“Disfranchised.”

Patea Mail, 7 January 1882, Page 3

“Disfranchised.”

EVIDENCE FOR INQUIRY. The following letter has been received : Wellington, sth Jan., 1882. Dear Sir, — I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant, complaining of the disfranchisement of a large number of voters in the Egmont electoral district, and requesting that enquiry be made into the matter. I have seen the Colonial Secretary on the subject, and am informed that on his receiving definite information respecting particular cases of omission from or striking off the roll, an official investigation will be at once instituted into the alleged offence. Information should be given and evidence produced of the posting of claims, stating where, when, and by whom posted ; similar information being supplied in respect of claims personally delivered to the Registrar of Electors. I greatly regret that any cause of complaint in this important matter should have occurred. Believe me yours very truly, H. A. Atkinson. E. Houghton, Esq., Patea.

Persons who have grievances of the above nature will oblige by communicating with the Editor of the Daily Mail, not for publication (unless desired), but to furnish evidence in a few clear cases for the Colonial Secretary to inquire into. Now that this matter is taken up by the Government, it should be carried to a proper conclusion. As to claims sent in and not entered on the roll, it will be necessary to make a written declaration, signed by a witness, to the effect that the claim of the person named was posted on or about a certain date, addressed in a certain manner. Where several claims were posted under one cover, give the names, or as many as can be clearly remembered, if a dozen claims were posted, and only two or three names can be remembered, these few will be us effective as the whole dozen, to establish that there has been official error or negligence. Where names have been struck off the roll without notice, state when a name was last on the roll to your knowledge, and that your qualification to vote is the same as before. Some cases are known to ns, but it is for the parties themselves to supply evidence for inquiry, by making a written declaration, attested by a witness. The declaration can be sent to the Colonial Secretary, or it may be forwarded through this office with other cases.