BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 571, 3 January 1882, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wβ are pleased to see that there is to be opposition for the vacant seat in the Borough Council. We ?ay this, not because we have the slightest objection to either of the candidates, but because we thoroughly believe in the privilege of the ballot being used as frequently as possible. Anything that turns attention to public affairs is of benefit to the community, If a man is allowed to quietly take a seat, he does not value it half as much as if he had to fight for it, and depend on it the more a man values a position he has gained, the more good will he do while holding that position. Nothing is so fatal to a community as lethargy, better fight over the most trifiiug matters, than take no steps to ascertain which is really the best course to pursue. We no not know if there is any difference in the policy of the two gentlemen who have offered the ratepayers their services, but hope they will take some means of making their opinions on public mutters known. There is much to be done in the Borough, and we hop*; the present year will not pass away without some substantial work being accomplished. The Council of 1881 can always point with pride to the Balguerie street works, and it is to be hoped 1882 will not be allowed to pass without some other extensive works to mark it. The Borough Council should not be like the anaconda, and lie torpid for months after their Balguerie street meal. They should, on the contrary, let every year be- marked by one substantial act of progress. It is very easy to spend all available funds in patching, but it is bad policy, for there is nothing to show. We hope that the nev\ Council will consider wliat works of importance require to be done, and will select one that will mark 1882 as a year of progress, <is the Balguerie street contract has marked 1881.