THE WARD ELECTIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 7309, 6 September 1887, Page 1

THE WARD ELECTIONS.

TfIAT the Ratepayers’ Association has done excellent Work and has fully justified its organisation is demonstrated by the proceedings of the City Connell during the past year. The survivors of the old clique, although reinforced by the return to municipal politics of a certain redoubtable councillor, have been powerless for active mis. chief; and if, owing to the circumstances of the times, civic affairs have not been much bettered, there has certainly been no further retrogression. We may go so far, indeed, as to assert that there has been a marked improvement all round, and that the expectation may now be reasonably entertained that the administration in future will be economical and rational. The days of quiet little jobs are, we may hope, over ; and that no more money may be expended, directly or indirectly, for purpoLrg other than the benefit of the City. On this occasion the sponge has been thrown up in two wards, Dr Hislop and Mr HabdY having been allowed a walk-over. In South and Bell Wards the representation is contested ; but only in the former is there a candidate accredited, if we may so express it, by those who were wont to rule the roast. There is no more dangerous mistake than for the ratepayers to _be apathetic -in regard to the municipal elections. Once let these fall into the hands of cliques or rings, and it is extremely difficult to re-establish independent action, and secure, as is essentially desirable, that the Mayor and councillors should be chosen on their merits as men of character, of principle, and of business. The carelessness so often to be noted in the past of those on - whpm the responsibility of election lies, reacts on the elected, even when, by* the chapter of accidents, they happen to be well qualified; but, in the ordinary course, persons by no means desirable get into office, and, once in, continue to stick there by means which do not admit of very exact definition. In Dunedin a new departure was made last year, and care must be taken that there is no backward stop. Every householder should bear in mind that he has a very direct interest in the good government of the City, and, even if he has not a vote,.as many householders under the present limited franchise unfortunately have not, he should exert his influence in the right direction. Incompetent or corrupt administration means increased rates, a fact which should be present to the mind of every ratepayer ; ■ and we would .direct the attention of ladies who are on the roll to this, which should induce them not only to take an intelligent interest in the elections, but to record their votes. In South and Bell Wards there is in each, as we have said, a contest; and on Thursday the polls are to- be taken. While impressing on those who have votes the duty of exercising the franchise, we do not know that there are very strong arguments for or against either of the candidates. In both wards very little more than “Hobson’s choice” is left to the ratepayers; there is nothing .abopt either of the candidates . which inspires strong advocacy. In South Dunedin Mr Fagan, the retiring councillor, is opposed by Mr A. C. Kimbell, who has come into notice of late years by a successful persistence in a claim on the Treasury for compensation on account of some land he bid for at auction being knocked down to a strongly-suspected dummy. Since then Mr Kimbell has posed as an authority on the land question, and now seeks a more public sphere than the correspondence colhmns of the local Press. We should not judge from his addresses at the nomination and at his meetings that he was a strong man, but he expresses himself fairly on locil questions, and may be expected to work with the party in the Council who are earnest In desiring to establish and maintain economical reform. Mr FaoAN, as he stated at the nomination, has a record of municipal office extending over sixteen years. At Palmerston, as Mayor and councillor, he did very good work, and in this City he has been assiduous i a his attendance at the meetings of the Council and the several committees of which he has been a member. From his first election, however, he has been identified with what we may term the old r&jime ; and as regards municipal affairs is decidedly conservative. It is for the ratepayers to judge how'far this is a recommendation. That he further is under influence which has been for years paraujiopnb in South Ward hardly needs demonstration. As to whether this tells in his favor most be a matter of opinion; but little doubt is left as to the course he is likely to take if elected. He has already declared that he agrees, with Councillor Fish on the desirability of bringing the Public Bodies’ Leasehold Act, 1886, into force in Dunedin, under which the City Council, as the leasing authority, may accept the surrender of any lease “ on such terms “ as such authority thinks fit, and may com- “ promise or make such allowances •to 'any “ tenant or tenants for any rent due, or “that may become due, in respect of any “land leased.” It may well be understood how such provisions might be worked, and we unh. fittingly assert, that no such powers should unreservedly be vested in any Municipal Government. If the rents are too high -r the. conditions too; onerous—in the case- of properties let on lease by public bodies, there should no doubt be a means of readjustment prbvidcd; but let this be on proper valuation. We want no practical remiude- s of the Princes street widening. In Bell Ward, the ratepayers have,the choice between Mr John Barnes and Mr A. Solomon. Both these gentlemen have claims on account of public services performed, and are well known and esteemed in the City. Mr Basnes attained the height of his ambition when elected Mayor, and. it is to his credit that he should care to again devote himself to the duties of a city councillor. Objection has been urged that he does not reside in the Ward which he desires to represent; but this also applies to his opponent. We are by no-.-inie* is convinced, however,, -that active superintendence of Corporation work and interference with the overseera and laborers (upon which he bases hiS ■‘chief claim to support) are altogether so advantageous to the City as he would’, imply. The meddling of Mayor and councillors in matters of mere detail is not to be .commended, and has not, as a matter of fact, always resulted happily.. Mi- Babies, we should have thought, must have learned a lesson in this matter during his Mayoralty, The “ practical man,” or the man who considers himself so, is not always a success in an administrative body meddling and muddling are frequently as much alike in results as in spelling. , Mr A. Solomon, the other candidate, has shown himself decidedly able in the position ho has now for some time occupied as chairman of the Benevolent Institution Committee, and he is a good man of business. If ejected hq is certain tQrtust independently. At the nomination Mr Solomon made a favorable impression by the modesty with which ■ he : referred to his qualifications, and he made it quite clear that he would have : nothing in common 'with the old dominant clique. After careful study of th'e -public Bodies’ Leasehold Act, he declares himself, lor good and sufficient reasons, which ’he gives, opposed to the-City Council being vested with such powers. In reapeet of a Public Library, while expressing approval, ho hardly would seem to realise its. importance and usefulness; whilst we ventnre’to think, from what he said, that he over-rates the necessary expense which would be incurred. It is hardly to the credit of Dunedinproud, as she has the right to be,hfj her educational institutions—that there should be no Public Library. It may be, however, that the times just now are unpropitious, as Mr Solomon says, for the incurring of any fresh pecuniary responsibilities; Irat we .certainly hope to see the question considered in, the Gonffiju boon, if it.be |nly “kebt steady in view,” like ihan| of the blessmgs to come to Otafco the Government.