Marlborough Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 1881.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume III, Issue 277, 29 August 1881, Page 2

Marlborough Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 1881.

! Drnixw tliopresent week the burgesses of the various Wards will be called upon to nominate candidates to represent them in the Council. At all times the selection of representatives is a task which should be discharged with every care and discrimination, and at the present juncture it is especially necessary that foresight should be exercised by the ratepayers, for the reason that in these dull times the utmost economy will have to be exercised in regard to the funds at the disposal of the Council. It behoves the burgesses, then, to select such men as they are confident will pay due attention to this important particular, while at the same time furthering the interests of their Wards to the greatest possible extent consistent with prudence and economy. At the annual elections the ratepayers have an opportunity of expressing their opinions in an unmistalceable manner, and it must be also remembered that their action affects the Borough fora somewhat lengthy period. The retiring Councillors upon this occasion are Councillor Houldsworth for the EastWard, Councillor Fell for the North, and Councillor Riley for the Wes:. The first-named has announced that lie does not intend to again seek reelection. So far as can yet be ascertained there is but one name mentioned as that of a probable candidate for this Ward. The gentleman alluded to is, however, one who has already “ done the State some service” and one who will, we are confident, succeed in dis- j charging his duties with every satis j faction. He will bring to bear • j considerable amount of practical '

knowledge of the requirements of the Borough, and his acquaintance with these matters, together with his popularity in other respects will, we anticipate, secure Mr William Douslin the vacant seat. For the North Ward Councillor Fell’s name only has been mentioned. We are glad to note that it is his intention to again offer his services to the ratepayers, and even if he should be opposed, which is very unlikely, there is no doubt whatever that he will be again sent to the Council. During his term of oflicc he has distinguished himself by carefully considering all questions brought before the Council, and by expressing his opinions thereon in no fainthearted manner. A thorough business man, with a more than average share of enterprise and energy, Councillor Fell is esteemed by all classes in both public and private life, and wo look upon his return as a foregone conclusion. In the West Ward there will lie a contest, and it is not difficult to predict its result. The candidates spoken of are the retiring Councillor (Cr Riley), and Mr S. Clinch, a wellknown resident. Councillor Riley has been tried in the balance and has been found sadly wanting in those qualifications which are required in a representative of the people. Beyond seconding a motion or occasionally bringing forward motions which have been almost invariably rejected by the Council he has done absolutely nothing, and it would be the height of folly to allow him another term during which to exercise an “eloquent silence.” He is, besides, not imbued with *hat. feeling of responsibility which is desirable in the representative of a Ward, nor does he apparently study its interests, as witness his action in regard to the raising of the Maxwellroad, a scheme diametrically opposed to the welfare of the West Ward. Upon that question he either voted blindly or foolishly, and in either case his disregard of the interests of his Ward should effectually bar him from again being sent to misrepresent it. His opponent is a man who has the merit of possessing sound common sense, and there is every prospect of his utilising it for the benefit of his Ward, as well as for the rest of the Borough His chance we look upon as far and away before that of Councillor Riley. The latter comes before the public as one who has had the opportunity afforded him of serving the ratepayers, but who has failed to further their interests. The former is an untried man, all his interests are centred in the Ward for which he comes forward, which, as he points out, is a sure guarantee that if he is elected lie will do his duty ; and under these circumstances Councillor Riley would, we imagine, best consult his own interest by retiring.

In a recent article wo alluded to some of the advantages to be gained for this district by the establishment of a paper mill, an 1 are now in possession of further information as to the probable amount of capital required. Mr Courtenay Smith, of the Port, Nelson, informs us that lie has written to his friends in London, who arc prepared to place capital in any hnmt, Ji'/e Colonial undertaking which would be taken up locally to a certain extent, and lias stated as a preliminary that in this district there is an abundance of raw material, good water power, and easy transport, with a near market for the manufactured article. He is of opinion that L 20.000 would sulliee for the successful establishment of this industry, and that the concern could be readily floated if residents here will only take sufficient interest in the matter, and suggests that the question should he taken up seriously* by half-a-dozen or more gentlemen of local standing. Here is an opportunity for enterprising residents to confer real benefit upon this district, and we sincerely trust some early and decided action will be taken. Matters of this nature are of far more importance to Marlborough than the discussion of party politics, and we could wish that a disposition was displayed by all our leading men to sink these questions for a time at least, and devote themsch es by common consent to the work of ensuring the permanent prosperity of the district. In a former issue it was stated that two-thirds of the capital required for this undertaking could be raised in London, and it would certainly not be over-rating the resources of this district to assume that L(i9oo or 1.7000 could he raised if energy were brought to bear, and the united action of the public was secured. Doubtless a number of shares would be subscribed for outside the district, and the co-operation of other towns be thus to a certain extent secured. We trust some of our leading business men will indeed take the matter up seriously, for in doing so they will not only be studying the welfare of the district, but also their own interests.