The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1889. Manchester Road District Elections

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 126, 30 April 1889, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1889. Manchester Road District Elections

The electors in those wards of the Manchester Road Diatrict, where the seats at the Board are contested for, have a very serious responsibility resting upon them. Of this we believe the majority to be aware because tho mismanagement of the affairs of the Board while presided over by Mr Bull during the past twelve months, must be patent even to the most prejudiced ratepay<r. It I is notorious that everything the then chairman undertook to do, whether for or against the welfare of the district, has resulted in a complete fiasco, with the exception, perhaps, of the Ouepuhi bridge affair, by which he has successfully managed to saddle the road district with a liability of from £500 to £700 for the new span, for which enormous waste not one farthing in return will ever be received, either directly or indirectly, by the unfortunate victims who will have to pay the money. The want of progressiveness of Mr Bull, with the singular failure of all his proposals in connection with public works, cannot be attributed to of lack support from the other members, because he had a good working majority on the Board i'rom the day he took office, but to hie incapacity for public business, his want of experience in matters of routine, and a die( ngenuoueness which proved fatal to hie best laid schemes. The impression he has left on the minds of people is that he would sacrifice the whole of the Road District for the benefit of one small work which is in another Road District. We believe we have stated clearly and without prejudice the case against Mr Bull. As to his opponent, Mr Pearco, we can say very little because until now that gentleman has never taken any prominent part in the public affairs of the district. However, he is a man generally respected by his fellow settlers, who have a good opinion of his shrewdueso, and capability of doing well that whichever he undertakes. Such being the case, we hare an opinion that he will probably head the poll, but his friends will have to work hard to attain that end, as the supporters of Mr Bull are energetic as well as influential, and therefore not likely to leave a stone unturned to return their man. The candidates for No. 6 ward are Mr Fitield Reeve and Mr < ob:je. Tho former gentleman has been a tried and faithful servant of his fellow electors. At his seat at the Board he defeated Mr Bxtll in his attempt to rob No. 6 ward of the toll gate proceeds in order that he (Mr Bull) might divert them to suit his own purposes, By his exertiouß alone, the main road in the ward has been kept passable notwithstanding the opposition of Mr Bull, whose nominee Mr Gobb undoubtedly is, and who would be as bitter an opponent to the road as Mr Bull — if he were elected. Mr Cobb is entirely inexperienced and would — if elected— go to the Board with his hands tied, whereas Mr Reeve would be — as he always has been — an entirely independent member. Messrs Pryue Jones and R. Linton are the candidates for No. 2 ward. Mr Linton stauds as an independent candidate, whereas Mr Pryce-Jones, if elected, will remain, as he has been ever since he first took his seat at the Board, a "tied" member, whose duty it will be in the future, as in the past, to vote as he is ordered. Mr Linton is a gentleman who in former years was a most able and conscientious member of the Board, and we feel assured the electors will again show their good sense by returning him to a position he filled so well before. Ratepayers will see that we emphasise strongly the desirableness of returning only independent members whose hands are free ; men who will take their seats at the Board to do their duty to their fellows without fear or favor, or without a desire to gratify any selfish desires or ambitions. It is far better to have the wards represented by members who will stand and act by themselves than to have members who are too weak to stand alone, and therefore require someone to lean against in preference to acting boldly when the occasion requires.