THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1908. WAITOMO COUNTY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 104, 22 October 1908, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1908. WAITOMO COUNTY.

Matters are astir in the political world just now and two important events will claim the attention of the electors within the next few weeks. The first, and as far as the County is concerned, the most important, is the election of Councillors, nominations for which close on November sth. It is to be sincerely hoped the greatest possible public interest will be taken in the Council election by the whole of the ratepayers. It needs but an elementary knowledge of the district to understand that upon the local body rests a great responsibility. The possibilities of the County are well known. Combined with splendid country and an almost ideal climate, are other great natural resources, which all contribute to the wealth, not only of the district, but of the country. Waitomo County with its settlements separated by tracts of unoccupied land; its resources undeveloped, and cramped by the burden of Native land restrictions requires the exercise of more than ordinary effort on the part of its public men. However, with a well-considered policy on progressive lines, there is little doubt that adverse conditions can be overcome during the ensuing term, and a record advance made throughuot the whole district. It should be remembered that the task of the County Councillor in such a distritc is an arduous one, and without assistance and interest on the part of the ratepayers is apt to prove a thankless one. Only the promptings of public spirit and a genuine desire to assist in the development of the country can inspire competent, and progressive men to devote their time, and energy to the work of local government. The first duty of the ratepayers is manifestly to choose the most competent men to represent them and to grant them every assistance in carrying out the necessary work on the soundest and most progresisve lines. A homily could be preached on the duties of a Councillor, and the average man is prone to forget that our Councillors are doing work gratuitously and devoting their energies to benefitting the community as a whole. The local body is our own particular parliament representing our ideas, advancing our interests, and carrying into cilect our wishes on constitutional lines. All are individually interested, and only by exercising individual influence and assisting our Councillors in every possible manner can we hope or expect to see the district advance in a manner befitting its potentialities. It is to be hoped this interest will be made manifest at the approaching election.