THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1907. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8405, 20 April 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1907. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Something approaching interest is at last being manifested in the Masterton Municipal elections, and there is certainly some reason for gratification in the fact that there is every prospect that the Mayor and Councillors to be elected will not compare unfavourably with their immediate predecessors. , The members of the "old" Council (Messrs Ewington, Morris, Pauling, Temple and Elliott), who are offering themselves for re-election are, without exception, candidates who have rendered the Borough good services in past years, and we believe that they enjoy the esteem and confidence of the burgebses generally. We regard their return to office as being, practically, certain. We have previously expressed the opinion that the year's work must be regarded as creditable on the whole, and on Monday night, we take it, that Mr McEwen will enlighten the burgesses in regard to the details of the year's work and expenditure. The ratepayers are entitled to an explanation, and it should be made by one, at least, of those can- j didates who are seeking re-election. A considsrable amount of loan money has been expended during the past year, and everyone knows that various sums were allocated to different works. Has practical experience proved that the £25,000 was too large or too small a sum to meet the purposes for which it was raised? Are further loans required? Is it necessary to increase the general

rate? In the name of "the man in the street," who pays the rates—and sometimes "the piper" —we ask for information. ****** We are pleased to note that several of the "new" candidates for Municipal honours have decided to address the burgesses at the conclusion of Mr Coradine's meeting on Monday evening next. If it were the custom for candidates for Municipal positions to address the burgesses, either singly or in conjunction with others, we think it would tend to create a greatar interest in Borough matters. The after speakers on Monday night will necessarily have to be brief, but there is no reason why their addresses should not be pertinent, and as they will probably have a very fair audience they will, no doubt, make the best of the • importunity. They ai'e to be congratulated upon their decision to face the public. Of the "new" candidates those who appear to be regarded with the most favour are Messrs J. Yarr, W. Pragnell, A. Haughey and J. Prentice. It is tolerably certain that they will all poll fairly welt, and they, with, the retiring Councillors previously mentioned, will possibly comprise the new body of Borough Councillors.

The two candidates for the Mayoralty, Messrs J. M. Coradine and E. McEwen, have each decided to deliver an address on Monday evening next. Mr McEwen as a public man, has always been candid in the expression of his views, and is generally popular in the community—he is no mean antagonist, and Mr Coradine's supporters should not take matters too easily if they consider that it is worth while to secure his election as Mayor of Masterton. VVe are among those who do consider that it is worth while to elect Mr Coradine to the office that he seeks, and we make no secret of our onin-, ion. He has had previous expeiience in Municipal matters—both as a Councillor and as Mayor of the town, and he has, also, served with credit on other public bodies. He is a man of wide business experience, and of ackowledged ability. In our opinion the best testimonial that Mr Coradine has, and could have, is the cuccess that he has made ef his own business. If Mr Coradine be elected by the burgesses to the Mayoralty of Masterton, we believe that in the future they will find cause for congratulation in having availed themselves of his services.