The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, MARCH 27, 1882.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1033, 27 March 1882, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, MARCH 27, 1882.

The election of a Councillor for the Featherston Riding of the Wairavapa West County Council having been decided by the unopposed return of Mr Alfred Matthews, we have simply to congratulate the settlers in .that district on their choice, and turn our attention to the Carterton Ruling, the seat for which is to be contested.' Two candidates have been nominated, viz., Mr Adam Armstrong and Mr Henry Buaitiiwaite. The former has already served a certain time in the Council, to which he was elected by what may be termed the Central Party, He then practically represented the town, while the late Councillor, Mr B, Boys, represented': the country. On Mr Armstrong's retirement from the Council his place Was taken by perhaps the ablest man in Carterton, Mr Booth, who is thoroughly capable of protecting the ratepayers in his own immediate neighborhood, and, at the same time, the outlying districts would not suffer from neglect at his hands. On what public grounds then does Mr Adam Armstrong now come forward as a candidate for the vacant seat? His home and his interests are in the town, and it is reasonable to assume that his attention as a Councillor would be devoted to matters which more concern the centre than the outskirts. If he were returned the two Councillors for the Riding would be residents of Main-street, Carterton, and the bulk of I

this division of the County would be almost unrepresented. From this point of view Mr Armstrong's candidature can only be regarded as arising from vanity, and an egotistical., impression '■that he has only 1 ; to stand to fye rV turned for any public office be vacant, This impression to see removed next Friday on the declaration of the poll. We have nothing to say against Mr Armstrong as a Councillor, for, although he made no great mark when in the Council, he always took an intelligent part in the businessjin hand, and fairly represented those who returned him, We oppose him on this occasion simply because the position he then occupied has been filled by another, and he cannot so efficiently represent the outlying portions of Riding as a member who is thoroughly acquainted, from everyday experience, with their wants. That the outlying districts are entitled to representation, even Mr Armstrong cannot deny, that he could properly represent them he cannot conscientiously assort, and for this reason we trust his opponent will beat him in the contest, Mr Brmthwaite, the other candidate, is somewhat new to public life, but it is well known that he is intelligent and energetic in whatever he undertakes, and that lie has a thoroughknowledgeof the requirements of country districts, We feel assured that he would prove an active member of the Council, and we hope those ratepayers who are interested in retu ruing a man who understands their wants will exercise sufficient energy and interest in the election on Friday next to secure Mr Braithwaite's return,