Lake Wakatip Mail. QUEENSTOWN, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1879.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1109, 6 March 1879, Page 2

Lake Wakatip Mail. QUEENSTOWN, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1879.

In view of a pending dissolution of the Assembly soon after its next sitting it is a matter of no small importance to the general public, as well as to themselves, that duly qualified non-electors should lose no time in availing themselves of the opportunity of registering their names on the Electoral Roll for the district—the i eric d allowed for which will terminate at the end of this month. Despite what Sir George Grey may say to the contrary, the electoral franchise, as now in force, is a very liberal one—providing, as it does, amongst other advantages, for a lodger's suffrage. The fault, if any, of the Electoral Act is that it only provides for registration during the first three months of the year, and the length of time (not till October) that has to elapse before the new Roll can come into force. The Electoral Bill last Session provided a new system by making up Rolls in March and September, but the preliminary process was as cumbersome as that at present required. Neither was it more liberal except in respect to the female suffrage, and the additional voting power it would have given to the Maori. Moreover, it required a two years' residence iu the Colony and six months in one district, as against six months at preset,t. It also did away with the miner's right franchise,

However, we have to deal with the existing state of things, and as previously remarked, in view of a probable appeal to the Country, it is very desirable that every one should register his name. The political power and intelligence of a district also are judged very much by the numerical strength of its Electoral Roll. The miner's right franchise remains intact, but we think it would be preferable that the names of women should appear on the Roll. The other qualifications are freehold, leasehold and household, and the lodgers'. We therefore once more urge qualified enrolled persons not to delay the registration of their names. Forms can be obtained at the Court-houses in the district, as well as from this office, and from some private individuals. The names of several probable candidates are already mentioned, and should occasion arise the coming struggle is likely to be a keen one. Let no man therefore negligently deprive himself of a voice in the return of the best and fittest candidate to represent the district. In conclusion we repeat the oft repeated advice —Register ! Register !! Register !!!

The 1; irge amount of work which seems to be accumulating in the hands of the County engineer, is likely to lead Councillors into difficulties with their constituents, unless some other means be adopted. In nearly every portion of the County work is in arrears or was set down, at last meeting, for attention fcy the engineer. Members were striving for precidence in the carrying out of their resolutions, and it is to be feared that motions last tabled will have a poor chance of realisation for some time in the present state of affairs. The majority of works decided upon require attention without delay —especially in the face ot a very severe winter which is fast coming on, and some of them are urgent. For instance the formation of the Macetown track over which—owing to the impassable nature of the road, according to the member for the riding —it was impossible to convey quartz crushing machinery required to work the mines. That unfortunate Skippers track, washed away during the late flood' , is still impassable, and the consequence is that packing is LS a ton on ordinary goods, whilst pieces of machinery would have either to remain at this end or, when practicable, have to be reduced to a disadvantageous weight. We think this might have been avoided, and that much of the work could have been safely entrusted to the inspector, who during his service under the Council has piovcd himself quite able to undertake the responsibility, even though it may have to be done by instructions from the engineer. We hope it is not too late yet to do something in the direction indicated.