TO-DAY’S ELECTION.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1016, 2 April 1883, Page 2

TO-DAY’S ELECTION.

The Borough Council and the ratepayers generally are to be congratulated upon the election of Mr William Wilson, to the vacancy caused by Mr Dixon’s retirement. Mr Wilson is a gentleman of vast experience, and at this particular juncture in the affairs of the Borough, when drainage may be said to be the “ burning ” question, his knowledge will be of immense usefulness. Ho will be able to tell us from experience more than the whole town ever learnt from books and Engineer’s reports, and nonsense of that kind. Wo are highly pleased with the election. It shows that wo are not, as has sometimes been said, an apathetic people and content to let things “ slide ” along anyhow. Not at all, for have (here not been two nominations for this vacancy, and has not the town been ransacked to find a suitable person to fill it ? And with what discrimination is shown by the result. Mr Frederick George Mace was fondly looked upon as a “ likely ” member ; but he, modest man ! recognised the transcendant abilities of Mr William Wilson, and stood godfather to his nomination. He has a right to be proud of his protege friend, for has lie not Born the blushing honours conferred by ratepayers as a member of the Town Board. His confreres in the present Council will welcome Mr Wilson, with open arms to-night—that is if the new member takes care to provide himself with a liberal supply of Riramel’s perfumery beforehand. Not that that exquisite compound is necessary by way of reminder of our friend’s presence ; it would merely be an agreeable change from what one has been used to in his company. Outside Patea we consider that Mr Wilson’s election will do much to restore the shattered reputation of the Borough. Had he only been elected a couple of months ago, instead of a paltry £5,000 we have no doubt the Government would have flung the £IO,OOO loan at our heads, conscious that the money would have been judiciously spent so long as Mr Wilson had anything to do with U. It is a proud day for Patea, and a triumph for Mr Mace, What matters it if. the other members of the Council feel their insignificance compared with the new man —with his gigantic experience of drainage —and want to resign. Let them go, say we, for it is evident the ratepayers think precious little of them by electing Mr William Wilson.