Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1929. POWER BOARD POLL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1929, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1929. POWER BOARD POLL.

was expected, seeing that the preliminary propaganda was all in its favour, the Grey Power Board’s loan proposal, was approved yesterday by the ratepayers, the only cause for surprise being the extent of the majority. It it to be regretted that so many of those qualified to vote did not take the trouble to exercise their privilege, but similar apathy is becoming a feature of most Dominion loan poll issues, and is a matter for concern. These ballots are expensive, and if experience continues to

prove that the money is wasted, the day may come when serious attempts will be made to decide such questions without direct reference to the ratepayers. A representative poll, yesterday-, may have had no different result, but the decision would have been more satisfactory, for the winners and the defeated,

if the voting had been really heavy. Meanwhile, the first duty is to congratulate Mr. Greenslade, chairman of the Power Board, and his colleagues, on their handsome win, and the second is for all to determine to co-operate to make the : hydro-supply scheme a great sue- 1 cess. Yesterday’s verdict must be i accepted quite cheerfully by the * losers. Personal opinion as to the j merits of a steam-supply must be forgotten in the resolve to assist j the Board to avoid financial loss * in the big scheme now approved, < For its part, the Board must not 1 let its enthusiasm for hydro-supply e overcome its discretion, and should I ever keep before members the pro-, * mises made during the recent loan- I campaign. The pamphlet the Board £ issued should be read occasionally c

by the members, to remind them of the claims they made, and upon which yesterday’s verdict was secured. Every effort should be made to prevent present estimates of cost being exceeded, and strict control kept on expenditure. The Grey district has undertaken a great responsibility, and the Board members, as trustees, have no easy task to be faithful stewards.

BOROUGH NOMINATIONS *J*HE Power Board loan-poll having been decided, it will now be necessary for the whole Greymouth community, and not ratepayers only, to develop interest in the municipal elections, due on Wednesday, May 1, and for which nominations closed yesterday. Mr. J. W. Greenslade was unopposed for the Mayoralty, and few will begrudge him another term. He expects to be kept busy, and already appeals to be relieved of some of .the usual duties. There is no doubt that Mr. Greenslade is asked to do too much, and we repeat the opinion expressed in these columns that a Mayor, no matter who he is, should be chary about accepting other local body positions during his mayoral term. Mr. Greenslade .must find it very irksome to do himself and his private affairs justice, as well as answer the innumerable calls on his time and attention demanded from his present public positions. Elections will be necessary for the Borough Council, and representatives on Hospital Board and Power Board, but as no great issues are before the electors, the contests are unlikely to be strenuous, nor should the task of choosing from the friendly competitors for the honours, be very difficult. All the candidates deserve thanks for their public spirit, and it is a pity that their example was not more extensively copied. The polling on the Borough loan issues will be held on a date to be. fixed, but, meanwhile, electors should consider the general principles, and resolve to poll, whatever view they take, in far more creditable numbers than was the ease yesterday.