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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3981, 1 October 1881, Page 2

Now that electoral matters are exciting gome interest in this community, the following clauses in the new Act just passed, known as the Corrupt Practices Prevention Act may be of interest, both to candidates and their friends :—

Clause 13 :—" No payment or contract for payment shall, for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of a candidate at any election, be made—(a) On account of the conveyance of electors to or from the poll, whether for the hiring of carriages, for railway fares, or otherwise -, or (b) For bands, torches, flags, banners, cockades, ribbons, or other marks of distinction: or (d) For exhibitiug bills, addresses, or notices, or tor the use of any house, building, erection, place, board, or thing for the purpose of any such exhibition; or (i>) With the exceptions authorised by the first aud Bceoud schedultfs lo this Act, iv respoct of

any matter whatever. If any payment or contract for payment is made in contravention of this section either before, during, or after aii election, the person making such payment shall be guilty of an illegal practice, and any person being a party to any such contract, or receiving such payment, shall also be guilty of an illegal practice."

Clause 17: "A person guilty of an illegal practice shall, on summary convic tion, be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, and be not capable during a period of three years from the date of his conviction—(a) Of being registered as an elector or votiug at any election in New Zealand, whether it be a Parliamentary election or an election for a public office within the meaning of this Act; or (b) Of holding any public or judicial office within the meauing of this Act; and if he holds any such office the office shall be vacated.

The number of men who may be employed in any capacity in an election is also strictly limited, viz.: (1) One scrutineer for each ballot-box in each polling pla-36, and no more, who may or may not be au elector. (2) A number of clerks and messengers for conducting business in the committee rooms, not exceeding one clerk and one messenger for each pollingplace in an electoral district. Legal expenses are confined to—(1) The perso nal expenses of the candidate. (2) The expenses of priutiDg, and the expenses of advertising in newspapers. (3) The expenses of stationery, postage, and telegrams. (4) The expenses of holding public meetings. (5) The expenses of a number of committee rooms, not exceeding cne committee room for each polling place in an electoral district. (6) Expenses in respect of miscellaneous matters, not exceeding twenty five pounds.