The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1881.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 908, 26 October 1881, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1881.

The County elections are about, to take place, and if they result in the return of as good sets of men as I hose wlu> are now going out of office, wo should he very well satisfied. In Count'. East there will lie little opposition to the retiring members should they comforward for re-election. It is only, as it were, tbe most public spirited auJ self-denying residents in that clistrn-: who can alibi d to sit at the Council. I A half day's meeting with them means in many instances three days' absence from home, and there are never many eager competitors for such a privilege, In County West there are greater facilities for the periodical meetings of members, and consequently there are more candidates for the honor of representing its ridings Taking the retiring councillors as a whole, they have proved themselves able in debate and capable in administration, and it would be difficult to replace them with gentlemen possessing an equal amount of ability and experience. The Chairman, Mr. Pharazyn, has been ad mittedly ofgood service by his thorough knowledge of the details of County administration, his intimate acquaintance with our existing local selfgovernment machinery, and from tinconfidence the Government have in his capacity. His weak point—a personal desire to do the whole work of the Council—is perhaps natural in a chairman, and has been to a great extent overlooked by his colleagues in view of the valuable assistance lie has given to County interests. Mr Coleman Phillips, the Council'rr for the Lower Valley, has always been regarded as a valuable unit at all gatherings, bringing to bear on public questions a cultivated intelligence. If, as Borne of his detrac'ors urge, his views are too theoretical, it can never be said against him that they are either narrow or selfish. Mr James Donald, who represents Feathcrston, brings to the Council as much common sense and practical experience as any man in it, and approaches all questions in such a spirit of fairness that the interests of any portion of the are safe in his hands No'man is more at home on questions of road construction than Mr Jackson, of Stonestead, and the farmers of the County have in Mr Donald and himself two men at the Council who deserve their confidence. Mr Boys, the senior Carterton member, has perhaps gained more laurels in Highway Po.ird matters than in County affairs. We should imagine his heart is more in the! former work than in the latter. At the Council he has ever been« useful member ; never obstructing hut constantly helping it Though he is a councillor who has a natural aptitude for spee"h- ---| making, he has studiously refrained | from indulging himself in this directioo, »ad his worst enemy mutt

accuse him of liavinjj wasted tlio time of the Council with undue talking, Mr Armstrong, tlio new member for Carterton, during the few mouths lie lias been in office, has made a favorable impression bv his regular attention to his duties and the interest he has displayed in all questions brought before the Council. Our 'opinion that Mr W Booth was the ablest man which the Carterton settlers could send into tlio Council is well known, hut that need not prevent us from acknowledging the good qualities which Mr ArmStrong has displayed. In speaking of the Masterton representatives—Messrs Moore and McGregor—we must be modest. The real hard work of carrying out the public works undertaken by the Council has fallen on their shoulders, and it is not too much to say that it has been done punctually, efficiently, and intelligently, with a Bitcrilice of time and attention on the part of those gentlemen which has entitled tliein to the gratitude not only of their colleagues, but also of the (uiVj'i Mr Hawkins, the representative of ill.' northern tiding, though a " new clmin," lias already come to the front as one of the most, capable men, whether in debate or action, in the Wairarapa. Since he joined the Council its discussions have certainly been more animated and interesting, The new Council will lie very incomplete unless it includes him among its members.