H.—3.

5

The inquiry was then brought to a conclusion, and it now remains for me to record my opinion. I think it is a pity that Mr. Lundon's petition should have received the degree of consideration extended to it, and the stamp of notoriety always attached to a public inquiry. It is to be deeply regretted that a valuable public officer of Mr. Williams's long standing in the colonial service should, as a consequence, have been subjected to the indignity of having to defend his official character against charges which I can only think of as frivolous and puerile to an extreme; it is a pity also that time and public money should have been wasted upon such an inquiry. Mr. Lundon failed to adduce any testimony whatever in support of, or from which to obtain even a colouring of justification for his rashness in advancing charges of this serious nature, violently attacking the character of an officer who, in the conscientious fulfilment of his duties as guardian of the public interests, was endeavouring to preserve the purity and integrity of the electoral roll of his district, and who acted throughout in strict compliance with the requirements of the law. William Clare, Eussell, Bay of Islands, 23rd March, 1877. Major.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure in No. 10. (A.) —Mr. H. C. Lawlor to the Registration Officer, Russell. Sir,— Auckland, June, 1874. I have the honor to state, for your information, that previous to my starting for Whangarei to hold a Revision Court there on the 10th instant, I entered into a special arrangement with Captain McGregor, of the steamer " Rowena," to take me there on his way to the Bay of Islands, and to call for me at Whangarei Heads either on his return from the Bay or from Auckland, which he agreed to do, wind and weather permitting. Unfortunately he did not do so either way, as the weather was very tempestuous and risky for his vessel. I however have obtained from him a letter explaining his reasons for not calling, so as to enable me to satisfy the Government that it was from no fault of mine that I did not hold my Court at Russell. Under all these circumstances, you will perceive that I have no choice in the matter, but had to submit to circumstances over which I had no control. Accordingly, the law in such cases as the present requires that the existing roll for the Electoral District of Mongonui and the Bay of Islands shall be in force for the year for which a roll has not been made out and completed. I herewith return the electoral roll for Mongonui and Bay of Islands, along with the registration papers. In conclusion, I have to inform you that it is my intention to report to the Government about my not having held my Court in your district, for the reasons already stated, when I have concluded my work. I have, &c., H. Charles Lawlor, Revising Officer for the Electoral District of Mongonui The Registration Officer, Russell. and Bay of Islands.

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 10. (B.) —Mr. G. S. Cooper to the Returning Officer, Mongonui. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, AVellington, 25th August, 1875. I am requested by Dr. Pollen to request that you will have the goodness to consider and report to the Government as to whether, in your opinion, it would be advisable to appoint, in the electoral district for which you are Returning Officer, any additional polling places for the election of members of the House of Representatives, of Superintendent, or of members of the Provincial Council, naming such places as you may consider it advisable to appoint, and the buildinss which can be used for the purpose. Iv making recommendations in pursuance of this circular, you will of course take care that the requirements ot'the 7th section of "The Regulations of Elections Act, 1870," are strictly complied with in each case. lam also to request that you will recommend the abolition of any polling places in your district which may fail to come within those requirements. I have, Ac, G. S. Cooper, The Returning Officer for Mongonui and Bay of Islands. Under Secretary.

Sub-Enclosure 3 to Enclosure in No. 10. Mr. E. Williams to Mr. G. S. Cooper. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Waimate, 10th October, 1873. In acknowledging your circular, number and date as per margin,* requesting me to report to the Government the advisability of appointing additional polling places, I have the honor to offer the following remarks : — For the convenience of electors I would recommend the appointment of two additional polling places in this district —namely, the school-house at Okaihau, and a cottage at Haruru, Bay of Islands, the property of Mr. J. W. Williams, at present occupied as a dwelling by Mr. Walter Irving. The re-division of the district for provincial elections under "The Auckland Representation Act, 1872," which places Okaihau in the Hokianga District, necessitates the appointment of a polling place in that locality, otherwise the electors in that neighbourhood wishing to take part in a provincial election would be compelled to vote either at Kaeo, in Whangaroa, or at Herd's Point, in Hokianga, the only two polling stations within the Hokianga District, and each distant thirty miles from Okaihau.

* No. 24, 25th August, 1873.