MAORIS ON THE ROLL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 85, 18 June 1880, Page 2

MAORIS ON THE ROLL.

We have received from Mr Boss, [Registration Officer, a communication regarding our recent sub-leader on the Maoris enrolled for this electoral district under the residential qualification. Mr Bobs explains that the retention of the natives on the roll as " residential " is an entire mistake, and that he is taking the necessary steps to have the names removed under the provisions of the Act. In consequence of the error, all copies of the rolls disposed of have beenoalled in, and so soon as the corrections have been made, and the native names erased, copies will be again on sale at the Falmerston and Foxton Post Offices. We are glad that Mr Boss has acted upon our suggestion and taken early action in this matter, as, in case of an election, very grave complication would doubtless have resulted had the natives been permitted to vote under the residential qualification. The procedure for the removal of

names from the. roll is a «tris;|sngling piece of legislation. trar sends notice to tbe person objected to, and if the latter d©c» not witlnn fifteen days apply to hate hia . name removed, the Registrar irafcy" summon him before the Resident Magistrate of the district, when he may be " let in " for costs of the case. The old plan was far simpler, and certainly was more effectual in purging the rolls than the present one is likely to prove. It is to be hoped the Maoris will not " suffer " in the way of costs for the mistake that has been made. "Whilst upon this subject, v?&t&*ss mention that we have received from " Mr H. M'Donald, of Horowheftttft f a large number of names of Horowhenua Maoris, with a request to - place them on the roll, but as they appear to have been sent under tn> :>> " residential " qualification, '(sss£?■ cannot be registered. We may again explain that only those Maoris whose names are enrolled upon a ratepayers' - roll in force in this electoral district, or who own within it a freehold of . the value of £25, can be registered as voters. The names of any such • persons we will gladly forward to the « Registrar, provided they are duly certified by some registered elector.