The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1876.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 178, 23 December 1876, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1876.

The election of three members to serve for the Otoia Hiding of the County of Paten, comes off on Wednesday next, and, therefore', though possibly a day before the fair, it is well to have a farewell word respecting it. In the first place, we may observe that there lias been the utmost muddle in reference to those qualified to vote, and that trouble Ims already arisen in respect to the early 'elections. The advices from the Under-Secretary’s office have been of the most contradictory character—at one time stating one thing, and at the next moment almost another. The question is now, however, pretty well pat an cud to. Something very nearly approaching to universal suffrage has been ordained by the ruling, deity,-Major Atkinson, only without the preliminary of registration; Every one in the district, according to the Premier’s edict, is entitled to vote —that is to say, any one who is rated, who is liable to bo rated, or who, under any perversion of circumstances, could possibly be rated. Besides this, the Government have

iltosretlier.irps-'t. their early ruling, that ■mmlativo voting would not be allowed, and have permitted the Road Board syst'4ll, und(T the Taranaki Roads and Bridges Ordinance, to prevail. Possibly this may be right, but we certainly lad to see it. That s 'tilers should have privileges in accordance with tin iv responsibilities is equitable, but that the country should bounder Road Board rule w-iol.y, is 100 bid. Take Uiiriyle, Ha worn, Wairon, or other places. There are buildings of great value in cadi, buildings that are of greater value than many settlers’ holdings, still their proprietors have but a single vote, us against a duplicate or triplicate. In Wairon, the Wellington Highway Ordinance will obtain, and under it, in some cases, live votes will be recorded. This state of affairs cannot be regarded by the settlers themselves as thorough fair-play to the townships, and will have the effect of putting in au exclusively country council, it should be remembered that the people of the townships are as much affected by the County Council as the residents iu the rural districts, and therefore they should be entitled to the same privileges. Such, however, will not be the case, according to the latest authorities. It is only to bo hoped that, as the country people have evidently all the power in their hands, they will use it wisely and well, by electing men who are not only capable of discharging minor public duties, but of initiating a new system, and administering the affairs of so important a County as that of Patea will be.