THE BOROUGH BY-ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 171, 19 January 1914, Page 4

THE BOROUGH BY-ELECTION.

For a considerable time past it has f been difficult to induce citizens to \. come' forward and offer lo serve on the ' local liorough Council, and positions , have on more than one occasion bad to \ go begging. Fortunately there is now J a healthier municipal spirit in the town, * and this is manifested by the fact of , three townsmen having been nominated I for (be vacancy on the Council caused | by the retirement of .Air. A. Clark. This i display of interest cannot be rc- ', garded as other than satisfactory, for it ' shows that citizens have awakened to ■ a sense of their responsibilities, and are '. seised of the. necessity for the most ; careful handling of the affairs of the town during a period which has been truly described as the most critical in New Plymouth's history. By wise guidance and government the future of tho I own is r.ssured; by lax and indifferent management during the next two or three years it can easily be marred. Without (he citizens themselves showing an active and intelligent interest and supporting their representatives, the best results cannot lie expected, and it then-fore behoves them to show care and discrimination, first of all, in the choice of their representatives on the Council. Fortunately, in the case of the present bye-election, they have some excellent, material to choose from- Only cue, Mr. (!. W. Ilnrtnell, has bad previous municipal experience, but both Mr. A. If'. Sykes and .Mr. G, W. Henderson, the other ■candidates, are successful business men and well known to most burgesses. Mr. Hartncl! did honest, if ijuiet, work whilst a member of the Council, and if elected would no doubt render equally valuable service.' Mr. Henderson favors

a progressive policy and is prepared to anything in that <lirection. Up'l,i!i i'::i- lust yi'ar or bo .Mr. Sykes has mii. :i.-.iii-fd. in the public life of tli<> town. ~v ;i -.-, as ]i(. explains in his address to cii-c.iir:, to the exigencies of his businc.is, ii" ramifications of which extend all uwr ilia Dominion and the Commonwealth. Xow that lie lias placed his cnli",)ii is. ~n a successful footing, he comes lui ward mid ofi'ers his services te his fellow -.-.tizens. This is a very commendable .-.j.irit, and we would that more of nu 1 ■-,! v-ssful commercial men were similarly animated. Then the.ro could 'be iik iltniDl as to the position New Plymouth would iill—it would advance as it Inn never advanced before. Mr. Sykes was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the local Tourist and Expansion League, a body which is doing very valuable work in many respects, and ever since has been closely identified, with its various activities, lie lacks neither vim, enthusiasm nor ability!, as has been demonstrated by what be has achieved commercially in a com. puratively few years, and possessing these few qualities there can be no doubt that he would mako a most aseful councillor. He has, moreover, a substantial stake in the toyta, and if he is elected, ratepayers may rest satislied that their interests will not be neglected by him.