THE VACANT SEATS IN THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 1446, 4 September 1885, Page 2

THE VACANT SEATS IN THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

It is earnestly to be hoped that an effort will be made to induce eligible candidates to come forward for the representation of No.'s I and 3 Wards. Ever since the division of the Borough into Wards, dissensions and bad feeling have prevailed. Gradually a party spirit began to show itself, and by degrees increased m virulence. For months past the Council has been at loggerheads on one question and another, and at one meeting after another the proceedings have been characterised by l}ittevnes.s of language an.d recium.lnation. We think it is time a change took place m these respects. If the Council is divided against itself, no satisfactory results can be expected. There is, as generally admitted, an element of antagonism m il)cper*oiirf of the Council, which seeks tq usurp to itsejf complete ascendancy, and tries t<> gain its points by intrigiies. This feature has militated against amicable relationships between Councillors, and has seriously retarded business, and interfered with the pleasant working of Borough matters. If a better tone were to-be infused, an improvement m these undesirable features might m time take place. We were m hopes that some of the old Crs might be

induced to coma forward, but owing to various causes, the efforts made . m that direction have n>t been attended with success. We should be pleased to see gentlemen of independent views an-i unbiased m their ideas, and possessing the confidence of the ratepayers returned, which consummation would contribute materially to the moro beneficial carrying out of municipal matters. While party feeling m the Chamber continues to exist, there can be no union, and therefore no progress. What is wanted is a united, progressive Council, zealous, energetic, patriotic, and disinterested. This is the condition of things which existed prior to the unfortunate division of the Borough into wards, which having been surreptitiously carried out, and m opposition to the great body of the ratepayers, was the means of first introducing the elements of discord that have ever since disturbed the harmony of the meetings, and begotten disunion and bitterness m a hundred different ways. We express a sincere hope that wiser counsels will yet prevail, and that by the gradual introduction of new blood, the former pleasant and satisfactory order of things will eventually be reinstated to the benefit of the place and the ratepayers individually.