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SPRING BAY.
-T- . 1
[From our own Correspondent.]
The nominations for councillors to be elected
came off on the 2nd, and as several names were
mentioned, it was thought there would be a contest.
However, as one of the candidates was not
eligible, another-Mr. Gill, of Rheban withdrew,
in order to save the district the cost of an election
; consequently the three named-Mr. Flexmore
Mr. Lester, and Mr. Frank Turvey are announced
to be the only candidates, and they will
be declared duly elected on the day of election.
Mr. Lester is a retiring councillor. Mr.
Turvey sat in the Council for several years, and
was looked upon as a first-class councillor, and
every one regretted his giving up his seat, his objection
being to two of a family being in the
Council together. Mr. Flexmore is new to the
Council, but held a seat in the Green Ponds
Council. The new men are, therefore, acquainted
with all their duties. Mr. Flexmore has recently
bought a large estate in the district, and settled
upon it, and consequently, having so large a stake
in the district, is likely to give some attention to
its wants and requirements.
In connection with the nominations an example
was shown of the loose way in which the Act is
worded. The question arose, Is a ratepayer who
cannot vote eligible to, be a councillor ? There is no
special clause dealing with it. The only point is
this, that an elector, according to your Sorell correspondent
cannot vote unless his rates are paid on
the evening before the election; but this is one of
the clauses you can run a coach and four through ;
as another clause says that no elector shall be
debarred from voting if he makes a declaration.
One clause says he shall not, and the other you
must not stop him. Now, Municipal Returning
Officers allow them to vote, but where a similar con-
tradiction occurs in the electoral Act the
Returning Officers will not allow them to vote.
I see your Sorell correspondent was down on the
Warden of Oatlands for allowing people to pay
their rates and vote the same day, as it was against
the Act ; but how about their assessment roll being
published in December! The Act says very
distinctly that all Municipal Councils shall, by such
a day in June in every year assess by a just and
equitable assessment all the property in the
municipality. It seems strange to publish a roll
just before the elections. It is another instance of
the schoolmastorabroad going from home to put others
right ; wiping out the moto and forgetting the
beam.
Nothing further has been heard from Messrs,
Coulter and Howell as to their challenge regarding
the stone, but the Spring Bay portion of the money
has been guaranteed by, a few persons public spirited
enough to do so, for the good of district. Singular
to say, however, not a single property owner, who
would be the most likely persons to benefit by its
success, contributed a sixpence. The Council have
voted public money for pictures. Verb. sap.
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