TRUSTEES OF ESTATES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XII, Issue 940, 28 July 1877, Page 7

TRUSTEES OF ESTATES.

Sir, — At the late Road Board Election at Spring Creek a question arose as to the right of Trustees to vote for property under their control. Will you kindly inform me whether a person can vote for property which he simply holds iu trust. — I am, &c, Ratepayer. [No person can vote whose name does not appear on the Voters' Roll. Whether it is on such roll or not is a matter entirely under the charge of the person entitled to vote, in this way : The voters roll is constructed from the valuation list, and it is the duty of a person entitled to examine the same, and see whether the officers have inserted such name ; in case of omission a mode is prescribed of reference to the Revision Court, which has power to insert it if it sees proper to do so. As to the right of Trustees !to have their names inserted/ it is evident that only one .person can"'be charged for a property, and the " occupier " is the person primarily liable ; where the owner is himself the occupier he takes the right of course, as also where property is let for a less term than six months. Where "any bank, joint-stock or other company, firm, copartners or joint-tenants" occupy any property, they !maj byj serving a notice in writing on the valuer before the valuation list is made up, nominate, some member, or officer who shall be deemed to be the " occupier." In default of such nomination, the manager of firm, co-partnership, or tenancy, or the person whose name is ordinarily used as the first or leading name, shall be deemed to be the occupier. If Trustees or Executors can be deemed to come under any of the above designations, it appears to us that" by taking the proper steps they would be entitled to vote.— Ed, M. jE?.]