AUCKLAND'S MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 89, 15 April 1903, Page 2

AUCKLAND'S MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

(To the Editor.)

gir Your correspondent "oity Voter" seems to be very much grieved at the want of that civic patnousjn in our best business men which he thinks ouo-ht to induce them to come forward and seek election as City Councillors, and points put that our most pressing need at the present time is men of business habits and cultivated minds. A\hy, what does the man want? We have got in the present council a very fair proportion of councillors possessing the very qualifications he mentions. We have two prominent drapers, menof good business habits; we have a leading caterer to human necessities — he also is a man of sound business habits; another is head of a well-known firm of a similar character; another is one of Auckland's leading builders; is the head of one of our largest marine engineering foundries; and, further, three prominent legal gentlemen, all possessing cultivated and trained minds —qualities absolutely necessary according to "City Voter" in a City Councillor. Here, then, we have nine out of fifteen men possessing the qualifications needed, and even supposing the rest of ua do not possess either a business habit or a cultivated mind, these nine are able to carry or reject any proposition that may come before the council; and yet, in spite of this preponderance of cultivated minds and business habits, the city had a debit on the 3lst March last of over £15,000 on its general account, and a credit balance of £80 on its interest account to meet a demand lor interest on the Ist May of over £7000. It is no use "City Voter" sitting down and bewailing the shortcomings of councillors. Let him come forward and endeavour to remedy the evil he complains of. and offer himself for election. I shall have much pleasure in making one to nominate him if he Avill accept nomination. —I am, etc., JOHN WM. jiEWSON.