The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. FRIDAY. AUGUST 21, 1885. BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 70, 21 August 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. FRIDAY. AUGUST 21, 1885. BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

Certain of the representatives of the ratepayers in the Municipal who retire shortly from that position, but who are eligible tor re-election, are becoming very apprehensive of the possible, and we may remark, very probable verdict of the ratepayers when asked to decide at the poll whether the former possess to the same degree the confidence of the latter as when elected. It must be admitted that there are sufficient grounds for apprehension on the part of those Crs who ha/e by their own inconsistency, to use no harsher term, forfeited the esteem of the ratepayers. We learn that Or Abrahams is in a great state of trepidation with regard to his pros pects of re-election. According to general belief the Cr in question might as well reconcile himself to ;the inevitable. The ratepayers in his own ward, as well as the community at large, have expressed strong disapproval of his conduct both inside the Borough Chamber and also as a member of the Finance Committee. There can be no doubt that much of the dissention, recrimination, and discord thaJ^avtJpiSore' especially^p^4a£eT"fc£en characteristic -S^ths*relationships existing between Councillors must be attributable and in a great degree to the conduct which has elicited and merited such Strong expressions of disapproval on the part of the general public. Cr Abrahams now has sincere cause to regret his unpopularity, but we would remind him that he has no one but himself to, blame for being placed m such an unenviable posi".tion. No doubt he feels mortified and chagrined at the loss of confidence he now experiences ; but as he has made his bed so he must lie. He has seen fit to make himself obnoxious by various courses of action which prudence should have suggested to him the expediency of avoiding, and the result is that he has no sympathysers when the voice of public opinion so strongly pronounces itself against his re-election. He seemed perpetually on the alnrt to discover some bone of petty contention, and appeared too anxious to pose before the ratepayers as a reformerofimaginary municipal wrongs and defects. We do not remember that his vigilance ever brought to light any great shortcoming ; but we do -know that his avowed partisanship and indiscreet line of conduct caused much needless bickering, often engendered feelings of irritation, and was productive of waste of time, besides having retarded business on , many occasions. His demeanour to the Mayor and those of his fellow-councillors who ventured to differ with him in opinion was not calculated to promote aniicable relationships, of to foster a spirit of good feeling between members of the municipal body. In fact, Cr Abrahams is, not nbw, ; nor has been for some time past, ih accord with any section of the ( >-.cp.miminitv t nnjlfre has suffered a loss "of prestige which itjsnot at all probable he will speedily, regain. The ratepayers will learn with regret that some of the best men in the present Council have expressed their firm determination not to aeain offer their services to the public. They have =, been so disgusted with the actions of a party » in thjtf Council, with whose, proposals they could not. consistently with their duty to the ratepayers, bring themselves to regard with favour, and have suffered such abominable misrepresentation and scurrilous abuse from the organ of the party referred to, that they have decideu to relinquish a position which brought them only annoyance in return for their services, and caused them to be persecuted for conscientiously discharging their duty. It cannot be denied that ever *ince the advent of a certain element into the Council there has been an end to the unanimity, harmony, and tranquility which had hitherto prevailed. Never before did contention and strife so abound, and with a natural consequence that public business has suffered to an extent that cm only be universally! and sincerely deplored. The feature had an illustration in a marked degree with regard to the preliminary and subsequent negotiations Jn connection with the Loan, the arrangement and proposals relating to which were seriously embarassed by the actions of the adverse party in the Council, who seemed determined to hamper the progress of affairs by every means in their power. The ratepayers have not forgotten all this, jjut the

misfortune is that the Crs who would discharge their duty in a circumspect, conscientious, -and impartial manner have had such cause to regret having accepted a position which has subjected them to such persistent persecution and such malignant and scurrilous abuse, that they have now determined to no longer expose themselves to the rancorous attacks systematically directed against them, but to retire The ratepayers as a body strongly desire the return of several members of the old Council, under whose efficient and capable administration the Borough business was so pleasantly and satisfactorily discharged.' At that time the elements of discord had not been introduced, no clique or party sought to engender ill-feel-ing or produce dissension, acts of injustice and inconsistency were not complained of, nor were there to be found Crs striving to. foment disunion, and 3eekin^ to stir up contention and strife. We believe some of the former Councillors could be induced to yield to the. popular desire for their return, and, if requested to do so, would again place their services at the disposal of the ratepayers. The involuntary retirement of; those members of the Finance Committee who have declined so much in the estimation of those whom they represent, and the \ community at large, will not cause any regrets within or outside of the Council. It is to be hoped that in the selection of their representatives, when that time arrives, the ratepayers will exercise the most careful i discrimination. Let us trust that the experience ef the past will not be forgotten and that by electing good men and true to take the place of those against whom the tide of unpopularity now sets so strongly there will be a return to the judicious and exemplary administration of municipal affairs that until recently prevailed. Let the ratepayers consider earnestly the serious responsibility which they entrust to those whoni they elect to represen t them, and let them return men whose sterling worth, integrity, and independence .'.will be a guarantee of faithful discharge of public duty; in whatever position they may be placed.