THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT YOUR FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3644, 31 August 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT YOUR FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1880.

Aftee all the noise made about having the mining interest represented on the Borough Council, there was only one candidate nominated this forenoon by the Committee formed at the public meeting last night, and the seats for the South and Middle Wards were allowed to go without a contest. It is questionable if the candidate referred to, Mr Miller, posleses the necessary qualification required by the Municipal Corporations Act, he being only rated for £23 instead of £25. Clause 60 says :—" Every burgess enrolled in respect of rateable property whose value, whether in one or more tenements or in one or more wards, amounts in the whole to not less than twenty-five pounds a year, shall be qualified to be a Councillor of the borough or of any ward thereof. 1' It appears that Mr Miller has to pay rates for other properties than those against his name on the Burgess 8011, but such is not sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Act However, Mr Miller will probably obtain legal advice upon the subject. Looking at the matter from another point of view, we regret that the burgesses have not shown more interest in the elections, for it bespeaks an absence of that healthy feeling of opposition in re local politics, that interest in municipal concerns which is the best safeguard against abuses in the administration of local affairs. We are not to be understood as finding fault with the men elected without opposition—far from it: we appreciate Mr Speight's exertions in Parliament on behalf of this community, and credit him with always being actuated by an earnest desire to do the best for his fellow citizens; while Mr Mennie has shown by his past services, that close -attention to the business of the Borough, and that honesty of purpose in the discharge of his duties, which are the best characteristics of a public man. Of Mr McGowan's conduct in the past we have little fault to find,! and have always noticed himj for the straightforward manly expression of his opinions, and a display of common sense in discussing all subjects coming before him. We cannot blame him at all for refusing to subscribe to the terms proposed by the deputation from the ratepayers in the North Ward, in reference to voting a sum of money towards pumping operations, ! for to have done other than he did woild have caused him to forfeit the gopd name I mmllJft^^H|f^^|fli||Mjtffollowing local

alteration. During the next year especially will care and discretion be required in the management oi' municipal matters, and it is to be hoped that the confidence reposed in the men elected this day may not be misplaced.