The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1901. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 76, 18 April 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1901. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Oua local contemporary is very much exercised at there being no eonttat for the seits on the Boi'uugh Council and prscceds to skte the latepayers ef tbo town for what he is pleased to call their apathy in connection with municipal avail's. Has our esteemed contemporary eyop considered ta what osteat he is himself rojsponsjbje for this alleged apathy. For months piat ljj» theme lias bten the i'i competence of the member» of tho Council. Their past doings have been dragged before the ratepayers with the view of showing their unfitness for tlm position and abuse and contumely poured ou their devoted heads in unmeasured terms In fact, to judge the members of the Couocil by the articles which have lately been appearing in his columns tho Councillors have dsrne everything they jfiould not have done and left undone o,v«ry tiling which they ought to have done. Writing wjtj) sqmp experience of local bodies we have found that the members invariably act from a strict sensa of duty. They give a great r'eal of valuable time, for which they receive no recompense other than the doubtful honor attached to the position, and generally deserve all the assistance and support the Press cm give them in carrying out the duties devolving upon tbem. There are times when large principles are endangered when the Pres-i is called upon to speak out but the continual carping at members because one street Iws been made and another left unmade and imputing all sorts of unworthy motives to] them ii, what is go unfair and objectionable. It is indulged in by a certain feet ion of tho Press all over the colo y and in connection with a'l sor f s of positions and is having the effect of driving good men out of public life. Hero in New Plymouth fortunately, the ratepnyers simply formed their own estimate of the value of the services of those who have served them faithfully and well aud dti-ervedly returned them unopposed. Our contemporary's article was a lamentable confession of weakness and showed a lamentable ignorance of cause and efiVcfc. His concluding attack on the Mayor was mtst illogical and ill advised. He evidently has no love for Mr Dockrill; but after flouaderiog about to th© extent of half a column he failed fo find oue found reason for his rejection at the hands of the rat,e-|

payers. Ke us of the famous rhyme;— " I do not like ye Dr. Kell, The reason why I cannot tell, But this I know, and know full well, I do not like ye Dr. Fell."