THE ARAHURA HIDING ELECTORAL ROLL.

West Coast Times, Issue 2887, 5 July 1878, Page 2

THE ARAHURA HIDING ELECTORAL ROLL.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, — It may be worth while, perhaps, to explain to Mr E. Pfeifer how it is that he is not on the roll of County electors of the riding of Arahura, for the current year. I must remark, however, that there is an unpleasant ring about his letter in this day's Times, and he makes charges, insinuations, and statements for which there is not one particle of foundation in fact. Probably he is smarting from the annoyance of being informed that he had no vote, after going to the trouble of attending the polling-booth, and on that account his temper is to be excused. The electoral rolls of ridings are compiled from two lists, namely, the valuation list of ratepayers in the riding, and the list of persons to whom miners' rights were issued during the year ending on the 31st day of December previous. Now, Mr Pfeifer says "he will lay a wager he will be on the rate-book when the rate becomes due." If he will lay such a wager, he is certain to lose it. He is not

on the valuation list, and of course, therefore, be is not a ratepayer. Further Icannot find that he paid, or was asked to pay, any rate last year. His name is not on the valuation list for two yearß back, at all events. So that he is not qualified to be entered on the electoral roll for the riding, as a ratepayer. As regards the miners right qualification, he is in no better a position. I have before me the lists of persons to whom miners rights were issued, at Stafford, Goldsborough, and Kumara, during the year ended 31st December last. These lists are supplied to this office by the Receivers of Gold Revenue at the places numed, and are certified to as being quite correct lists, and that they are such 1 have not the slightest doubt whatever. Yet, strange t ■ say, no such name as " B. Pfiefer," u.»r uny name like it, appears on any of them. So that by no possibility, could " JS, Pfeifer" have a vote for tbe Arahura Riding. It may be that Mr Pfiefer did, notwithstanding, take out a miners right at Stafford, as he says, at- the date be mentions, but if so, he must be an "alien," or his name would certainly appear is one of the lists furnished to me. I need hardly tell Mr Pfeifer that if he is what Acts of Parliament calls an " alien," he has no vote under the Counties Act. Our legislators seem to have hitherto had 3 perfect horror of educated and philosophical Germans, of vivacious Frenchmen, ot patriotic Poles. In this free country we call these people " aliens," and give them no vote or voice that we can possibly deprive them of. As far as tbe rolls for ridings are concerned they are compiled in strict accordance with the Act ; they are carefully and not carelessly compiled ; and so far from " a good few being disfranchised" fas Mr Pfeifer says), not one name has been, accidentally or otherwise, omitted who was qualified for enrollment. But I notice that thirty rights were issued at Stafford to foreigners during the year above referred to, and their names, of course, are not returned to me, for the Counties Act calls them " aliens," and refuses to give them electoral privileges. I am, &c, H. Richardson Rae. County Clerk.

County Chambers, Thursday evening.