COURTENAY ROAD BOARD ELECTION.

Press, Volume XXXV, Issue 4823, 19 January 1881, Page 3

COURTENAY ROAD BOARD ELECTION.

TO THB BDITOB OF THE PHBBS. Sib, — Before charging the relurningofficers at the late Oourtenaj Board elestion with illegal action, it would have been better if Mr McClelland had made a few enquiries, which would hare obviated the necessity for hia effusion in your issue of today, which thowe hie ignorance of the manner in which the election was conducted. The election was carried out in compliance with the Canterbury Eoade Ordinance, 1872, whioh does not provide for vote by ballot, and instructs the returning-officers to enquire of each elector the name of the candidate or candidates he means to vote for, and to ice that he signs his name or affixes his mark in the proper plaoe. Probably this is what Mr McOlellard refer* to when he sayi, "a relurning-officer stuck up a number of the electors when they presented themselves at the polling-booth, end demanded of them whom they meant to vote for." This, of course, Wing his duty as prescribed in the Ordinance. If Mr McClelland wants vote by ballot, he should endeavor to get the Local Elnctions Act pat in force in the district, which provides for it. As one of the returning.officers, I may say that I was quite unaware of the " strong religious feeling introduced into, the eleotion" referred to by Mr McClelland. Yours, &c, Fbbdk. N. Fobtbb, Deputy Beturninjf-officer at late Courfcenay Road Board Election. Courtenay, Jannary 17th, 1881.