THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1908. COUNTY MATTERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 79, 24 April 1908, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1908. COUNTY MATTERS.

JT is gratify in;; to see that the Waitonio County Council is taking in hand £he question of placing the Council on a progressive footing. Presumably the rc-ad-justing of the riding boundaries is merely the forerunner of certain other necessary changes in the working- of the County, and by the time the next general election of Councillors ensues it is to be hoped everything for the carrying on of the County business will be placed on a permanent footing. Progress in the district has been rapid since the Council was formed, and methods which were all sufficient for the Council's work at its inception have become out of date. This is said in no carping spirit, and all credit is clue to those gentlemen who took active part in establishing the Council at a period when a great portion of the ratepayers considered the action premature. However, the old councillors would probably be the first to acknowledge that the time had arrived when more up-to-date methods were necessary for the proper working of the County business, and we look with confidence to the Council to make provision for reasonable progress. Rumour has been persistent to the c;iect that it wan intended to leave all changes until the new Council was installed, but it is to be hoped such a course will not be considcivd necessary. It is difficult ho see what is to be gained by delernng action. The necessary arraligaments for changing the order <>l things must take considerable time, and election clay would probably be to hand beloiv preliminary matters were finally adjusted. Moreover, a, progressive j spirit is ■ •.•sen! ia 1 to any punlic body, and a n evident da. iermnia - lion to keep ahrea.-i o! progress in all respects is tin' greatest recommcu dat ion counoidors can carry to the ratepayers on (he evi of an cleclion. 1 lie work oi ih.e Council is increasing ai a surprising rate, and with rapid settlement going on throughout 1 the County, to say nothing <>l the j progress oi the town centres ol j Te Kuiti and Oloroiianga, there j is little doubt that the increase will be maintained. A councillor usually occupies a thankless position and has to make considerable sacrifices on the ahar oi die public weal, Nothing but the possession of public spirit and a desire joe the betjenuci;! o| los district leads a man to ewe honours, and criticism may well be spared except when larger; interests than the persona! arc ad stake. Jt is to be Imped our councillors will, as a body, uistiiy the reputations they possess as private individuals, and hasten the time when the Council will be regarded as the most advanced institution of a district, the greatest requirement of which is progress.