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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 104, 9 October 1878, Page 2

The friends and supporters of Mr Eockell have determined to test the legality of the election of Mr Dawson to the Wardenship of Carnarvon. The grounds of objection are two-fold — first, that Mr Dawson's name not appearing on the ratepayers' roll, he is not entitled to vote for a candidate; and secondly, that for the same reason he was not eligible to come forward as a candidate. From what we have learned of the facts of the case, we are very much inclined to believe tbat neither of the objections raised will hold good. In the first place, with regard to his right as a voter, it is admitted that Mr Dawson always paid tbe rates for Douglas & Co., and consequently, as the Co. — m the absence of any other claimant — he was fully entitled to exercise the privilege of the franchise on their behalf. Cranting, however, that the protest could be sustained upon that ground, it would but deprive him of five votes out of the eleven with which he headed Mr Eockell, and consequently, could not alter the result. With reference to the second objection, we are at a considerable loss to discover under what provision of the Act the protestants would debar Mr Dawson from being a candidate. The second section of the 20th Clause of the Highways Act of the Provincial Legislature, under which the election was conducted, demands that every candidate for the office of Warden shall be proposed by one qualified^ voter, and seconded by another. It is perfectly clear upon that point, but there is no reference made to a required qualification upon his part. To be the representative m the Legislative Assembly for any district, it is by no means necessary that a candidate should hold property, be resident, or pay rates within its boundaries; all that is needed is that he should be an elector of tbe Colony, and we presume the qualification will be sufficient to enable Mr Dawson to take his seat at the Board. We do not offer an opinion upon the relative merits of elected or defeated. Mr Dawson has evidently been the choice of the majority, and we fail to see the wisdom of protesting upon the grounds stated.