South Canterbury Times, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1880.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2335, 10 September 1880, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1880.

AfiTMouort yesterday’s municipal elections were almost disgustingly tame, they were not inffcctual so far as the introduction of that useful element—new blood —is concerned. It is essential to the healthy action of civic bodies that the old leaven should have a little new dough—no offence to Councillor Cullman —occasionally added to it. Unless the composition of representative bodies undergoes periodical changes they are apt to become sluggish and torpid. The municipal team may pull well and happily together for a season, but it becomes drowsy by degrees, and nothing beats a new steed for putting fresh mettle in the old stagers. Recognising the importance of a restorative in the shape of one or two fresh caught councillors, the ratepayers may well congratulate themselves overtire results of the poll. !Mo one will deny, wo believe, that ex-Councillor Gabites has been an exceedingly useful civic representative, and many will regret that his wisdom and eloquence must cease to adorn the Chamber Municipal. But the framers of the Municipal Act intended that the office of councillor should be a rolling one, and in allowing himself to be displaced, Mr (dainties has amiably given effect to the spirit and intention of the legislature. Councillor George Jones goes back to his old seat loaded with well worn trophies, but it is on Councillors Cullman and Fihner that the hopes of the burgesses are now concentrated. They represent the new blood in our Borough Council, and they may depend upon it that the eyes of the ratepayers will bo steadily fixed on them. The

late Council was a tolerably happy frmily—almost too happy. They did nothing to compromise the municipal character of Timaru—they worked well in harness, and they never kicked over the traces. But the most obdurate mules arc tamed by starvation, and too much praise must not he bestowed on a team whose held for viciousness has been excessively limited. It is true that there has apparently been no log-rolling, but there wore no logs to roll ; no extravagance, for there has been no money to squander. Thanks to the waterworks loan, the Council are now in funds, and we shall have the opportunity of watching how those who behaved themselves admirably while in pecuniary difficulties will behave themselves under changed circumstances. If cliques should be organised, or logs are set m motion,wc shall expect Councillors Cullman and Filraer to be equal to the occasion, and they shall have our active support in carrying out their trust with fidelity. There arc several small matters at present that demand their prompt attention. The municipal byelaws in Timaru arc being stretched against milkmen and vendors of farm and dairy produce to a degree that must eventually cover Mayor, councillors and burgesses with contempt and ridicule. AVo trust the young blood in our Council will lose no time in tracing the monstrous idea of converting the retailers of milk and eggs and butter into licensed pedlars and hawkers to its proper authors. The Borough Council of Timaru has lowered itself materially in popular estimation by endeavoring to drive trade out of the borough limits. Nothing could bo more ill-advised than to introduce market rates in the disguise of hawkers’ licenses before a public market has been established. The object of throwing obstacles in the way of a convenient traffic between consumer and producer is self apparent, and the members of the Borough Council must be well aware that in serving the interests of a few tradesmen they arc indicting a serious injury on the many, and diminishing the value of the borough for residential purposes.