The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, September 19, 1912. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1098, 19 September 1912, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, September 19, 1912. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Tomorrow an election will be held to fill the extraordinary vacancy on the Council caused by the retirement of Cr Adams. There are two candidates out for the position, viz., ax-Cr Adams and Mr Samuel Read. The former candidate was returned second on the list at the bi-ennial election, and during his tenure of office has taken an enthusiastic interest in the welfare of the borough. He has been a keen advocate of water and drainage, and it was on his motion recently that the Council decided to again submit the artesian scheme to the

ratepayers. He was also instrumental in bringing about a reduction in the admission charges to the municipal picture entertainments, and in other respects has displayed a lively interest in the administrative affairs ot the borough. Those who have followed the reports of the Council’s proceedings are aware of his fitness for the position he aspires to fulfil. We cannot, for the life ot us, understand why he should have tendered his resignation, neither have we been able to find reasonable justification for his action. Assuming that he has been misrepresented outside the Council by any person or persons, or has bumped up against adverse criticism, is that sufficient to put an end to the public career of one who sets out to serve his fellows ? Surely not. The greatest reformers the world has known have been subject not only to misrepresentation and villification, but to cruel persecution. In spite of all this, the goal before their eyes has loomed brighter and nearer, and made them more determined to win out. Every man who attempts the limelight of public service, whether small or great, must be actuated by the highest motives and be prepared to sacrifice self. The public man who ultimately comes out on top is the one whose object is the wholehearted service of his fellows, undaunted by pin pricks. This homily has a general, not an individual, application. But it is just as well that even our Borough Councillors should recognise that their service should be wholehearted. We think that ex-Cr Adams would have been well advised to have explained to the public the cause of his resignation. The other candidate for the vacancy, Mr Samuel Read, is a well-known townsman, and so far his experience in local public affairs has been confined to the School Committee. In this connection he rendered faithful service, and displayed a good deal of initiative and enthusiasm. He is entering into the contest with zeal, and is leaving no stone unturned to convince electors that he is “the man for Galway,” Electors should be in a position to judge of the merits of each candidate, and may the best man win.