BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8535, 16 September 1907, Page 4

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

WANTED-A WARD SYSTEM.. (To the Editor). Sir, —It is not as a captious critic nor as a partizan that I venture topen a few lines upon the present conditions of Borough affairs. If I can do so, I want to put the position clearly before the ratepayers with the hope of influencing decided action. Opinions, no doubt, differ as to the wisdom or otherwise of the past administration of Borough 1 affairs, but there are many of opinion, like myself, that at the present time the Borough can ill afford to ljse the services of such efficient officers as the Engineer and Town Clerk. However, I am not going to discuss tnese matters. The object of this letter is purely to point out that the present is a most opportune time to inaugurate the ward system of representation. I believe that the most efficient representation on the Council will never be obtained, and that the needs of the Borough will never be properly known nor adequately attended to, until this system is given effect to. In support of my contention, let it suffice to mention that the drastic motion at the last meeting of the Borough Council was moved by a Councillor of about four months' experience and a Councillor who certainly did not head the poll at the last election. The ward system would result, I venture to predict, in a more effective and representative representation. It is unfortunate that a citizen of Mr C. A. Pownall's calibre has withdrawn from civic affairs. Mr P. L. Hollings, Mr J. B. Keith, and others I could mention are la.ly r.eaded at the present time. lam informed that the Borough Council, ty resolution, could have the Borough divided into wards, and in the present topsy-turvy condition of affairs I hope an effort will bo made to get a motion in the direction mentioned duly carried. The Mayor should be given credit for endeavouring to do his best, but his past Mayoral experience must surely have convinced him

of the fact that he does not possess the confidence of the burgesses to any great extent, and, therefore, the radical policy which he is supporting should be submitted for the approval, or otherwise, of the voters. If the Mayor and Councillors are afraid of losing their seats, they will oppose an election in order to secure the ward system; if not, thsy should favour the proposal, and I venture to suggest that no better time than the present could be found for testing tht feelings of burgesses upon the question. —I am, etc., PROGRESS.