POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7871, 23 May 1891, Page 6

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

THE NEW ELECTORAL ACT.

(By Telegraph.)

[PROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON, May 22.

Mr J. G. Ward (Postmaster-General) is going to build extensive premises in Wellington, and has secured one of the most valuable sites in this city, namely, the corner of Grey street and Custom House Quay, close to the Queen's Wharf, and at present occupied by the Queen's bond. He has purchased the lease from the Wellington Harbor Board, and will erect a large building so soon as he can obtain possession. Mr Ward goes South to-morrow in the R.M.S. Kaikoura.

The Government decline to give any definite information as to the progress of the loan conversion operation, merely stating that it is going on satisfactorily. Thia report does not quite agree with information I have received from sources usually very well informed in financial matters. Through these channels I hear that the con. version so far has been by no means an unqualified success, but has narrowly escaped complete failure. I hear that in consequence of, this poor success only about half the sum originally calculated upon will be set free from sinking fund and rendered available for Public Works Appropriation. It is said that at pressent only about -8300,000 appears likely to be released. This will necessarily make a considerable difference in Ministers' plans with regard to Publio Works extension.

[press association telegram.]

WELLINGTON, May 22. The Hons. Messrs Ward and Seddon both go South to-morrow or Sunday. The Publio Trust Commission has applied to Government to extend the Commission for a month, but the request has been declined, as the Government are of opinion that the report should be ready for presentation when Parliament meets.

The Bill which Government propose to introduce in the ensuing Parliament for conducting the elections of members of the House of Representatives is out of the printer's hands. It contains 167 clauses, and the title is "The Electoral Act of 1891," The principal features are that no person shall register on more than one electoral roll of the colony, irrespective of number of qualifications, but shall make a choice of the district in which he desires to be enrolled, and his name is to be transferred on his removal from that district to another. The Registrar shall expunge from the roll the name of every person who, not being a candidate at the election, fails to record his vote; but provision is made by which the name may be reinstated for every general election. The Governor shall, not iter than fourteen days after the dissolution or expiry of the last previous Parliament, direct the Clerk of Writs to proceed with the elections, the polling day to be a public holiday. Persons making beta, wagers, or other risks on the result of the elections to be liable to a penalty not exceeding j620. The Election Petitions Act, 1880, and Corrupt Practices Prevention Act, 1881, apply to all elections under this Act, and the foil owing Acts are thereby repealed :—Maori Representation Act, 1867; Maori Representation Act Amendment Act Continuance Act, 1872; Maori Representation Act Continuance Act, 1876; Qualification of Electors Act, 1879; Registration of Electors, 1879; Regulation of Elections Act, 1881; Electoral Acts Amendment Act, 1887 ; Representation Act Amendment Act, 1887; sections 8 to 12 Representation Act Amendment Act, 1889; section 4 Representation Act Amendment Act, 1890; Electoral Acts Amendment Act, 1890.