THE COMING ELECTION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 117, 31 August 1877, Page 2

THE COMING ELECTION.

TO' THE KDITOK. "Off THE'AKARGA IIAIE.. Dear Sir,—ln i'«> coming elections of Boiough Councillors for Akaroa, theix will be "some little excitement and contest, \but there shotikl be some considerntion as to services by the Borough Council now upoij closing 'theif term of office,'s6me of whom\ will seek're-election.,,and tlieir experience . will beef'value to others that will join them. There is no doubt but that the Councilors have • acted to the beat of their abilities in the- several works carried out by* them ; bat the incoming Gouncil -will require to be men having a knowledge of the necessities of the town, and will doubtless have more to do, as the wants of the town will yearly increase. All the work that has been .earned out has been needed, but there are-works very much more needed to

be done, viz., drainage, the very act of forming the footpaths now proves the want of drains, whicn must be effected before long, especially where the houses are thickly together. What now becomes ot the slops,—some are thrown on the ground in rear of the houses; some are thrown into the streets. No effort has been used to enforce the removal of rubbish or closetsoil from the rear of the premises, some of -which are but a few yards square, it is now thrown on the ground, or buried a few inches below the soil. What must be the effect of this, if no provision is made, and no system of drainage effected? Again, there are bridges over the creeks ; something must be done shortly not only to remove tho turnpike-looking appearance of the street, but also to avoid accidents occuring, which certainly will happen, as the present structures are nearly rotten. These are really works of necessity. These and many more must engross the attention of the next Council, and I hope they will Consider the unfairness of giving the works which ought to be tendered for, to those who may have-given satisfaction in one contract, and not giving other wovkmen or contractors an opportunity to compete. All pnblic works should be tendered for to shew no partiality to any. If specifications are given they can be enforced on all alike. Neither, as John Sundowner says, should the Council be shopkeepers, but let the tradesmen of tlie-b wlTliaVe the privileges that occur,- even if there should be a slight, percentage over outsiders, as they have to pay rates and taxes. In conclusion, let me say it behoves every elector not to show any partiality for any one, but send in the best men most fitted to. fill the position, and the main results of whose labour will be for the true benefit of the town, and who will consider well the duties with which they will be encumbered and determine to carry them out without regard to party or faction. —I remain yours &c, J AN OBSERVER.