The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-20 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Fearing that, from the erroneous state-
ments made in the British House of Commons,
much misapprehension may exist as to the work-
ing of the Ballot in South Australia, I forward
you the enclosed letter from the Returning Officer
for the city of Adelaide, hoping that the testimony
borne by him to the efficacy of the Ballot will con-
vince many even of our opponents, decide the
doubts of the timid and wavering, and stimulate
yet more the energies of those who are seeking
not their own, but their country's good. With
much respect to the executive committee, I have
the honour to be, dear Sir,

Yours truly,

WM. THOMAS.

76, Rundle-street, Adelaide,
South Australia, Dec. 24, 1860.

To WILLIAM THOMAS. ESQ.

Adelaide, No. 211, Rundle-street, Nov. 14, 1860.

Dear Sir,—l am in receipt of your note, dated the 12th
inst., in which you ask my opinion (as returning officer for
the city) " upon the working of the ballot in South Aus-
tralia as applied to the election of the Houses of Parlia-
ment ;" in reply, I have much pleasure in giving you such
particulars as have come under my immediate notice in
reference thereto.

The first election by ballot in Australia took place in
March, 1857, and, as you may suppose, created great ex-
citement; some being adverse to the system, while, on the
other hand, there were many advocates in its favour. It
was promulgated, by those opposed to it, that the effect
would be fatal, inasmuch as a great number of the electors
would not avail themselves of their franchise. The result
proved that these assertions were without foundation.
The working of so important an act in its infancy had
many difficulties to overcome, the greatest of which was—
how the less intelligent of our population would construe
its meaning—but I endeavoured, in my advertisements, to
convey the details in such terms as could not be mistaken,
and which had the desired effect.

The number that had registered for the House of As-
sembly were 2,583, and for the Legislative Council 2,330
(this has reference to the City of Adelaide only). For the
accommodation of electors there were five polling booths
erected in different parts of the city, in which the clerks
had copies of the electoral roll. Each elector was (pre-
vious to the day of election) supplied with a certificate,
which, when presented, was stamped by the clerk, and re-
turned to him, together with a list of tho candidates; and
nn one could receive a voting paper unless he produced his
certificate; the stamping showed that he had already voted,
which prevented any attempt to vote a second time.
The polling commenced at 9 a.m. and concluded at 4
p.m., and during the whole of the day the most complete
order and decorum prevailed; this proved a very great con-
trast to the previous elections under the old system of open
voting, which was marked in many instances with the
most disorderly (and I may say outrageous) conduct. I
have therefore no hesitation in saying that if the purity of
election is to be maintained, the ballot is the only system to
secure it. I say this from the experience I have gained up
to the present time, having superintended five elections, and
all with the same successful results.

In England there may be more difficulties to surmount
than in the colonies, but I sincerely believe that perseverance
will overcome them ; and, T raay add, that many in the pro-
vince who were formerly opposed to it are now convinced of
its desirability. •
I remain, dear Sir, yours faithfully,
JOHN LAZAN,
Returning Officer for the City of Adelaide.

PEMBROKE ELECTION.-MILFORD, TUESDAY.
—The writ for the election of a member for the borough of
Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Tenby, Milford, and Wiston,
in the room of the late Sir J. Owen, has been received here,
and Thursday next has been fixed for the nomination. The
candidates are Sir Hugh Owen, son of the late Sir John,
and the unsuccessful candidate for Pembroke county, in the
Liberal interest, and Mr. .Meyrick, in the Conservative
interest.

SHIPBUILDING AND REPAIRING.—A return has
been presented to Parliament furnishing particulars of

the expenditure of the four millions voted for the building
and repair of ships and the wages of artificers for the year
1859-60. On 49 ships and vessels building there was ex-
pended £1,018,061; on six ships commenced as sailing ships
and converted to screws while building, £193,727; on 17 ships
launched as sailing ships, and subsequently converted into
screws, £322,074 ; for the fitting out and refitting, and for
repairs and maintenance of 239 steamships and vessels in
commission, £819,976; and of 56 sailing ships and vessels,
£39,194; for the fitting, refitting, repairs, and maintenance
of 207 ships and vessels in the steam ordinary, £362,256, but
the corresponding outlay on 100 sailing ships in ordinary
appears to have been met by credits given for stores retut ned
on paying off; for the fitting and maintenance of hulks,
£5,560; and for the maintenance of yard craft, £21,611.
Then there was £286,752 paid for building vessels by con-
tract, £762,590 for machinery of steam vessels, £343,136 for
miscellaneous expenses (such as mooring, ballasting ships
in ordinary, docking, repairs to cranes, &c.), and £110,508
for stores sent abroad, or purchased by captains and Consuls.
A, widow named .tecuirot died last week at her
residence in the Rue de Gronelle, in Paris, at the age of 90,
in the very room whore she was born, and which she had
occupied during the whole course of her long life.