The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1885. The Borough Council

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 32, 25 August 1885, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1885. The Borough Council

The time is rapidly approaching when it will be the pleasure and duty of the burgesses to return three of their fellows to represent them in the Borough Council. In another column the Town Clerk intimates that an election to fill the vacancies caused by the retirement of Councillors Goodbeeere, Worsfold, and Bartholomew will be held on Thursday, the 10th of September, nominations to be iv by the 3rd idem. We hope that the burgesses will take a lively interest in this election. During the ensuing twelve months the last instalment of the loan (£2,000) will be expended, and the new members will be able to exercise potent influence in making a good commencement when the Council starts with an empty treasury, and nothing but the rates and licensing fees to depend on for revenue. In the whole history of the Borough there never was a time when it was so absolutely necessary to use caution in the selection of Councillors, or when the best men amongst the ratepayers should come forward to assist in the good work of economical management which was inaugurated a few months ago when the present Mayor, Mr Macarthur, took offico at the urgent request of the burgesses, with that object in view. It is very easy for any body of men to manage an overflowing treasury, to the satisfaction of themselves and their friends, but it is a task requiring no small ability, self-control, and prudence to manage a limited revenue, which also labors under the disadvantage of being already anticipated by the expenditure of previous years, with satisfaction to even the most even-tempered ratepayer. There is very little honor to be gained, but very many petty annoyances to withstand, when such is the case. But it is under such circumstances that we see the most able and patriotic of the citizens come forward to take an active share in those duties their fellows are only too willing to thrust upon them. People as a rule have strong faith in men who are willing to accept responsibility and power, even at the sacrifice of their own convenience or comfort. They have at the same time a proportionate contempt for those who are able, but unwilling to give even a few hours of their time that they may work for the common welfare. There are too many burgesses who appear to think that it is no business of theirs to take any part in Municipal Elections. We are often at a loss to decide whether those who pretend to such feelings, are actuated by laziness or by downright stupidity. Possibly both qualities are to be discovered in such subjects. Fortunately in Feilding a large active majority prevails with the natural result that, take the Council as a whole, the burgesses have been remarkably well represented in the past, we have, therefore, no fears for the future, but hope a fair field of candidates will woo the suffrages of the electors, and that the best men will win.