1 JUNE 1872, Page 2

On Thursday, the Ballot Bill was read a third time,

and passed, by a majority of 58 in a full House (276 to 218). Mr. Maguire's attempt to recommit it for the purpose of getting rid of the clause which enables the returning officer to give his assistance to, " illiterate " voters was defeated by a majority of 218 (277 to 61), and the third reading was carried after a rather tame debate, in which Mr. Forster recapitulated forcibly the provisions in favour of secrecy,—showing that the Bill makes it illegal to exhibit your vote,—and described the Bill as the strongest Ballot Bill in exist- ence, except that of South Australia. Six Conservatives in the end supported the Bill, and though only one Liberal, Mr. Agar Ellis (Kilkenny), voted against it, a great many stayed away.