[From the Government Gazette, March 10] PROCLAMATION.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 794, 12 March 1853, Page 3

[From the Government Gazette, March 10 ] PROCLAMATION.

By His Excellency Sia Gbougb Grbt, a Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Gover-ndr-in-Chief and Commander-in-Chief in and orer the Islands of New Zealand, and Vice •Admiral of the same, &c, &c, &c.

ANALYSIS. Preamble. Sec. I. — Ginerai. Assembly. 1. Number of Members to be elected. 2. Number of Electoral Districts. 3. Number of Members of the Home of Representatives.' Sic. ll.— Scmmntinoints and P*ovincial Councils. Promncerf Auekhaid. 4. Number of Members of Provincial Council. ' 5! Number of Electoral Districts. 6. Number of Members of Provincial Council for each District. ' Province qfNew Plymouth. 7. Number of Members of Provincial Council. 8. Number of Electoral Districts. 9. Number of Members of Provincial Council for each District* Provinet 0/ Wellington. 10. Number of Members of Provincial Council. 11. Number of Electoral Districts. 12. Number of Members of Provincial Council for each District. Province of Nelson. 13. Number of Members of Provincial Council. 14. Number of Electoral Districts. 15. Number of Members of Provincial Council for each District. Province of Cadterlhtry. 16. Number of Members of Provincial Council. ,17. Number of Electoral BUtoicts. - i is* Number, a^J/Umbers dTP^waraal Council tor v e»ct District.-, '* 1 of i'rovincial OonnciE 20. Number of Electoral Districts. 21. Number of Mem Mrs of Provincial Council for each District. Sec. lII.— GcNmAL Regulations. 22. Qualification of Voters. 23. Claim to be preferred. " 24. Form, &c, of Claim. '25. When to be preferred. 26. When to be preferred for certain Districts. 27. List of Claims to be prepared. 28. And to be published. 29. Justices to prepare Electoral Roll. 30. Objections to Claims. 31. Electoral Roll how to be formed. 32. Proof of Qualification In what case required. 33. The Electoral Roll how long in force. 34. Coyy of Electoral Roll to be published. 35. Polling Placet. 36. Additional Polling Places. 37 % Returning Officers. 38. Writs for Elections. 39. Issue of Writs for supplying vacancies in Provincial Councils. « 40. Days for Nomination and Election how fixed. 41. Returning Officer to preside at Nomination. 42. Iti case of a Contest. 43. In case a Poll be demanded. ♦ 44. The Polling. 45. Mode of Voting. 41. What enquiry may be made. 47. State of the Poll in certain cases to be declared. 48. Names of Persons elected as Members of the House of Representatives or of a Provincial Councils be inserted in Writ. 49. State of the Poll in certain cases to be declared. 50. State of the Poll in each District to be inserted in- Writ at Election for Superintendent. 51. Voting Papers to be preserved. 52. New Writ in certain cases. 53. Objection to validity of Return of Superintendents a ' 54. Objection to validity of Return of Members of the House of Representatives. 55. Objection to Validity of Return of Members of Provincial Council. 56. Aucklaud, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, andDunedin, to be deemed Capital Towns for purposes of Proclamation. 57. Proclamation to take effect from date. Schedules. Plans. Preamble reciting 15 & 16 Viet. Reg., cap. lxni. t "An Act to grant a Representative Conttitution to tJie Islands of New Zealand."— [30th Jane, 1852.] T/yHEREAS, by an Act of the Session of "T the Imperial Parliament holden in the fifteenth and sixteenth years of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen- Victoria, chap. seventytwo, it is amongst other things enacted, That it shall he lawful for the Governor of New Zealand, by Proclamation, to constitute within each of the said Provinces, by the above in part recited Act established, convenient Electoral Districts for the Election of the Superintendent — of Members of the Provincial Council — and of the House of Representatives of New Zealand — and to make provision for the Registration and Revision of Lists of all Persons qualified to rote at the Elections to be holden within such Districts— and for the appointing of Returning Officer*— and for issuing, executing, and returning the necessary writs for such Elections — and for taking the Poll thereat — and for determining the validity of all disputed Returns — and otherwise for ensuring the orderly, effective, and impartial conduct of such Elections : And whereat, by the said recited Act, power is given to the Governor, by Proclamation, to

declare certain places to be Towns for the purposes of the said Act : Now therefore, I, the Governor-in-Chief of New Zealand, in pursuance and by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the said in part recited Act, and under and by virtue of all other powers and authorities enabling me in that behalf, do hereby proclaim, DECLARE, DIRECT, and APPOINT, as follows :—

S*c. 1.-tfeuerat &Kem&ta. 1. — Number of Members to be Elected. The Honse of Representatives for the Islands of New Zealand shall consist of Thirty-seven Members. 2. — Number of Electoral Districts. The said Islands, for the purposes of the Election of the Members of the House of Representatives shall be divided into Twenty-four Electoral Districts, to be named as follows : — 1. The City of Auckland. 2. The Suburbs of Auckland. 3. The Pensioner Settlements. 4. The Northern Division. 5. The Southern Division. 6. The Bay of Islands. 7. The Towh of New Plymouth. 8. The Grey and Bell Districts. 9. The Omata District. 10. The City of Wellington. 11. The Wellington Country District. 12. The Hutt District. 1 3. The Wairarapa andHawke's Bay Districts. 14. The Wanganui and Rangitikei District!. 15. The Town of Nelson. ' 16. The Waimea District. 17. The Motueka and Massacre Bay Districts. 18. The Wairau District. 19. The Town of Christchurch. 20. The Christchnrch Country District. 21. The Town of Lyttelton. 22. The Akaroa District. 23. The Town of Dunedin. 24. The Dcraedin Country District. The Boundaries of the said Districts being particularly set forth and described in the Schedule, and delineated on the Map? or Plans hereunto annexed. 3. — Number' of Members of the House of Representatives for each District. The number of Members to be elected to serve in the House of Representatives for thp said several Districts shall be as follows, viz. : — 1. For the City of Auckland Three Members. 2. For the Suburbs of Auckland Two Members. 3. For the Pensioner Settlements Two Members. 4. For the Northern Division Two Members. 5. For the Southern Division Two Members. 6. For the Bay of Islands One Member. 7. For the Town of New Plymouth One Member. 8. For the Grey and Bell Districts One M«(^er. 9. Ftfr the Oratta ; District Ope Member. 10. For the Gity-e^#e4Hogton Three MeroDefsT 11. For the Wellington Country District One Member. 12. For the Hutt District Two Members. 13. For the Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay Districts One Member. 14. For the Wanganui and Rangitikei Districts One Member. 15. For the Town of Nelson Two Members. 16. For the Waimea District Two Members. 17. For the Motueka and Massacre Bay Districts One Member. 18. For the Wairau District One Member. 19. For the Town of Christchurch One Member. 20. For the Christchurch Country District Two Members. 21. For the Town of Lyttelton One Member. 22. For the Akaroa District One Member. 23. For the Town of Dunedin One Member. 24. For the Dunedin Country District Two Metiibers.

Sec. ll.— £>upermtttrtrrntt aifr #rnbmcisl Council*, PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND. Superintendent and Pbotincial Council. 4. — Number of Members of Provincial Council. The Provincial Council of the said Province | shall consist of Twenty-four Members. 5. — Number of Electoral Districts. The Province of Auckland, for the purpose's of the Election of the Superintendent and the Members of the Provincial Council thereof shall be divided into Six Electoral Districts, to be named as follows, viz. : — 1. The City of Auckland. 2. The Suburbs of Auckland. 3. The Pensioner Settlements. 4. The Northern Division. '5. The Southern division. 6. The Bay of Islands. The Boundaries of the said Districts being particularly set forth and described in the Schedule, and delineated on the Maps or Plans hereunto annexed. 6. — Number of Members of the Provincial Council for each District. The number of Members to be elected to serve in the Provincial Council for the said several Districts in the Province of Auckland shall be as follows :—: — 1. For the City of Auckland Six Members. 2. For the Suburbs of Auckland Four Members. 3. For the Pensioner Settlements Four Members. 4. For the Northern Division Four Members. i 5. For the Southern Division Four Mem* bers. 6. For the Bay of Islands Two Members.

PROVINCE OF NEW PLYMOUTH. Superintendent and Provincial Council. 7.— Number of Members of Provincial Council, The Provincial Council of the said Province shall consist of Nine Members.

8. — Number of Electoral Districts. The Province of New Plymouth, for the purposes of the Election of the Superintendent and the Members of the Provincial Council thereof, shall be divided into three Electoral Districts, and shall be as follows, viz. : — 1. The Town of New Plymouth. 2. The Grey and Bell Districts, 3. The Omata District. The Boundaries of the said Districts being particularly set forth and described in the Schedule, and delineated on the Maps or Plans hereunto annexed. 9. — Number of Members of the Provincial Council for each District. The number of Members to be elected to serve in the Provincial Council for the said several Districts in the Province of New Plymouth shall be as follows :—: — 1. For the Town of New Plymouth Two 1 Members. 2. For the Grey and Bell Districts Four Members. 3. For the Omata District Three Members.

PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON. ■.Superintendent and PsjsVincial Council. 10. — Number of Members of Provincial Council. The Provincial Council , of the said Province shall consist of Eighteen Members. . 11. — Number of Electoral Districts. The Province of Wellington, for the purposes of the Election of the Superintendent and the Members of the Provincial Council thereof, shall be divided into Five Electoral Districts, to be named as follows, viz., — 1. The City of Wellington. 2. The Wellington Country District. 1. The Hutt District. 4 The Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay Districts. 5. The Wanganui and Rangitikei Districts. The 3oundajies of the said Districts being particularly set forth and described in the scheduh, and delineated on the Maps or Plans hereunto annexed. 12. — Nunher of Members of the Provincial Council for each District. The number of Members to be elected to serve in the Provincial Council for the said several District* shall be as follows, viz. : — 1. For the Ciy of Wellington Seven Members. 2. For the "Wellington Country District Three Members. 3. For the Hntt district Four Members. 4. For the WairWapa and Hawke's Bay Districts Two Members. 5. For the Wangaiiai and Rangitikei Districts Two Members.

PROVINCE OV NELSON. 13.— Mash.- tflleo&ers o/r^aUoial Council The Provincial Council of the said Province shall consist of Fifteen Mem&rs. 14. — Number of Elector\l Districts. The Province of Nelson, foi the purposes of the Election of the Superintendent and Mem. bers of the Provincial Council thereof, shall be divided into Seven Electoral districts, to be named as follows : — '< 1. The Town of Nelson. 2. The Suburban Districts. 3. The Waimea East District. ' •»• 4. The Waimea West District, f 5. The Waimea South District. , 6. The Motueka and Massacre Bjy Districts. 7. The Wairau District. < The Boundaries of the said Districts being particularly set forth and described in the Schedule, and delineated on the Maps organs hereunto annexed. 15. — Number of Members of tv: Provincial Council for each Distric' The number of Members to be elected to serve in the Provincial Council for t:\e 'said sever al Districts shall be aa follows :— v 1. For the Town of Nelson Five lumbers. 2. For the Suburban Districts One Vleraber. 3. For the Waimea East District Tv** Members, i?" * 4. For the Waimea West District One Member. •< 5. For the Waimea South District Jwo Members. 6. For the Motueka and Massacre Bay I?stricts Two Members. 7. For the Wairau District Two Members.

PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY. Superintendent and Provincial Qouncil. 16.— -Number of Members of Provincial Council. The Provincial Council of the said Province shall consist of Twelve Members. 17. — Number of Electoral b'istricls* The Province of Canterbury, for the purposes of the Election of the Superintendent «nd the Members of the Provincial Council thereof, shall be divided into Four Electoral Districts, to be named as follows, v#L : — 1. The Town of Christchurch. 2. The Christchurch Country District. 3. The Town of Lyftelton. 4. The Akaroa District. The Boundaries of the said Districts being being particularly, set forth and described in the Schedule, and delineated on the Maps or Plans hereunto annexed. 18. — Number of Members of the Provincial Council for each District. The number of Members to be elected to serve in the Provincial Council for the said several Districts shall be a3 follows :— 1. For the Town of Christchurch Three Members. 2. For the Christchurcb Country District Four Members.

3. For the Town of Lyttelton Three Mem- , bers. 4. For the Akaroa District Two Members.

PROVINCE OF OTAGO. Superintendent and Provincial Council. 19.— Number tf Members of Provincial Council The Provincial Council of the said Province shall consist of Nine Members. 20. — Number of Electoral Districts. The Province of Otago, for the purposes of the Election of the Superintendent and the Members of the Provincial Council thereof, shall be divided into Two Electoral Districts, to be. named as follows :—: — 1. The Town of Dunedin. 2. The Dunedin Country District. The Boundaries of the said Districts being particularly set forth and described in the Schedule, and delineated on the Maps or Plans hereunto annexed. 21. — Number of Members of the Provincial Council for each District. The number of Members to be elected to serve in the Provincial Council for the said several Districts shall be as follows :—: — 1. For the Town of Dunedin Three Members. 2. For the Dunedin Country District Six Members.

Sec. ill.—General totgyfatiani, 22.—'Qualification of Voters. Pursuant to the Provisions of the above recited Act, every man of the age of Twentyone years and upwards, having a freehold estate in possession, situate within the District for which the vote is to be given, of the clear value of Fifty Pounds above all charges and incambrances, and of or to which he has been seized or entitled, either at Law or in Equity for at least six calendar months next before the last Registration of Electors—orj having a Leasehold Estate in possession situate within such a district, of the clear annual] value of Ten Pounds, held upon a lease which at the time of such Registration shall have not less than three years to run —or having a Leasehold Estate so situate and of such value as aforesaid, of which he has been in possession for three years or upwards next before such Registration —or being a householder within such district occupying a Tenement within the limits of the Town, of the clear annual value of Ten Pounds —or without the limits of a Town, of the clear annual value of Five Pounds, having resided therein six calendar months next before such. Registration as aforesaid, shall, if duly registered be entitled to vote at the Election of a Superintendent of a Province, or of a Member or Members of the Provincial Council thereof, or of a Member or Members of the House of Representatives, Provided that he is not^ch alien—and tbat ,be has not-at any tfo*e herefofore been attainted or convicted of any treason, iViuuy, or any infamous offence withm any part of Her Majesty's Dominions, unless he shall have received a free pardon, or shall have undergone the sentence or punishment to which he shall have been adjudged for such offence. 23.—Claim to be •prefe,red. No person shall be qualified to vote at the Election of any Superintendent of a Province, or of any Member of the House of Representatives, or of the Members of the Provincial Council of any of the Provinces as aforesaid, unless he shall prefer a claim to the right of voting, and unless such claim be duly enrolled I as hereafter prescribed. j 24.—Form, tyc, of Claim. Every such Claim shall be in writing, and j shall state the name of the District or Districts i in respect of which it shall be made, and shall be signed by the Claimant, or by some other person in his name and authority, .and shall state also the place ot abode and calling' or business of the Claimant, and the qualification in respect of which such Claim may be made. 25.—When to be preferred. No such Claim as aforesaid shall be received unless it be made between the 15th day of April next and the 15th day of May next, or in the month of April in some succeeding year. 26.—Whereto be preferred far certain Districts. Every person claiming a right to vote for the j Election of the Members of the House of Representatives—of the Superintendent —or of the Members of the Provincial Council in the following Districts: —

PROVINCE OP AUCKLAND. 1 . The City of Auckland, V. The Suburbs of Auckland, I The Pensioner. Settlements, <> Thb Northern Division, 5 The Southern Division, shalllehver his claim, or cause the same to be delivced, at the Police Office at Auckland. 6. r iiE Bat of Islands, shall dever his claim, or cause the same to be deliverec at the Police Office at Russell.

PRO'INCE OF NEW PLYMOUTH. 1 . The '1 wn op New Plymouth, 2. The Gsy and Bell Districts, 3. Thb Ok.ta District, shall deliver hi claim, or cause the same to be delivered, at the'olice Office at New Plymouth.

PROVING OF WELLINGTON. 1. The Citt c> Wellington, 2. The Wbllinton Country District, shall deliver his clan, or cause the same to he delivered, a& the Riident Magistrate's Office at Wellingtoo. * 3. Thb HutT, 4. The Wa\jrar*a and Hawke's Bay District?, shall deliver his Claiw, o cause the same to he delivered, at the ' Resider. Magistrate's Office in the Valley of tl*e Hutt.

5. The Wanganui and Rangitikei Districts, shall deliver his Claim, or cause the same to be delivered, at the Resident Magistrate's Office at Wanganui.

PROVINCE OF NELSON. 1. The Town of Nilson, shall deliver his Claim, or cause the same to be delivered, at the Resident Magistrate's Office at Nelson. 2. The Waimea Districts, (for the Election of Members of the House of Representatives), f2. The Suburban Districts, j 3. The Waimea East District, j 4. The Waimea West District, [.5. The Waimea South District, (for the Election of the Superintendent and Members of the Provincial Council), shall deliver his claim, or cause the same to be delivered, at the Resident Magistrate's Office, Nelson.or at such places in the Waimea District, or in the Suburban Districts, the Waimea East District, the Waimea West District, the Waimea South District, respectively, (as the case may be), as the Resident Magistrate at Nelson may, by public notice, direct and appoint. 6. The Mottjeka and Massacre Bat Districts, shall deliver his Claim, or cause the same to be delivered, at such place in the Motuelca District as the Resident Magistrate at Nelson may, by public notice, direct and appoint. 7. The Wairau District, shall deliver his Claim, or cause the same to be delivered, at such place as the Resident Magistrate at Nelson may, by public notice, direct and appoint.

PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY. 1. The Town of Christchurch, 2. The Christchurch Country District, shall deliver his Claim, or cause the same to be delivered, at the Resident Magistrate's Office at Christchurch, or at such other place or places as the Resident Magistrate at Lyttelton may, by public notice, direct and appoint. 3. The Town of Lyttelton, shall deliver his Claim, or cause the same to be delivered at the Resident Magistrate's Office at Lyttelton. 4. The Akaroa. District, shall deliver his Claim, or cause the same to be delivered, at the Resident Magistrate's Office at Akaroa.

PROVINCE OF OTAGO. 1. The Town of Duijedin, 2. The Duhedin Country District, shall deliver his Claim, or cause the same to be delivered at the Resident Magistrate's Office Dunedin, or at such other place or places as the Resident Magistrate at Dunedin may, by public^ notice, direct and appoint. 27.-*Lat of Claims to be prepared. On the Fifteenth day of May next, and on the Thirtieth day of April in every succeeding year, or as soon after as conveniently may be, the Resident Magistrate, or some other fit person or persons to be appointed by the Governor in that behalf, at each of the above-named offices in the respective Districts in the Islands of New Zealand and several Provinces as afoiesaid, shall respectively cause a list to be prepared of the Claims which have been delivered at such respective offices as aforesaid, in pursuance of this Proclamation, setting forth the Christian and Surname of every Claimant at full length, together with his place of -abode, calling, or business, and the ground on which his claim may be made, and arranging the names in alphabetical order, and classing them for the several Districts for which they may respectively claim to be entitled to vote. 28. — And to be Published. On or before the Fifteenth day of June next, every such Resident Magistrate, or other person as aforesaid, shall, as soon as conveniently may be, cause a copy of the List of Claims, and in the month of June, in every succeeding year, shall cause a copy of the List of Claims which may have been preferred in pursuance of this Proclamation, together with a copy of the Electoral Roll .then in force, to be posted in some conspicuous place in the District, to which the said List and Roll shall especially relate, and shall subjoin thereto a Notice, that all objections thereto will be heard and determined at a meeting of Justices open to the Public, and to be held on a day to be specified in such Notice, not being more than one calendar month, after the date thereof. 29. — Justices to prepare Electoral Roll. Each such Resident Magistrate or other person shall call a Special Meeting of the Justices of the Peace, residing within the District or Districts to which the said Claims may relate, to be held on the day so to be specified as aforesaid, for the purpose of hearing and determining objections to such List and Roll as aforesaid, and of forming the Roll for the ensuing year of persons qualified to vote under the provisions of the &aid recited OrdiI ranee. 30. — Objections to Claims. Any person whose name shall be on any such List or Roll may object to any other person as not entitled to have his name retained on the Electoral Roll. But the person so objecting shall, ten days at least before the day appointed for -the formation of such Electoral Roll, cause notice in writing of such, objection, and of the ground thereof, to be given to the Resident Magistrate or other the person acting for the District, and also to the person objected to. 31. — Electoral Roll how to be Formed. At the meeting to be held for the formation of the said Electoral Roll, or at some adjournment of such meeting, the Justices (any two being a quorum) shall retain on the List of Claims, and on the Roll then in force, the names of all persons to whom no objection shall have been duly made, and shall also retain on the said Lists and Rolls the name of

every person who shall have been objected to, unless the party objecting shall appear in person in support of such objections, and shall also prove due service of his notice of objection. 32.- -Proof of qualification in what case required. In case the party objecting shall make his objections- in person, and Bhall prove such service of notice as aforesaid, the Court shall, require proof of the qualification of the person so objected to : and in case the qualification of such person shall not be proved to the satisfaction of the Court, the name of such person shall b.e expunged from the List or Roll. The Court shall also expunge therefrom the name of every person who shall be proved to be dead, and shall correct «ny mistake, or shall supply any omission, which should be proved to have been made therein respectively, in respect of the name or the place of abode of any person who shall be included therein, or in respect of the local description of his property : and the Lists and Roll so corrected shall form the Electoral Roll for the ensuing year, and shall be signed by the Resident Magistrate, or other the person presiding at such meeting of Justices as aforesaid. 33. — The Electoral Roll how long in force. The persons whose names shall be so enrolled thereon shall be deemed and taken to be the Electors of the District until the completion of the "Electoral Roll" for the year next ensuing : and every person whose name shall appear upon such " Electoral Roll" shall be deemed and taken to be duly qualified to vote for^.the District in respect of which his name shall appear upon such Roll without any further or other inquiry, revision, or scrutiny whatever. And when the name of any person claiming to be placed upon such Roll shall once have been duly enrolled thereon, such name shall from year to" year continue to be published as aforesaid, and be retained on the j Electoral Roll for the time being without any further claim on the part of the Elector, until j his name be objected to and shall be duly expunged in manner hereinbefore prescribed. < j - 34.— Copy of Electoral Soil to be published. As soon as conveniently may be after the 1 annual revision of such Roll, the Resident Magistrate, or such other person as aforesaid, •shall cause copies thereof to be published for general information: and the original Roll Shall be preserved by him *s long as it shall remain in force, open to the inspection of any Elector, at reasonable times, on payment of one -shilling.

35.— Polling Placet. PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND. . The Polling Places for the following Districts in the Province of Auckland, viz. : — 1. The Cur o* "Auckland, 2. Thi Suburbs of Auckland, 3. Thb Northern Division, shall be at some convenient place in the City of Auckland to be specified by the Returning Officer. 4. The Pensioner Settlements, 5. The Southern Division, shall be at some convenient place m the Tillage of Onehunga to be specified by the Returning Officer. 6. The Bat ov Islands -shall be at some convenient place in the Town of Russell to be specified by the Returning Officer.

PROVINCE OP NEW PLYMOUTH. The Polling Places for the following Districts (in the Province of New Plymouth, viz. : — 1. The Town op New Plymouth, 2. The Gbbt and Bell Districts, 3. The Omata District, shall he at some convenient place in the Town of New Plymouth to be specified by the Returning Officer.

PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON. The Polling Places for the following Districts in the Province of Wellington, viz : — 1. The Citt o» Wellington, 2. The Wellington Country District, shall be at some convenient place .in the City of Wellington to be specified by the Returning Officer. 3. The Hutt District, shall be at »pme convenient place in the Valley of the Hatt to be specified by the Returning Officer. 4. The Wairarapa and Hawxe's Bat Districts, •shall- be at some convenient place or places to be specified by the Returning Officer. 5. The Wanoanui and Rangixikei Districts, shall be at some convenient place at Wangaaui to be specified by the Returning Officer.

PROVINCE DF NELSON. The Polling Places for the following Districts in the Province of Nelson, viz. ii — * 1. Thx Town o» Nelson, *hall be at some convenient place in the Town of Nelson to be specified by the Returning Officer. 2. Th» Waimba Districts, f2. Thk Suburban Districts, or J 3. Thk Waimba East District, I 4. Thb Waimia'Wist District, L 5. Thx Waiika South District, shall, for the Election of the Members of the House of Representatives, be aUome convenient ut° r CM iv the Waimea District, or for the Election of the Superintendent or Members of the Provincial Council, at some convenient place or places in the Suburban Districts, the Waimea East District, the Waimea West Distnct, the Waimea South District, respectively (as the case may be), to be specified by the Returning Officer. 6.— The Motuika and Massacr* Bat Districts, shall be at some convenient place or places in the Motueka District to be specified by the Returning Officer,

7. The Wairau District, shall be at some convenient place or places to be specified by the Returning Officer.

PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY. The Polling Places for the following Districts in the Province of Canterbury, viz. :— 1. The Town of Christchurch, 2. The Christchurch Country District, shall be at some convenient place in the Town of Christchurch to be specified by the Returning Officer. 3. The Town of Ltttelton, shall be at some convenient place in the Town of Lyttelton to be specified by the Returning Officer. 4. The Akaroa. District shall be at some convenient place at Akaroa' to be specified by the Returning Officer.

PROVINCE OF OTAGO. The Polling Places for the following Districts in the Province of Otago, viz. : — 1. Thb Town op Ddnedin, 2. The Dcnedin Country District, shall be at some convenient place or places in the Town of Dunedin or in the Dnnedin Conntry District to be specified by the Returning Officer. 36. Additional Polling Places. If additional Polling Places are found necessary for any of the Districts in the above mentioned Provinces, they shall be at such places as the Governor, or the Superintendent of the Province, may from time to time, by public notice, appoint. 37. — Principal Returning Officers of Capital Towns. The Principal Returning Officer of the Capital Town of eaih Province shall be the Resident Magistrate of the District in which such Capital Town is situated, or such other person as the Governor may from time to time appoint.

Returning Officers. The Returning Officers for the above mentioned Electoral Districts in the Islands of New Zealand, and situated respectively in the Provinces above named, shall be the Resident Magistrate residing in the District, or such other person as the Governor, or the person deputed by him in that behalf, may from time to time appoint. 38. — Writs for Elections. The Writs for the Election of the Superintendents of Provinces, of the Members of the House of Representatives, and of the Members of the Provincial Councils, shall be issued by the Governor under his hand, and shall be directed to the Returning Officer for the District, and shall state the number of days within which such Writs shall be made returnable to the said Governor. 39^-Iswe of Writs for supplying Vacancies _ % in Prca^ncial Councils. Whenever it shall be established to the satisfaction of the Superintendent of any one of the Provinces as aforesaid, that the seat of any Member of the Provincial Conncil of such Province has become vacant, the Superintendent shall forthwith issue a Writ for the Election of anew Member to serve in the place so vacated during the remainder, of the term of the continuance of such Council, and no longer. 40.—- -Day* for Nomination and Election how fxed. The Returning Officer shall endorse on the Writ the day on which he may have received it, and shall fix the day of Nomination, and also the day on which the voting, if necessary, shall take place, and shall give not less than Fourteen days Public Notice thereof respectively. 41. — Returning Officer to preside at Nomination. On the day of Nomination so to be fixed as aforesaid, the Returning Officer shall preside at a meeting to bflpholden at noon, at the chief Polling Place for the District, and shall declare the purpose tor which such meeting is held: And if at such meeting there be no more candidates proposed than the number of Members to be returned, the Returning Officer shall declare such Candidate or Candidates i to be duly elected, and shall: make his return accordingly. 42. — In case of a Contest, In the event of there being more Candidates than the cumber to be elected, the Returning Officer shall call for a show of hands separately in favour of each Candidate, and after such shew of hands, shall declare the person or persons on whom the Election has fallen, and shall return the same accordingly, unless a Poll be demanded by some one of the Candidates, or by not less than six Electors on his behalf. 43. — In case a Poll be demanded. On such demand as aforesaid being mae> for a Poll, the Polling shall be taken on th day so to be fixed as aforesaid, the voting o commence at any time after nine o'clock of &c said day, and to close at four o'clock in,he afternoon of the same day. 44.— The Polling. The Polling shall take place befo* the Returning Officer or his Deputy, ad the voting shall be conducted in the maoer following, that is to say,'— 45. — Mode of Voting, Every Elector for the District ay volj for any number of persons not ezeeding the number of persons then to be cbsen, by delivering to the Returning Officer r his Deputy a Voting Paper containing the GHstiart names and Surnames of the persons %• whom he votes, together with their plae of abode and description, and signed with te nanae of the Elector so voting, and settig forsa his own place of abode aud description. . / 46. — What enquiry may i made. No enquiry shall be penittefl at any such Election as to the right oLay person to vote except only as follows that b to say, the 1 Returning Officer or hi deputy shall, if re-

quired by any two Electors for the District, put j to any voter at the time of his delivering in of ] his Voting Paper, and not afterwards, the following questions, and no others : — 1. Are you the persort whose name is signed as (A.8.) to the Voting Paper now delivered in by you ? 2. Are you the person whose name appears as (A.8.) on the Electoral Roll now in force for the District of ( ) ? 3. Have you already voted at the present Election ? And no person required to answer any of the said questions shall be permitted or qualified to vote until he shall have answered the same, the first two affirmatively, and the last negatively. 47. — State of the Poll in certain cases to be declared. As soon as conveniently may be 'after the Election of Members of the House of Representatives, and of Members of the Provincial Council, shall have been held, the Returning Officer for the District shall, at the place of nomination, openly declare the state of the Poll, and thall at the same time declare the name or names of the person or persons who may have been duly elected at such election. And in the event of the number of votes being found to have been iqual for any two or more Candidates, he shitty by bis casting vote declare which of the said Candidates shall be elected : Provided that no Returning Officer shall vote at any Election of which be is the Returning Officer, except in the case of an equality of votes as aforesaid. 48. — Names of Persons elected Members of the House of Representatives or of a Provincial Council to be inserted in Writ, The name or names of the person or persons so elected as Member of a Provincial Council, or as Member of the House of Representatives, shall be inserted in or endorsed upoi the Writ by the Returning Officer ; and such Writ shall be returned by him to the Goverior or to the Superintendent, in the case of an Election to supply a vacancy in the Provincial Council within the time by which such Writ may be returnable. ° 49. — State of the Pott in certain case/ to be declared. As soon as conveniently may be after the voting for the Election of a Superintendent of a Province has closed in any Electoral District, the Returning Officer of such district shall openly declare the state of the B>ll, and shall, as soon as conveniently may be/transmit a certified copy of the same to the principal Returning Officer of the Capital Tow. of the Province for which such Election mayaaye taken .place ; and such Principal Returning Officer, so soon as he has received from tte several Returning Officers of each Electora' District in the Province certified copies of tie state of the Poll in each District, shall opejly declare and publicly notify the same ; and ihall at the same tim? openly declare and puHicly notify the name of the person who may teve been duly elected at such Election, by a majority of the voters of the whole Province, to b« Superintendent thereof : And, in the eventgf the number of votes being found t*.b*ve beoilmpl for any two or more Candidates, s^&h Principal Returning Officer shall, by his c*atus vote, declare which of the said Candidates stall be elected ; provided that such Principal Retailing Officer shall not vote at the Election fir the Superintendent of the Province of whch he is Principal Returning Officer, except h the case of an equality of votes as aforesaid 50. — State of tk Poll in each District to be inserted in Writat Election for Superintendent. The Returnhg Officer for each Electoral District, at the flection for the office of Superintendent, shal insert in or endorse upon the Writ the stale of the Poll when the voting in the District closed; and such Writ shall then be returned by him to the Governor within the time by which such Writ may be returnable. 51.— Voting Papers to be preserved. The Voting papers, at such Election, shall be kept, for tbs space of six calendar months after such Election, by the Returning Officer, who shall pernit any Elector to inspect the same upon paymeit of one shilling. 52.— New Writ in certain cases. In case my Writ to be issued by the Governor, or ty any Superintendent, for supplying a vacancy shall not be duly executed, or in case no valid Section shall be made by virtue thereof, the &overnorsr Superintendent, as the case may bt, shall issue a new Writ, directing the Retuning Officer to proceed to a Public Election, n manner and subject to the provisions hereinbefore prescribed. J3.— Objections t^VUidity of Return of Superintendents. All complaints of the undue return of Superinendents of Provinces shall be addressed in he form of Petition to the Governor of New Zealand; stating Xh.t general objections. But no such Petition shall be noticed, nor any proceedings t^ en thjereon, unless it be signed by some person who" was a Candidate at the Election whereof it may be alleged that an undue Return wasNnade, or by a number of persons who voted, ox* were qualified to have voted at the said Election, amounting to not less than one-twentieth of the whole number on the List of Electors ; and no such Petition shall be noticed which shall not be delivered to the Principal Returning Officer^ of the Capital Town of the Province, for immediate transmission to the Governor, within fourteen days from the day of Election ; nor unless a copy thereof shall have been served upon the party whose Return shall be objected to within such period of fourteen days as aforesaid. 54. — Objections to Validity of Return of Members of the House of Representatives. All complaints of the undue Return of Members to serve in the House of Representatives shall be addressed in the form of Petition to the Governor, stating the ground of objection. But no Petition shall be noticed, nor any proceedings had thereon, unless it be signed by some person who was a Candidate at the Election whereof it may be alleged that an undue Return was made, or by a number of persons who voted, or who were qualified to have voted at the said Election, amounting to not less than one-twentieth of the whole number on the List of

Electors; and no such Petition shall be noticed which shall not be delivered to the Returning Officer of the District, for immediate transmission to the Governor, within twenty-one days from the day ol Election; nor unless a copy thereof shall have been served npon the party whose Return Bhall be objected to within such period of tvreaty-onedays as aforesaid. Within ten days after any such Petition shall have been received at the Office o£ the Civil Secretary from the Returning Officer, if the General Assembly be then sitting, or if the Assembly be not then sitting* within ten days after its next meeting, the Governor, or some other person duly authorised by him in that behalf, shall cause such Petition to be referred to the said General Assembly, and the validity of the Return so complained of shall be decided by such General Assembly, or by such other tribunal and in such manner as the said Assembly shall j direct and appoint. 55. —Objections to Validity of Return of Members of Provincial Council. All complaints of the undue return of Members to serve in the Provincial Councils shall be addressed in the form of Petition to the Superintendent of the Province, stating the ground of objection. But no Petition shall be noticed, nor any proceedings had thereon, unless it be signed. by some person who tos a Candidate at the Election whereof it may be alleged that an undue return was made, or by a number of persons who voted, or who were qualified to have voted at the said Election, amounting to not less than one-twentieth of the whole number on the List of Etectors. And no such petition shall be noticed vhich shall not be delivered to the Returning Officer of the District, for immediate transmission to the Superintendent of the Province, within twenty-one days from the day of Election j nor unless a copy thereof shall have been served upon the party whose return shall be objected to within such period of twentyone days as aforesaid. Within ten days after any such Petition shall have been received by the Superintendent from the Returning Officer, if the said Council be then sitting, or if the 'Council be not then sitting, within ten days after its next meeting the Superintendent, or some other person duly authorised by him in that behalf, shall cause such Petition to be referred to the said Council, and the validity of the Return so complained of shall be decided by such Council, or by such other tribunal and in such manner as the said Council shall direct and appoint. 56. —Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Lyttelton, and Dunedin, to be deemed Towns for purposes of this Proclamation; and Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, and Dunedin, to be deemed Capital Towns for the purposes of this Proclamation. And I hereby further proclaim and declare, That Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Lyttelton, and Dunedin, shall be deemed and taken to be Towns for the purposes of this Proclamation: And I hereby further proclaim and declarer That, for the purposes of this Proclamation, the Town of Auckland shall lie deemed and taken to be the Capital Town of the "Froviiice of ; the Town of New Plymouth to be the Capital Town of the Province of New Plymouth; the Town of Wellington to be the Capital Town of the Province of Wellington; the Town of Nelson to be %c Capital Town of the Province of Nelson; the Town of Christchurch to be the Capital Town of the Province of Canterbury; and the Town of Dunedin to be the Capital Town of the Province of Otago. 57. —Proclamation to take effect from date. This Proclamation shall take effect from the day of the date hereof. Given under my hand, and issued under the Public Seal of the Islands of New Zealand, at Government-House, at (L.S.) Wellington, in the Province of Wellington, in the Islands aforesaid, this Fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three. G. GREY, Governor-in-Chib*/ By His Excellency's command, AcnßD Dombts, Civil Secretary. Goo Save the Queen !