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Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1926, Page 2

JuDGKn by the nominations received the interest manifested in the County Elections was not very great. It may be taken as a compliment to the sitting members, that on the'whole their representation has been generally approved. It is only in the Central Riding where la contest is to take place, while in the matter of the Hospital Board the number elected is one short of the required representation, and a further nomination will have to come from the local body concerned. The sitting members for the Northern and Southern Ridings with the exception of Mr Duff, who did not seek re-election, are returned unopposed, so that the Council retains a good leaven of experienced members. Mr Duff’s association with County Government has ranged over some twenty-four years, and during that period lie lias been four times Chairman of the Council. The Council therefore loses a verv experienced member, and one who has been very useful nnd as a town member readily available. . For the Central Riding there will lie .a contest—six candidates for the three sets. The sittings members offer themselves '(for re-elction, and Messrs Baucke and Morel are former members, while Mr Boddington is new to County government, though being a useful member in the district where he resides jn local associations, The

district thus lias a good choice before it. There does not appear to be any burning questions before the electors just now, but questions of rating and administration are always matters of some concern to the ratepayers. The Council of late years in particular, has not been faced with any vexed questions, while with the decline of the hospital levy it has been possible to reduce the rating to the pre-war standard, despite the rise in prices, the increase in road mileage, and the volume and class of vehicle traffic. The one question of policy in recent times, which created any marked difference of opinion was in the purchase of roadmaking machinery. In regard to that matter, events appear to bo justifying the action of the purchase of road machinery, which has evidently enabled the local body to handle its responsibilities more satisfactorily. The Council must have considerable plant now. and it is being operated as is proved by the rating without extra burden to the ratepayers. The Council has important duties to perform, and it is for the ratepayers to exercise wisdom in tlieir choice of representatives. The nominations received show a disposition to flavor the sitting members, but in the Central Hiding there is the chance to select “new blood’’ if the ratepayers so wish.