The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 370, 2 November 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1878.

Nominations for County Councillors for the ensuing term will haVe tp be made before noon to-day. So far as" we can learn there is not likely to he a rush of suitable men for the seats. It is rumored that some of the present Councillors are not intending to seek re-election. The novelty of the new institution appears to have worn away. The honors are not so high as was at first expected, whilst it has been found that proper attention to the business of the County entails some loss of time and money. - During winter Councillors from a distance cannot

sit out the meetings and return to their homes the same day. Consequently hotel and other expenses have to be incurred, ‘all for the honor of being a vepre T sentative man. In addition to the expense and loss of time,-a considerable amount of growling has to be submitted to by individual Councillors from ratepayers, foi alleged neglect of duty, or in not having been successful in getting particular works executed, or in preventing works being done. Then at the Council meetings there is much to pnt up with. Councillors at one end of the County are not acquainted with, and cannot easily bo made to understand the requirements of another part of the County. What cannot frequently be understood for want of purely local knowledge is often set down to prejudice against or a determination not to understand. 111-feeling is thus engendered and sometimes finds expression—and in any case lessons the pleasure of being a representative man. For these and other reasons Councillors do not always work amicably together. All arc not glib of tongue, and feeling that they cannot so well express themselves as they would like, they become dissatisfied with themselves and with the Council.. Long discussions take place over trifling matter’s, the real-ground of which being fairly sifted, might be traced to personal prejudices—the desire to show off, or pay off for some real or fancied injustice previously sustained. These personal differences, whilst excitingly interesting to those immediately concerned, are viewed with anything but favor by those not immediately interested, and are voted a waste.of time, and make the position of Councillor less sought after. The fact of the matter is Councillors may be said not yet to have found their respec-. tive places. All cannot be leaders, and all should not desire to be. Once the Chairman has been elected, very much should be left to him, and instead of making the position as undesirable as possible, Councillors should be willing to work up to him. On the other hand the Chairman requires to have some nerve, and should be both able and willing to act promptly in emergencies, and not bo afraid of incurring responsibilities, or be too thin skinned should the Council see fit to call him to book. Above all the Chairman should endeavor to be free from party bias and try to act justly by all. As far as wo can judge there is not likely to be much of a rush for the vacant seats. We trust, however, that good men will come forward, and that such as are elected will eschew personal bickerings, and bo satisfied to set forth the requirements of their respective districts as well as they are able without expecting too much in return ; and having selected a Chairman let him feel the responsibility of the position, and by working up to instead of against him, allow the business of the County to be carried on to the best advantage. The following Clause (41) of the Counties Act, shows bow persons are entitled to vote : Bi-ery county elector shnll be entitled to vote at every election of a member of the County Council for the riding in whichhe is enrolled, according to the followingscale — (a.) If his rateable property, whether in one cr more tenements, is valued on any valuation roll at less than fifty pounds he shall have one v r ote. (hj.) If such property is valued at not less than fifty but less than one hundred pounds, he shall have two votes, (c.) If such property is so valued at not less than one hundred, but less than one hundred and fifty pounds, he shall have three votes. (dj If such property is so valued at not less than one hundred and fifty but less than three hundred and fifty pounds, he shall have four votes, (e.) If such property is valued at three hundred and fifty pounds and upwards, he shall have five votes, (f.) If he is enrolled in virtue of a miner’s right, he shall have but one vote.”