A Polling Difficulty.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 82, 11 April 1904, Page 2

A Polling Difficulty.

ONE VOTE OR FOUR?

In view of the approaching 'mnvoral election, an interesting point, has arisen ns to how many votes certain electors have. The position is explained, savs the Ua.wera Stiur, in the following' letter sent by the Town Clerk to Mr T F Martin, Secretary of the Municipal Association :-"l)ear Sir.-Will vou kindly advise me on flit; following point. Mr Blank, of Unworn, is (I) a ratepayer in his own right (oi manager of a Hank, the .bunk wing a ratepayer, fit) trustee i,*, two separate estates, each estate being a ratepayer. Question : In municipal elections, or loan polls, how im,,nv voles is Mr Klank entitled to? |'„ previous elections he has boon allowed foiik-, hint il appears to me that under the municipal Corporations Act. he should only have one ami Hint, would disfranchise the bank ami two estates. On the other hand, if he is entitled to four his wife would also be entitled to four (would she not ?). which appears absurd." In this connection the Town Clerkpreviously asked tho advice of the borough solicitor (Mr Harton), who replied : ",f think that under sections I.'!, 15 and Hiofthe Municipal Corporations Act, 19(10, the answer must ]*> thiti .an elector can onlv possess one. vote, mid that l.fs name can only appear once on the district electors' list, or district electors'roll of tin undivided borough. Ibitler section 22 no perso.l can vole either for mayor or councillor, or upon any proposal, unless his name shall appear upon Hie roll. And where the propositi, unless liis name shall npvoler on the list 'l(v virtue d' a, residential cpralilication is barred. Submniler -by expressly enacting that ■every elector shall have one vote and no more at each pull at which he is entitled to vole.' In general elections and polls on rate ami hum tjucsliom; tin. voter yod refer to is entitled to one vote onlv."