THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PROVINCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4408, 30 December 1875, Page 3

THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PROVINCE.

To the Editor of the Herald. Sir, —I see in the Weekly Herald of December 11, in Mr. May's address to the electors at Papakura, he is reported to have stated, in reference to it being asserted that the province of Auckland was unfairly represented, that "On the 30th of June, 1875, there were 74 members in the House, and at that time, according to the statistics, the average for each member was 4027 persons. In the province of Auckland Jiiere were 75,411 inhabitants, and 16 members, so that each member represented 4713 person?, but was 114 below the average for each representative in the last Parliament." J. cannot understand hoW he came to such conclusion, for if each of the 74 membeiß represented 4027 persons, and each o£ the Auckland members represented 4713, the latter must each have represented 656 more than an- average of the whole House, and not 114 below, as stated. I can scarcely think he would make such a statement to ■ intentionally mislead his audience, but if unchallenged it is calculated to deceive the electors of the province, which is an important matter just at the approaching general election. If I aia correet, a member for every 4027 (the ' average given for the whole House), the province of Auckland is now entitled to IS members instead of 16, and 2920 persons remaining towards a claim for a third extra, member.—l am, &c,, E. Knaggs. (Bot continuation of news see Supj>loment.J