CORRESPONDENCE.

West Coast Times, Issue 73, 21 November 1865, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE GOLD FIELDS REPRESENTATION ACT,

TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE " WEST COAST TIMES."

Sib, — When I carried a Bill through, the General Assembly for giving to the West Coast a representation in the Provincial Counoil of Canterbury, it never occurred to me that my labors would be frustrated by a most unexpected interpretation of the law, which confines the privilege of sitting in the Counoil to those who hare their name on the Electoral Roll of the Province, Had I had the slightest idea that such was the case, I should have so worded my Bill as to have avoided so obvious an injustice. But I may be pardoned for having made such an oversight when I tell you that, although Goldfield members for the House of Representatives have been elected for three years by tho Otago miners, this question has never yet been raised. I did jkql, therefore, think that anything was necessary further tkan to take the Miners' Representation Acts as they stood, and apply them to the case of tho West Coast in the Provincial Counoil. Immediately, however, on hearing the difficulty which occurred in Weatland, I wroto to Otago, and I have also hal the opportunity of speaking to one of the Goldfield members la tbe General Assembly. I And that, as a matter of fftot, the Goldfield members who have sat in the Assembly have not, in every case, had their names on any electoral roll. lam bound lo say that I think the Constitution Act does require the name to bo on the roll. I do not sco bow the difficulty can bo legally evaded ; but the contrary opinion appears to havo been aoted on in Otago without question. It is not, therefore, surprising that it escaped not only my notice but that of both the Goldfields members fa tho House of Representatives, who might have been supposed to bo fully informed on the working of theAot. Having taken somo trouble to obtain this act of justice for the West Coast, I am anxious to express through your columns my great disappointment at tho decision which makes your representation a more fared. I quite admit that if those who have votes have not the power to elect one of theinselvos to represent them, tho election is a porfeot farce. Although the mistake has not originated with me, I can only assure your roaders how much I regret the result, and promise thorn that I will do tuy best to have it rectified in the next session of tho Assembly. — I am, air,

Your obedient servant, Jambs Edward FitzQekili/ ? M.H.Ri Christchurch, Nov. 13, 1865,