Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE THURSDAY, MAY 19th., 1938 THEY RE OFF !

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 May 1938, Page 8

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE THURSDAY, MAY 19th., 1938 THEY RE OFF !

JQISTRICT. local bodies, last evening, started on the race set before them for the next three years, and the best wishes of all for their success, accompany them. The recent electoral contests have left no bitterness, as was instanced by the speeches, last evening, and given adequate co-opera-tion from those they represent, Councillors and Board members should do well. It would be exaggeration to declare that issues

of vital importance face the Harbour and Power Boards, but each can help, or mar, the progress of the district. Congratulations will be extended to Mr. J. Ryall and I Mr. J. Smeaton on their elecI tions to the respective chairmanships. Each hasy a creditable record of public service, and each should he able to prove that the latest honour conferred, was not unmerited. Perhaps Dlr. Smeaton’s term will be marked by a. reduction in lighting charges? Chief public interest, however, will be centred in the doings of the Greymouth Borough Council, whose responsibilities are ever increasing. The Mayor and his colleagues are in charge of what is the largest business in the town, and they need all the co-operation they can get from the citizens, if the best use is to be made of the possibilities. Townsmen often complain of councillors for not doing this or for doing that, but l

the critics are not without their own sins of commission or omission. The new Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) referred to some of the ways whereby townsmen could follow more the doctrine of civic self-help, and it is to be hoped that his words will be followed by their deeds. Councils best, help those who help themselves. “Leaving it to the Council” is expensive, eventually, to the householders. The new Council inherits iinanpinl difficulties, and natienec will

be necessary before desirable results can be shown. Owing to the cost of the sewerage extension, it is unlikely that rates will remain at the present level, high as this is. It is.to be hoped that the new Council will act drastically in coinpolling connections with the

sewer, when available. There is no defence to a policy that permits the night-cart system to continue in areas Jong-since sewered. The Blaketown “frog-ponds” form another civic reproach that should be removed as early as possible. Co-operation between Council and Harbour Board in this matter, is long overdue. Generally, the policy outlined by the new Mayor is deserving of support. ! The ideal of a town beautiful is

to be encouraged, and if the residents all did their part, the cost 1 to the borough would be insigni--1 ficant. Beauty is a business 1 bringer, and a, far-sighted comI mnnity would, long ago, have I taken more advantage of Nature’s I lavish gifts.