., is worthless, in so far that it contains the names of a large number of persons who have no right to be enrolled. During last session of Parliament the principle was distictly affirmed in the Qualification of Electors Act that only those Maoris whose names were on a ratepayers' roll, or who owned a freehold property of the value ol £25, were entitled to vote. Subjection 3 of section 2 of the Act mentioned says : Every male Maori of the age of twenty one years and upwards, whose name is enrolled upon a ratepayers' roll in force within the electoral district in respect of which he claims to vote, or who is seized in seveialty of a freehold estate of the value of twenty five pounds whether subject to incumbrances or not, is entitled to be reeislered as an elector and to vote at the election of memlers foi* such district for the Houso of Representatives. But no Maori shall Is entitled to lie registered as an elector., or to vo te at any such election, in respect of any other qualification under this Act. Knowing such was the law on the question, it was with very great surprise we noticed that on the " Eoll of persons qualified to vote at the election of members for the House of Representatives from the first day of May, 1880," there are entered a number of natives whose " nature of qualification " is stated to be " residential." Further enquiry showed that the natives entered under the " residential " qualification were persons who have previously been qualified under " household" and other abolished qualifications. The Eegistration Officer, in compiling the new roll, has evidently missed an important part of his duty, by neglecting to strike out the names of the natives who do not possess the freehold qualification. Section 6 of "The^ Registration of Electors Act" instructs the Registrars to form a new roll for each district, "by placing thereon the names of all persons who are qualified in such district . . . and who are on the roll of any electoral district in force at the time of the commencement of this Act." At first sight it might appear that the Registrar was justified in inserting in the new roll Maoris whose names are on the old one, but this idea we think incorrect ; for the construction of the sentence appears to intimate that names of persons qualified are to be retained on the new roll. We affirm the Alaoris are declared to be unqualified under the residential clause, and that therefore their names cannot be retained. For example, the name of a dead man might be on the old roll, but because it was there the Regietrar would not think of retaining it. Maoris registered as " leaseholders " or " householders " are in the sajae position. Politically speaking, they are dead, having been swept off by the Qualification of Electors Act of last session. To retain them on the roll, therefore, under the residential qualification, is to give them votes in direct opposition to the letter and spirit of the law. We have directed early attention to the matter, as, in caso of an election, endless complication and trouble would certainly result if the roll is not in accordance with the law.

Tbac'ikbs' Association*.— A 1 ; a inor-i.in* of Manawatu State Scboal teiichers, hull at P^nowHton on Saturday last, it was resolve 1 to form a branch of the Teachers' Assoc : a -icn, Mr Wn>vm, o" Palmersto-i, beintj i ■•» intol hon i>f.t\ tv y The Hokowhbnua Road. — Our Mo a. whenua correspondent writes, unrUr d ito, of June 6:— *" A meeting has boen h eld of the natives at ilorowlieuua, and it wa<i reso "<: . » ' t\« '<>ft l wf U shouM not tfo '•"' until i settlement wa<» come to about the | price of tbe ;• iv<l. and a.>o 10 st'p -i.t- « •, >. men. li'th V cntuiuo the work, 'he who^ tvi'ie will i\ssj'.nl)le and tiko possession nf thaxca, &s. This affair is ma known to Major Komp, vho ou^'ht to be at once informed of their intentions." Choral Society.— Members are rewinded that a praotioe will bo held tomorrow evening. Highways Board. — The Manawatu Highways Board meets at Palmerston on Thursday next. Sandox Railway.— The annual meeting takes pluoa on Friday evening, at Sanson schoolhouae Oountz Council. — The usual monthly meeting of thin Council was held at the County office yesterday. A report of the proceedings appears in another column. Auction Sale. — Messrs Thynne, Linton & Co. announce a sale of fruit trees, shrubs, &c,., &c, from the nursery of Mr Laird, of Wanganui. The sale will be held on Tuos day next, at the Public Hall. The same firm will also hold a sale of properties com prising the Temperance hotel, and other properties, at the end of the month. First Bl»od. —In another column Mr Saunlers, the reclamation contractor, advertises for a supply of posts and rails. OtAki Court. — The sitting of the Otaki Court will be held today, and certainly the R. M. will be in no danger of having a sinecure appointment, at least for one day. No less than 57 cases are down on the list for hearing, and though a great number of them are trivial, they will probably occupy the Court for two days. The sitting of the Licenßing Court, which will be held at noon this day, will also have a considerable amount of busmesa to transact, new licenses having been applied far by E. M. SimmoncU, for the Puikakariki Hotel, and Wm. Udy, for the Otaki .berry Hotel. We "also understand that an objection has been lodged by the local constable against Mr Greenough's application for a renewal, anj that the natives have carried out their intention expressed at last quarterly sitting of the Licensing Court, and lodged a petition against any licensed house being permitted in Otaki. Rowing Club Concert. — A meeting of the Entertainment Committee of the Foxtou lowing Club was held on Friday evening, to wind up matters in connection with the late concert. It was reported that the receipts amounted to £13 18s, and that after paying all expenses a balance to the funds of the Club of between £8 and £9 would remain The corniwittfe then considered the question of another entertain ment, and it was unanimously resolved to make the necessary arrangements for one in six weeks, the first part being a conoert, and the second a Christy Minstrel entertainment. Rowing Club — A meeting of members of the Sowing Club is called for this evening, at 8 o'olock, at Whyte's Hotel. The busi» ness to be transacted is ordinary, after which it is intended to consider the desirability of arranging for an " outing " in the Queen Mab and Dolly Varden next Saturday. Thb Electoral Roll. — "We have obt lined a copy of the new Electoral Holl for the district of Mauawatu. The number enrolled is 2041, being en increase of 231 over the roll issued last year. A new column is intioJuced into the roll, describing the occupation of the voter, but in the m»jority of cases is left blank, whilst the very general term of " settler" is put down as tho occupat on of nearly all whose occupation is described. In a future issue we will endeavour to place before our readers ai. analysis of the voting power of the district Copies of the roll may be obtained at the Post office for the sura of Is fid. Awahuri Hotgl. — The Feilding Licensing 1 Court have refused to grant a license to the Awahuri Hotel. Insolvency — A meeting of creditors in the estate of F. K. Crowiher was held at Messrs Thynne, Liuton <k Co's office, Foxton, on Saturday last, Mr Thynne, trustee, in the chair. The only other oreriitors present were Messrs Nicholas, of Feilding, and Poole, of Oroua. The meeting was called to consider tho desirability or otherwise of granting the debtor Mb discharge. A discussion took place as to some Building Society shares which are held by the debtor's wife, and as these have not been handed over to the oreditors, they refused to recommend the discharge. Mr Mankind attended on behalf of the debtor. Dkamatic. — The recent entertainment ".ppears to have given dramatio matters a stir in Foxton, as we understand it is intended to try and resuscitate the defunct Dramatic Ciub. Dbparturb. — We notice the departure of Mr J. Farley, late assistant operator at the Foxton telegraph office, for Wellington, to which offico he has been removed. During the period Mr Farley has been stationed at Boston — souie two years —he has by his courtesy and desire to oblige the public made many fiiends, who will wish him well in the future. His place in the Foxton office has been supplied by a cadet from Wellington. Washing Fluid. — No woman will ever regret having given this recipe a trial. It will prevent many a weary step, many an aching arm or foot, yes. and many an heartache, too. Take lib of sal-soda, £lb unslacked lime ; put them into ope gallon of water, boil twenty minutes, let it stand till cool, pour off tind put in stone jug. So:\k your dirty clothes over night or until weil wet through ; wrine out aud rub on plenty of soap, and to one boiler of olothes covered with water, add one teacup of the fluid. Boil half an hour fast, then wash through ono suds, xinse in two waters and your olothes will look nicely. — Gorman town Telegraph. SlB Geo. Grey.— lt is pretty well understood now that Sir Gecrge Groy has been practicully dethroned from the leudership of the Opposition. It was found on comparing noteß that only a faithful few wore prepared to go, " the Grey, tho whole Grey." The remainder of the old pany Bay, " We will cheer the old man when he rises, nnd applaud him when he stts down, but we draw the lino at that." Even some of his old Auckland admirers have become completely disillusioned. Mr Speight seems to have stepped into the boots of Mr Rees as Sir George Grey's friend and walkingstick. They are inseparable. It is very freely stated that Sir George Grey's opposition to tho Property Tax Bill arises solely from the fact that lie is possessed of so much property in the colony — £107,000 it is said, and that his contribution to tho revenue under tho Act would he £4000 a-year, which, in his i-btiirnuiun, outweighs the whole human race. — Wellington correspondent Wanganui Chronicle. The Kelly Gano. — 'The North-Eastern Ensign writes respecting tlie Kelly outlaws: — " If a constable or stranger is seen in tho

valley of the Kinif River, tho fact is cirried straight to the Kellys by bush telegrams. It is not necessary '.hat »ho telegraph should speak to the Kellys, or even see them. A certain way of tying a handkerchief on the slesve of a c-iat. when riding along a bush tvack, constitutes ». ryphor word whi «H the o it'itws can r^ad without showing th -m b*lv<!h fi-'-m (iftß ot their wntch towers Th •< ■»ansf luivp given up all hopo of brinsr a''lf to break nw.iy and they -are now flaying a wailing guin'e, which must, inevitably be r .... 1 '„- iV yiV.c- ; bu'. •vTnhnr the- rul wilt come in a month, or six ninths, or twelve, no one can ns-y. The jn-i .i :\fc operation of ainip"y WiUohiu-r rhe Kollyh ;g costing the colony ue«rl ' £uOJ n year ; and all the return the oolony gets for the money is this— that the police have deprived the outlaws of all hope of escape, that they are leading a wretched life of anxiety, and daily becoming less and less trustful of their friends. It ia some satisfaction to know that they have been effectually cornered, and that their capture or death is only a question of time. We know also that- any* thing like another outbreak of crime in the infected distriot has become impossible."