The Pahiatua Star. (Published Tuesdays and Fridays.) FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10. l886.

Pahiatua Star and Eketahuna Advertiser, Volume 1, Issue 28, 10 September 1886, Page 2

The Pahiatua Star. (Published Tuesdays and Fridays.) FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10. 1886.

\Vf. congratulate the Town Board on its selection of Chairman and Clerk, both of whom we believe will render good service to the town. Mr Hughes | is a young politician, in fact lie ad ! mitted Rt the meeting on Tuesday that this was the first time he had ever consented to take part in any local body. However, be that as it may, we see in him one who will yet make his mark in l’ahiatua, and the Town Board are fortunate in obtaining at the outset a man who will exert himself to the utmost to do that which is right and profitable. The newly-elected C hairman has yet a great deal tolearn in his official capacity ; hut there is very little fear of the result. Of Mr Sedoole’s ability as a Clerk we need say little, he being well-known in connection with the lioad Board, and we do not think it could have been possible to find one who would have done more justice to the position. Passing on, it may be remarked that the first meeting of the Board was not remarkable for anything wonderful in the shape of oratory, members contenting themselves with the election of Chairman and Clerk, and the transaction of a littlo other necessary business ; but we presume matters will assume a different aspect at the next meeting, when questions affecting the general welfare of the town will be introduced and discussed. It was mentioned casually on Tuesday evening that there was no necessity for making bye-laws for some time, there being other more important matters to attend to. This, we should say, was a great mistake, as without bye-laws for the guidance of the town, affairs are likely to remain in their present state, and the Board will he powerless to help itself. We might just as well be without a Town Board unless some improvement is effected in the government of the town. It surely is contemplated making an alteration in the main street, whether by loan or from ordinary revenue; but whatever is done will need protection at the hands of the Board m the shape of a bye-law. At the present time cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs enjoy the indisputable right of all the streets in the town district, to the discomfiture of residents. To abate this nuisance is one of the functions of the Board, and we maintain that clearly defined laws art necessary for the purpose. There are also questions of revenue, such as licenses, which require legislating upon, and we fail to see liow the Board is to carry on its works successfully without laws. There cannot bo a doubt that the Board is suffering from the universal complaint—want of money ; but it is only in its infancy, and no doubt with the various refunds from County Council, Road Board, Ac., sufficient will be forthcoming to make a fair start. Besides the framing of bye-laws, Rtanding orders, striking a rate after valuation, &c., there is the most important duty of considering the appointment of a duly qualified person to lay out the levels. This should form one of the first acts of the Board, as buildings are daily going up around us, and it is only fair that the levels should be defined, in order to save after trouble and expense. There is plenty of work in store for the Board, and for some time, at any rate, we believe it would l>e advisable to hold fortnightly meetings, in order that there shall he no unnecessary delay in pushing on with the improvements of the town. We believe the Board as at present constituted will render a good account of its stewardship, and that by tins time next year l’aliiatua will have so altered in appearance as to be hardly recognisable.