Registration of Electors.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VII, Issue 326, 8 February 1876, Page 7

Registration of Electors.

Although it is possible that a new system of registration may be established before the electors will have again to exercise the franchise, it is not the less desirable that as much use as possible should be made of the provisions of the existing law. It has been very largely due to the active registration which has been carried out in the Grey Valley that the second representative was given to the district, and as it is quite within the bounds of probability that there may be another general election before the Usual period, it behoves all who are not at present upon the electoral roll, or who have changed their qualifications, to send in their claims to vote during the months of January, February, and March—the legal period for registration. Whilst upon this subject we may remind those who have hitherto been debarred from getting their names upon the roll on account of their living in lodgings that " The Lodgers Franchise Act, 1875," came into practical operation on the Ist January, under the provisions of which lodgers are entitled to be registered as voters under certain conditions, which may be summarised as follows :—The lodger must be of full age, and not subject to any legal incapacity, and have " occupied in the same electoral district separately, and as a sole tenant for twelve months preceding the last day of December in any year, the same lodgings, such lodgings being part of one and the same dwelling-house and of a clear annual value, if let unfurnished, of ten pounds or upwards," and must have resided in such lodgings during the twelve months immediately preceding the last day of December in such year. Proper forms of application may be obtained from the Returning Officer. The form contains a declaration that the ap plicant has been " during the twelve months preceding the last day of December in last year, the occupier as sole tenant," of the above-mentioned lodgings, and that he has " resided therein during the twelvemonths immediately preceding the said last day of December, and that such lodgings are of a clear yearly value, if let unfurnished, of ten pounds or upwards." To comply with the condition " sole tenant" it is only necessary that the lodger is in the sole occupation of a bed-room or sitting-room, and that he has been in occupation for twelve months.— Cfrey llimt Argus.