LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11569, 28 April 1903, Page 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We have received a batch of letters on the approaching munitopal elections, but are only able to summarise some of the more important. We would remind correspondents that mere anonymous expressions of opinion in regard* to particular candidates are not likely to cany much weight"Not a Gas-bag" forwaiels a letter emphasising the necessity cf returning practical men as representatives upon the new council. There is a danger, he thinks, of tlie practical side of tlie various propos-ils for improving the city being overlooked in the enthusiasm of the moment. It is not to be supposed that the want of cheap eJectrio power is the only drawback to the advancement of industries, or that «loctric lighting or even electrio trams would be a great success just becauso the council took them in hand. Ratepayers should remember Chat these ore schemes for which they would have to find the money. Our correspondent urges that the energies of the district should be concentrated ...on the formation of a ship canal as the firtt essential to the city's progress. "Ratepayer, North-east Ward" also !«vs stress upon the need of efficient oouaculo/s It should," he says, "be a sine qua non that each and every councillor, in addition to having some acquaintance with aiuuicipal pobtics, should have some busivss standing as well as a thorough ouiin'ss training He hopes the ratepayers will recxjgmse the good work done k _ie past by Or. Paylmg. * ''James Poole" points out to Mr Ell "the absurdity and folly" of his standinir for a seat on the new Council, seeing that his duties as an M.H.R. will require his attendance m Wellington for four months in the year. The Sydenham people have, says our correspondent, been somewhat concerned as to the strength of their representation on the Council, yet if fihey erect an M-H..R. they will create a vacant seat on the Council for four months in the year —and in this year probably the busiest four months. He thinks Mr Ell has quite enough to attend to already without seeking election to the Council.

Progress," on tho other hand, considers that Mr Ell's absence in Wellington would not impair 'his usefulness as a councillor. Not having a private business to attend to in the intervals of parliamentary work, he would, says "Progress," be able to give his spare time and energy to the affairs of the municipality, in a manner which ought to compensate fully for his absence from Christchurch. It is unnecessary, he thinks, to point out what that energy means.

"Pedestirian" takes the late Council to task for not making the footpaths wider on the Colombo street bridge, and asks whether any of th© Works Committee which approved of ihe plans are standing at the coming elections, and if so, whether they will "own up" to having suggested or sanctioned the plans.

"STag Rock" hopes tthe ratepayers of Sumner will vote for Mr Rollitt, Councillors Bradbury and Rlingworth and Messrs Jennings, Wallace, Wrenn, and Johnston, and not for any "experimental roadmakers." 'Progress" declares that Mr Taylor's work on the late Council does not justify the ratepayers again returning him as their representative. Mr Taylor, he says, supported the Chairman of the Works Committee in giving an "mportant work to a Sydney firm without giving his fellow townsmen a chance of competing, and also suTrported the ordering of about £6000 worth of water-pipes which were not required at the time.