CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 33, 10 February 1877, Page 3

CORRESP ONDENCE.

[Our correspondence column being open, no responsibility can be accepted m respect to opinions expressed by correspondents.]

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — By your report of the last meeting of the Manawatu County Council, I see that the member for Horowhenua riding has the honor of drawing first blood, he having obtained leave to spend ten pounds on the main road m his riding. Apropos of this, no account was ever given m the newspapers, so far as I am aware, of the manner m which Mr M'Donald was elected for Horowhenua riding. This riding is, I believe, co> terminous with the Otaki ward of the Manawatu highway district. Not being an outlying district, therefore, the only qualification for electors, m a Council election, is that of a ratepayer. Otaki ward has never been assessed, and has hitherto been represented at the Manawatu Highway Board by a nominee Warden, there being no ratepayers to elect one. It seems to me, therefore, that no legal election for councillor can have taken place m Horowhenua riding, there being no one to propose or second Mr M'Donald for the position of councillor. As far as the election itself is concerned, I presume it is now legalised by the fact of no objections having been made before the fourteen days allowed for objections had passed ; but still, I take it that Mr M'Donald not having paid rates for his riding, nor, as far as I can ascertain, for property m any other part of the county, is incapable by clause 61 of the Counties' Act of being a councillor, he not being a county elector ; and is, therefore, liable to be ousted on a hearing before a resident magistrate, on any elector of the county bringing the matter by affidavit under the notice of the court. As the fine for acting as councillor when incapacitated is very heavy, I should advise Mr M'Donald to consider his position well before the next meeting of the Council. I am, &c, Justitia.