Alterations in Electrical Districts

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 81, 6 April 1938, Page 12

Alterations in Electrical Districts

CITY BOUNDARY NOW ELECTORAL BOUNDARY

Consequent on the change in the boundary of the Palmerston electorate (which will be known in future as the Palmerston North electorate) made by the Representation Commissions last year, the office of the Registrar of Electors at Palmerston North has been required to undertake additional work. In general terms, the city electorate has been shorn of a strip running right round it, and the city boundary now becomes the electoral boundary. lu some of the electoral districts in New Zealand complete new rolls will have to be prepared, but in the case of Palmerston North the existence of the city boundary has simplified matters to some extent. For several days the matter has been receiving attention, and visits have been paid to those sections where there may be a doubt as to whether residents are within or without the city electorate. The Manawatu river forms a natural boundary on the south, and on the north Boundary road gives a certain demarcation, although those persons living on the city side of the road will be in one electorate and those on the country, or Milson, side in the Manawatu electorate. On the western side of the , electorate the boundary commences from a point between the residence of Messrs. McCorkindale and Rasmussen and follows a fence-line to cross College street west and continue to the Manawatu river, although the fence boundary is by no means one continuous straight line for the whole of the distance. There is also an interesting position ut the eastern end of the electorate. That boundary, following the railway line from the Kelvin Grove crossing, where Boundary road pusses over the railway, goes beuvveen the city power-house and gasworks, one being inside and the other outside the electorate. From that point again the boundary continues on its way to the river. Apart from the present revision of the rolls as a resuit of the boundary changes, there is a continuous cleansing of rolls by registrars. By means of inquiry notices sent out to electors rolls are kept up to date, and they are always thoroughly reliable before being printed for the use of political and licensing organisations. .Since the last general election in 1935 there have been over 78,000 new enrolments in the Dominion, and over 35,000 changes of address have been recorded within electoral districts without the necessity for the completion of new applications for registration by electors. Following inquiries made by registrars during the non-election years since tho last election over 92,000 names have been removed from the rolls, either by transfer, death or other causes. The following figures show the adjustments made in the Palmerston and other electorates in this district between the last election and February 28 last:— 2 'Z £ IcS §9 | £5 So s•§ S a <sl 25 P 5 £ o Pahiatua 435 681 100 Otaki 989 692 148 Manawatu.. .. .. 584 799 161 Oroua 615 525 225 Palmerston .. .. 1275 1390 1055 Rangitikei BSI 947 314 As a result of the alterations in boundaries, Uroua is to be absorbed by Manawatu.