The elson Evening Mail. MONDAY, FEBEUARY 25, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 46, 25 February 1867, Page 2

The elson Evening Mail. MONDAY, FEBEUARY 25, 1867.

Now that the election of Superintendent is pending, all eyes are turned to the electoral roll of the province, and the wise in such matters are dogmatising on the probabilities of this and that candidate being elected. There are 2390 names on the electoral roll, which after allowing for deaths, absentees, and removals, will leave a number considerably below 2000 who will be enabled to exercise the franchise at the coming election, should the whole of those on the roll be disposed to do so. "When Mr. Saunders was elected Superintendent in March, 1865, only 888 electors went to the poll, 454 voting for Mr. Saunders and 434 for Mr. Barnicoat, giving a majority of 20 iv favour of the former. It is not possible to state with accuracy the number that may be expected to vote on this occasion ; but, in all probability, it is hoc likely to be double the number that voted in March, 1865. A great deal will depend upon the stir that shall be made by the candidates at the various polling places. On the electoral roll of 1865-1866 the number of votes is as follows : — Nelson City, 698 ; Suburban North, 117; Suburban South, 1 73 ; Waimea East, 244 ; Waimea South, 558 ; Waimea West, 103 ; Moutere, 99 ; Motueka, 190; Takaka, 106; Collingwood, 74 ; Aniuri, 28 : total, 2390. In reference to the new electoral roll, it may not be out of place to state that the qualification of voters is as follows : — Every man of the age of 21 years or upwards, having a freehold estate in possession, situate withiu the district for which the vote is to be given, of the clear value of £50 above all charges and encumbrances, and to which he has been entitled, either at law or in equity, for at least six calendar months next before the last registration of electors ; or having a leasehold estate in possession, situate within such district, of the clear annual value of £10, held upon a lease which at the time of such registration shall have not less than three years to run ; or having a leasehold estate so situate and of such value as aforesaid, of which he has been in possession for three years or upwards next before such registration ; or being a householder within such district, occupying a tenement within the limits of a town, of the clear annual value of £10, or without the limits of a town, of the clear annual value of £5, and having resided thereon six calendar months next before such registration aforesaid — shall, if duly registered, be entitled to vote at the election of a member or members for the district.