The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1883.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4584, 13 September 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1883.

One of the first causes of our general backwardness is the apathy displayed by the public in matters which do not individually condern them, and this evil is likely to dog our steps until the people arouse themselves from the lethargy into which they have apparently fallen. This half dead and alive feeling has been existent amongst us novv quite long enough to make itself felt, and surely when it's effect is contemplated, some change in the movements, or rather, want of movement, of the people will ensue. Even in such unimportant items —which go towards making up the sum of our existence—as Borough Council elections, no public interest is taken. Out of three vacancies occurring only one was contested, the other two being filled by former members being returned unopposed. Doubtless those who have been elected without opposition " will hug a fond delusion," and satisfy themselves that their past actions, and attention to the wants of their wards and the borough, have secured their immunity from the trouble and expense, paltry though it may be, of an election; but we fear if such ideas are entertained by them, we must rudely dispel them by attributing the want of a contest to the want of interest taken in the place by the people. This matter is only one of many similarly founded. In other parts of the colony, where public interest is concerned, rights are to be asserted, or wrongs are to be removed ; public meetings are held, and a healthy discussion leads to practical measures being taken to secure whatever may be required; hero things are different. Everything is left in the hands of local bodies, who are not even backed up or strengthened by the public voice being beard, and hence the result that we are about as far behind in the matter of general progress as any portion of the colony. It would be well if this apathy were thrown off, and people evinced some little interest in the welfare of—even, if

only>-the place in which they reside. They are apparently intent upon.goinfs.in, sfteadily for a longvsiumbsr, to awaken from a Uip Van Winkle sleep, and • find themselves in the same state of mystification as did the'ancient slumbererib the ■^skill mountains, when he found himself strange and an alien to all the pro* gress which had gone on around him. -