ARROWTOWN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VII, Issue 369, 5 December 1876, Page 6

ARROWTOWN.

(from our own correspondent.)

December 1.

A dramatic entertainment was given by Queenstown lady and gentlemen amateurs here last night (Thursday) in aid of the Queenstown Catholic Presbytery. The subject was a strictly religious one, entitled the "Early Martyrs of Rome." The various parts were well sustained, and the performers letter perfect. The dresses were well put on, and were really rich and artistic, giving an excellent idea of the costume of ancient days. During intervals Mr J, S. Hickson varied the programme with some capital songs, one of which "My Bachelor Days," was loudly applauded, and fairly ''brought down the house." The musical department was in the hands of Mrs James Delaney (piano), and Mr W. Wiltshire (violin), who materially aided the success of the entertainment. The house was well filled, and no doubt it will be a financial success. I think the library committee will, after the contretemps last night through the imperfect method of raising the drop curtain, take the hint from the loud complaints thereon and remedy this defect, as also to fill a comparative " bog-hole" in front of the entrance to the hall, which has been crossed by two rough sticks for the last few years, if not for decency's sake, for utility. The County electoral qualification is causing much discussion and anxiety here, as there seems to be no definite plan laid down in the Act for the carrying out of the first election with regard to votes or their number. We are aware that on or before the 3lst March, this yeai', all Borough qualifications had to be sent in to returning officers to be placed (under revision) on electoral rolls for districts. The present Act reads that Borough voting powers are lost for the County elections, hence a new roll has to be compiled prior to a county election, as many of those who held Borough also held large district qualifications, therefore if the former was substituted on the roll for the latter by the returning officer, it will naturally follow that a voter will be disqualified by Act of Parliament without just cause, he still holding a district qualification. The new Act does not provide for a compilation of a roll for the first election, but provides for a roll and revision by the Ist April, 1877, and gives votes on property valuation pro rata from one to five. The first election is valid for two years, and was to be provided for by the Governor. If the election is to take place prior to the Ist of April, what does it matter about the compilation of rolls then 1 The fairest way would be (to do justice to all) to at once repeal the. Electoral Act of 1875, and defer the election until a new roll can be compiled, or leave it until the Ist of April, 1877. The 1875 Electoral Act has certainly made a most egregious muddle, it should have been repealed two day 3 after its publication. I was amused when reading the leader in' the Wakatip Mail this morning (when commenting on the Counties Bill) to find the following pathetic sentence: "The voting powers of the boroughs are lost."