Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1900. The Coming Election.

Manawatu Herald, 23 April 1903, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1900. The Coming Election.

It is most satisfactory to find the number of candidates for the position of councillor exceeding the number required. We have, at times feared that the number of councillors fixed by the new Municipal Corporations Act to be in excess of the possible number of eligible councillors, and therefore to find three more than can possibly be elected is a most healthy sign, showing the ratepayers are beginning to appreciate the value a alive and energetic Council can be to the town. A great deal of this awakening is due to the Mayor, who we are pleased to note has been reelected unopposed, as during bis past term he showed constant readiness to meet all claims upon his time and earnestness in appealing to his Council for their hearty co-operation in schemes for the advancement of the district. In carrying out these schemes the good sense and loyalty of the Councillors was invaluable, as no one man can do much good without the zealous co-operation of the other members. It is undisputed that more solid work for the progress of the town was started last year than in any similar period in the past, and it is unfortunate that an election should intervene just when the loan entrusted to the present Council has to be expended. We have before said that those who evidently had the confidence of the ratepayers, by their voting for the loan, appear to be those most fitted to be still further trusted with its proper expenditure. We however acknowledge the ratepayers have keen placed in an unfortunate position, as every candidate is one who would make a capital councillor, and some of them appear to have, from the stake they hold in the town, a decided claim on the votes of the ratepayers.

When the choice ia so difficult it would be only fair for the candidates to assist the ratepayers in corning to a decision as to voting, by their giving some public intimation as to the views they hold on municipal matters, when it is possible reasons could be brought forward justifying a change in the personnel of the Council, It should be possible for candidates to refer not only upon the past actions of the Council, but also to the difficult question of carrying out the road works for which the loan has bees obtained, whilst the cost of carting has so much increased. We have likewise many wants which the combined wisdom of the Council should be able to secure on a paying basis, such as a water supply for fire extinction, lighting by gas, or acetylene, or the electric light. A public swimming bath in the river ia most necessary, and an organised scheme by which our park, the cemetery, triangles, and other beauty spots should be regularly mown and kept in order. It ia not necessary to make the list any longer as if we but get a commencement of a few of these schemes during the continuation of the new Council very much will be accomplished. Whatever the result of the poll

may be, the candidates may know this, that the ratepayers understand that one and all are offering their services to assist to the best of their ability to further the progress and prosperity of Foxton, and those who dp not poll so many as those returned, will see that’ the result, was but a matter of choice and not of placing them out of any future running.