The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, September 17, 1912. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1097, 17 September 1912, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, September 17, 1912. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The personnel of the present Borough Council has undergone a record number of changes since the bi-ennial election. First, Cr. Thomas Rimmer resigned, and an extraordinary election was held to fill the vacancy, which resulted in the return of Cr Richmond. Then followed the resignation of Cr Carter, for whose seat Cr Whibley was returned unopposed. The resignation of the Mayor and the appointment of Cr Gibbs to the civic chair created another vacancy, which resulted in the election of Cr Hannah. Then followed the resignation ot Cr

Adams. Unavoidable circumstances may compel a Councillor to resign his seat, but unless the reasons for such resignation are good and sufficient, the ratepayers should not be put to the expense of filling extraordinary vacancies. While we freely admit that exCr Adams has devoted much time and attention to bis civic duties and has proved a worthy councillor since his election, we are at a loss to find reasonable justification for his resignation. If his resignation were the outcome of a violation by the Mayor or Council of some principle of municipal administration likely to threaten welfare of the ratepayers or the good government of the Council, then his resignation as a protest would be a correct procedure. But the burgesses have not been made aware of any such breach or maladministration. If such is the case, then it is the duty of the retiring Councillor to make public the cause of his resignation before asking the burgesses to re-elect him. Up to the present he has not taken the ratepayers into his confidence, and so far as they are concerned the cause of his retirement is shrouded in mystery—despite the fact that in acknowledging the numerously-signed requisition asking him to again offer his services as a Councillor, he says he is assured that his action was justifiable. We think the burgesses are entitled to know before they cast their votes on Friday next the reason of ex-Cr Adams’ resignation, and we think, in justice to his colleagues and those whom ne seeks to represent, and indeed, in fairness to himself, he should clear the matter up, otherwise people can only assume that his resignation was the result of a passing whim.