The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, MARCH 20, 1876.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 78, 20 March 1876, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, MARCH 20, 1876.

The actions and deliberations of those who undertake the administration of purely local affairs, whether in Municipal Councils or country Road Boards, are, as a rule, more closely watched and keenly criticised by the ratepayers of the districts concerned than are matters of wider interest, such as are brought before the General Assembly, and if any unhappy member or members of oue of these local bodies be caught tripping, either in speaking or voting, he is pretty sure to hear of it before twenty-four hours have passed through the correspondence, if not the editorial, columns of the newspapers. Nor is it desirable that it should be otherwise so long as the comments are made in a fair and temperate manner, for the knowledge that he is so carefully watched, and that opinions are sure to' be publicly expressed upon his conduct, tends to keep in check many a one who but for that assurance would be inclined to indulge in violence of speech or wild and extravagant propositions. But while there is always this readiness to find fault we seldom find that the public are equally prompt in|bestowmg praise, even where it is unquestionably due, or in acknowledging services rendered. This latter is, however, a decidedly pleasant duty, and we could not but feel on reading the l'eport of tbe last City Council meeting that its performance was called for. We there find the statement made on behalf of the Finance Committee that the overdraft at the Bank had been completely extinguished, and that in place of it there was now a balance on the right side of £671. For the balance we do not give the Council the credit, as circumstances over which they had no control had placed just that sum of money in their bands over and above their ordinary receipts, but for having exercised such economy as has enabled them to remove that incubus which, in the shape of an overdraft, sat so heavily on the shoulders of the Corporation, while at the (same time they have carried out all the works that were absolutely necessary in the town, they are richly deserving of the thanks of tbe ratepayers. And whilst this bas been going on outside there bas been a most decided and gratifying improvement in the tone of the Council's discussions, which are now quiet and business-like, in tlie place of being disorderly and even indecorous, as was occasionally the case. It is the habit outside of Nelson to sneer at her and her institutions, but of tbis we feel quite sure that there are few Muncipal Councils in the colony which might not follow tbe example set tbem by tbat of Nelson with benefit to themselves, and profit to those tbey represent.