THE STANDARD. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1873.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 32, 5 March 1873, Page 2

THE STANDARD.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1873.

“ We shall sell to no man justice or right : We shall deny to no man justice or right: We shall defer to no man justice or right.”

Independently of any one question, individually considered, we are glad to see a little stir in the community on the question of Registration. The apathy that exists on this question will be regretted when the time comes for action. There is no excuse for ignorance on a point of so much importance, which is well ventilated by the Colonial Press during the Registration months of the year.’ In view of the new Representation Bill becoming law, the Provincial Government should have forced upon the General Government the advisability of making some provision for registering votes in this district during the whole period allowed by the Act; as it is, the necessity for Registration papers going to Maketu practically deprives us of two or three weeks freedom in this respect. Therefore, it is at.the risk of appearing to be tedious in the expressions of our anxiety ; and to the setting aside of much interesting matter, that we sound a last warning note, to impress upon the attention of all that as matters stand, we have no choice, and no alternative. The Regist ration papers must be in the hands of the Registration Officer AT MAKETU by the 31st of this month, failing which a whole year will be lost; a belief, we know, is abroad to the effect that if the papers are signed before that-date it will suffice, no matter what time they are in the hands of the Government. This is an error. Clause VII of the Electors’ Registration Act provides that “ No such claim and declaration shall be received unless it be given to the Registration officer of the Electoral District in respect of which such claims shall be made in the months of January February or March in the year in which it is preferred.” Space forbids us dwelling upon this subject; but we would appeal once more to the good sense of the settlers t o consider well the many cognate subjects which will require a watchful care and exercise of all the power we possess to hold our own in the struggles that are coming. A new Superintendent has to be elected; a Provincial Councillor ditto; and, with a probable re-distribution of seats in the House of Representatives by the next Parliament which would give us a member, it is our bounden dutv to protect the privileges we. affect to prize when they are withheld.

Registration Papers.—Dr. Nesbitt informs us that some of the claims to vote which have been left with him, are not signed at the foot by the claimant, which they should be to validate them. Mb. Wyllie’s claim on the Gisborne Town Block, inasmuch as he was not a signing party to the deed of sale, as well as Mrs. Wyllie, to the Government, has at last received the sanction of the Government, that is, as far as the principle is concerned. Before beginning the sale last Wednesday, Mr. Cuff, who appeared for Mr. Wyllie, protested against any further alienation of the land until his client s claim had been satisfied. Whereupon the Provincial Secretary informed him, and the public, that it was unnecessary, as the General and Provincial Governments were attempting to come to some arrangement by which compensation would be given to Mr. Wyllie for his interest in *the Block in question.