THE Western Star AND WALLACE COUNTY GAZETTE, Established 1868. Vincit Amor Patriae. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1897.

Western Star, Issue 2155, 10 November 1897, Page 2

THE Western Star AND WALLACE COUNTY GAZETTE, Established 1868. Vincit Amor Patriae. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1897.

Op making bills there is no end. Judging by the rate of progress so far made by the House, there is not much chance of the principal bills introduced this session finding their way in to the statute book this year. At

the same time, we give a summary of several, as they are sure to be dealt ; with sooner or later. The one dealing with slaughtering and inspection of meat provides that in every case where the population of any borough or town district is not less than 1,500 persons, it shall be the duty of the local authority to establish and register and to maintain an abattoir. Persons slaughtering for family use and bona fide farmers are exempted, but j a record of all animals so slaughtered must be kept as well as of the persons to whom they may be sold, or parts of them, in order that the inspector may trace ownership in the event of diseased meat being found. For any farmer to knowingly slaughter or sell any diseased stock is declared to be unlawful. The Second Ballot is the title of a Bill introduced by the Premier. If at an election for the return of a single member, the candidate receiving the greatest number of votes receives less than the prescribed minimum of votes, then a second ballot shall be taken between him and the candidate who is next on the poll. The minimum is computed by deducting from the total number of voters whose votes were recorded at the poll one-tenth, and then taking the number that is equal to half the residue remaining after such deduction. For instance, supposing there were three candidates for a single electorate. A polled 2,000, B 1,500, and C 1,000. The total valid votes and total voters would be 4.50 J. Less 10 per cent, equal to 450, would reduce the number to 4,050, and this, less one-half-—. 2 ( 025 would give the minimum, 2,025. It will thus be seen that none of the three polled the minimum, and a second election would take place between A and B. The Constitution Act Amendment abolishes life tenure of members of the Legislative Council, and in order to provide foi the gradual retirement of all members # of the Council, who, at the time of the coming into operation of the Act, hold their seats for life, it is declared that in September, 1899, and in each vear thereafter, the five lifemembers" who have then held their seats for the longest period shall cease to be members, but they may be reappointed. If not reappointed they may still retain the title ' honourable ' if the Queen consents, fiave access to the parliamentary library, receive copies of parliamentary papers, and have a free pass over the railways. Women are eligible for appointment as members of the Council. Eegarding the relation of the two Chambers, it Is provided that when a Bill has been twice passed by one House, and twice rejected by the other, the House that passed such Bill may pray the Governo/ to summon a convention of the two Houses for the purpose of deliberating and voting on such Bill, which they shall do as if they were one chamber. The Referendum is also provided for. If a Bill passed by both Houses sitting separately, or if passed by the Combined Chamber, contains a provision that such Bill shall be reserved for the Referendum, or if a resolution is passed by both Houses or by the Combined Chamber in favor of submitting to the Referendum any Legislative proposal (other than the Bill) set forth in such resolution, then such Bill or proposal Bhall be referred to the vote of all the electors entitled to vote for the election of members for the House of 'Representatives, the poll to be taken as in the case of a general election.

It was pretty generally expected after the meeting in the council chamber* that the proposal to borrow ,£2OOO to light the town with electricity would not be carried when referred to the vote of burgesses. At that meeting the result of the vote on the motion that a poll of the burgesses be taken was a tie, and the Mayor very properly gave his casting vote in favor of the motion. The proposal has now been before the burgesses, and out of 163 on the roll, 52 recorded their votes, while of the number of votes exercisable, 40 were cast in favor and 24 against, thus showing that the council were fully warranted in taking the "steps theydid. The majority of votes were in favor, but the poll was not valid owing to the required number of burgesses not having record-d tbeir votes. Although the proposal has been rejected, we think the council should nob relinquish the idea of obtaining a report on the water supplv at South Riverton for future use. It might be useful in many ways.