THE ELECTORAL BILL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 934, 27 October 1879, Page 2

THE ELECTORAL BILL.

The Corrupt Practices Prevention Act, now before the Parliament, contains | twenty-one olauses. The' following offences are deemed bribery : — Giving, lending, or agreeing to lend, or 'giving or offering, or promising to procure any money or valuable consideration, giving or promising any office or place of employmeht, making any gift or loan, advancing or paying, or causing to be advanced or paid, any money to be expended m bribery to secure vbtes.at an | election. Such offences are punished by fine or imprisonment and forfeiture of a hundred pounds to any informant. Conveyances may be provided for voters, but no money paid as travelling expenses. Treating is defined as corruptly, by oneself or any other person, or by any ways or means on the candidate's behalf, before, during, or after election, directly or m directly giving, providing, causing to be given or provided, ' or paying wholly or m part any expenses incurred for any meat, drink, entertainment, or provision to electors. This is punishable by a fine of £50, and ; voidarice of the vote of the person accepting treat. ' Under influence is defined as .threatening, force, . violence, or restraint, damage,- loss, or injury; abduction, fraudulent contrivance to impede j avert, or interfere with the free exercise of the franchise. The penalty is fifty pounds. The names of persons guilty of bribery, ere to be expunged from the Electoral roll and 'inserted On a separate list and published for three years as an appendix to the ' Electoral rolL Persons giving refreshment ; on polling day to an elector on account of his having polled, or being about to poll, are to forfeit 40s. No cockades are to be given at elections, or flag, party banner, or emblem to be displayed, or band of music t6 be employed., Prosecutions and actions, must. . be commenced) within one year, after -cpmmital. Personation is punishable with imprisonment not Exceeding two years. Any candidate who, iby himself or agent, is guilty of bribery, treating, undue influence, ) sor •.■ personation, . \ is . disqualified from:* election to parliament, but the disqualification is reversible -where perjury has been committed.

A witty gentleman, m speaking ar'a. friend .Who was prostrated by illness, remarked thaVhe could hardly recover, since hla constitution was all gone. If his constitution is all gone," said a by* stander >c * Ido not see how he lives at all." " Oh," responded the wag, "he lives on the by-laws !" (> Mamma, I don't think the people who make dolls are very pious people," said a little girl to her mother, one 4lsy*,~. '.'.JEtecause never, make them kneeL I always Have to lay my doll! on' her stomach to say her prayers."