THE TRUST LANDS TRUST ELECTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3197, 25 May 1909, Page 5

THE TRUST LANDS TRUST ELECTION.

To the Editor. Sir,—lt is always satisfactory when au election is to take place for any public institution, that the electors should have a choice of candidates. It may be that old members who have almost a pre-emptive right on local bocies have a fair record, but an infusion of new blood often has a highly beneficial result — new ideas are brought forward, and new schemes ot advancement suggested. In the case of the election which takes place on Thursday, 27th inst., there is an opportunity given the electors, if they deem fit, to select new blood. One candidate •■' who is nominated, Mr Eli Smith, has had a large and varied experience of public affairs, and inasmuch as there are many electors who are not aware of, or who have forgotten the yeoman and the disinterested services he gave to parts of the Wairarapa, it may be of interest to your readers to give a summary of his career. His advent in public life took place as a member of the Alfredton Road Board, of which body he eventqally became chairman. He later on held i seat on the Wairarapa North County Council (now the Masterton County) for the Alfrelton Riding, which then included Eketahuna. He was selected chairman of the Finance Committee, an.l in November, 1898, he was elected to the honourable position of Chairman of the County, which office he retained till he decided to take a trip to England. positions included a seat Alfredton Domain Board, and as chairman of the Board of Review, under the ment Act, his work was so satisfactory that he received a highly complimentary certificate from the Government for the able manner he had conducted the business. In all Mr Smith's public experience extends over a period of sixteen years of strenuous and devoted work, work which.was carried out, as all who know him are aware, in a most straightforward and capable manner. In addition to the above services, he acted as secretary to tha committee which was formed to endeavour to get a light line of railway from Masterton via Pongaroa to Weber. In this he was associated with that progressive townsman, Mr C. E. Daniell. When a gentleman having such a sterling record offers his services to the public it may be wise for the Trust Lands electors to give him a voice in the management of the affairs of Masterton's most valuable possession.—l am, etc., LANSDOWNE.