THE HARBOUR BOARD ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 118, 11 February 1908, Page 6

THE HARBOUR BOARD ELECTIONS.

;- AV civic'apathy* is the foe of civic progress, it is always a good sign when the offices of local government are eagerly' 'sought 'after, and i local elections contested with, a kecinhess that makes them moi-e' than mere formali-

ties.' 1 . '■ It is a specially' good; 1 sign at the prfesent time,' \vhen there are .not wanting evidences 'of a ' movement' to steal' away ilocal control into the liands of the State. The Tramways Bill introduced into Parliament last' session/ was a glaring example Of the tendency referred to, and we think we are not far wrong-in believing that, that' Bill, and the patriotic resistance that ■it ' eh-; countered; from the city .authorities ■have 'don'e their work in' hardening up the men-who 'sit'on'the' various hoards, of local i government: Yesterday's Harbour Board elections aroused a good deal; of public interest. The election of Mr. ,I'letcher at the head of the .poll for the ratepayers' representatives 'is' the ' rewardof ;his; most energetic, election campaign. • 'Mr." Shirtcliffe has been,displaced infavour of Mr. Bolton, a recent entrant into tlie sphere of local government.', Mr. Bolton's rapid establishment' of a solid',connection with various branches of local government is evidence of a serious, enthusiasm for

local affairs, and it remains ipivhim to show that;, lie can contribute 1 advantageously; to the work of, tie' important body of. which lie is now a member. Some of •' the unsuccessful candidates would have polled many, more .votes than .they did had .they shown.;the same -energy and enthusiasm 'as the;, gentlemen elected. A valued member of the old Board, Mr. Jas. M'Lellan, has been' retired as the

result of the ..'ehergetib 'efforts' of his opponents ; and his own absence ironi'. Wellingio'ii at the critical time preceding polling day. His successor, Mr. C. ,W. Jones, is much esteemed in shipping circles,; but the vague and general terms of his brief statement to his' constituents/leave us in doubt upon his general policy. Presumably, he stands mainly for the defence of the' shipping [ interests. In view of, the great works ahead of the Board, and the necessity, pointed out in his annuarreport by Mr. William Ferguson, for a larger .margin of revenue over expenditure,. it is regrettable that such far-seeing men as Messrs. Shirtclifie arid M'Lellan should have been lost to the Board. , Mr. Cohen stands very, high in the repute of Palmerston Jforth, arid may be.'considered ;aii,acquisition.': There is, perhaps, not more new 'blood in the new body than is desirable, although the need for prudence arid the maintenance of. the old order is particularly urgent in view of the impending departure of Mr. Ferguson and' the consequent, re-distribution of the administrative offices.', Conservatism—or,.if that word be a little unpleasant to the taste of an age that so wrongly associates Conservatism, > with reaction, then moderation—is' not usually the habit of new brooms. We hope that the new Board will prove an excep- ■ tiori"to this rule, and will resolve that the greater the work to be done, the greater the need for caution in doing it.