THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1902. Notes and Comments.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 277, 1 November 1902, Page 2

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1902. Notes and Comments.

It may be well, in view of the near approach of the the elections, to sumoia* electoral rise a few important act. alterations in the law which electors ought to be acquainted with. Section 25 provides that all returned contingenters who have attained their majority during their absence, can be placed on the roll upon their return, although they may not have resided for three months in the district in respect of which they claim. By section 81 the duration of a seaman's electoral right is extended from four months to a year. "With the exception of scrutineers, and clerks and messengers in the committee room, and these latter must not be electors a candidate makes himself guilty'of illegal practices who engages for payment or promise of payment, f/ nny clerks, messengers, committeemen, canvassers, or any others with the above exceptions. Any person making a wager on the result of an election is liable to a £2O fine, and conveyances to take electors to or from the poll, bands, torches, flag? banners, etc., must not be paid for! Section 148 is a new provision, ai d readaas follows :—'* Every person

who at any time between the issue o! a writ and the day of the poll publishes, or exposes, or causes to be published or exposed to public view, any doceraenfc, or writing, or printed matter containing any untrue statement defamatory of any candidate and cabulated to influence the vote of any elector, is liable to a penalty not exceeding £SO, or to imprisonment for any period not exceeding three months." This last is an example of legislation for the legislators, and great care will be necessary by editors and others that the eleotion does not cost them dear.

A breezy incident occurred in Balclutha the other night. A'• spaniel" employed in nosing out sly groceries and accompanied by his wife, put up ac one of the hotels. In the middle of night the lady had a habit; of getting " Balclutha rheumatism " for •which the only remedy is mm hot, purchased in the presence of a witness. The husband then rushed but with bare feet and excited demeanour and besought the nearest neighbour to bring liquor to save his wife's'life or take him where he could get it. The game worked on two or three occasion. One day the spaniel was standing on the doormat of his pub when a purveyor of crated waters came in with a load of soft tack, passing the remark " Hullo ! you are still here." "Yes," was the answer, •' I'll be here long enough to catch you." Visions, of his past fourteen days in quod flew past the ginger-pop man's montal vision, and with a wicked snarl he started in to grapple. The spaniel's tail (coat tail) wagged as he drew out a revolver and dared the other to come on at his peril. Hostilities naturally ceased, for even a " pop " bottle was not equal to a popgun. Two informations are to be lodged, so rumour hath it, and two purveyors of spiritual comfort may expect to be boarding at His Majesty's expense during the election. At that time, though probably Conservative in politics, they will be working for the Government.

PROHIMTION I'OINTEKS.