The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1913.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3831, 14 May 1913, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1913.

As was generally anticipated, the first •meeting of tlio new Council last night was one of very great importance. It may be„of interest to mention, first of all, that a noticeable featuro of tho proceedings was the business-like air that prevailed. In the case or the ordinary business, it was all transacted within an hour and a half. True it is, no doubt, that tho matters which came up for consideration under this heading did not include any subject of a contentious character. It may ho, of course, that some of tho matters had already been discussed at the informal meeting some nights before. On this account, however, we are not disposed to withhold a word or two of commendation to tho new Mayor and his Council. No doubt thore are one or two other directions in which the routine business could bo curtailed —notably by doing away with tho

The New Council at Work.

reading of unimportant outward and inward correspondence; tlie automatic reference of all general requests and complaints to the committee and department which must eventually be called upon to deal with the matter', etc., etc. But on this subject wo shall have more to say anon. The Council then, it seems, went into committee to deal with the estimates, and, after strenuous work taking up about four hours, agreed to adopt them,practically without alteration. Why the estimates could not have been discussed in open council is best known to the members themselves. The only reasonable excuse that can be offered is that it was considered that such a course would lead to expedition. If such were the real object, then the Council, it must bo admitted, succeeded in gaining what it desired, for the time taken in disposing of the estimates was certainly very meritorious. Quite another matter, however, is it as to whether the work was done as thoroughly as might be wished. A hurried glance at the estimates—for a detailed analysis is impossible at the late hour of writing—shows that we were fairly right in our forecast in regard to this matter in yesterday’s issue. The Council, it appears, was not at all anxious that the general rates should be increased if it could be avoided, and it will endeavor to carry on the ordinary affairs of the Borough with the present general rates but with the very probable sequel of greatly augmenting the already very considerable bank overdraft. As showing, however, that the adoption of the estimates has not settled a number of important points of policy, it will be noted that several fairly momentous notices of motion were subsequently laid on the table by councillors. In degree of importance tliatf by Cr Wade—to the effect that the services of the Borough Engineer should be dispensed with—must be placed first. This, of course, is not, unhappily, the initial occasion upon which such a proposal has come up foxconsideration. A striking feature about the matter is, however, that in the present instance the councillor who is now bringing the matter forward was in the earlier stages of the late administration not hostile, in fact quite the reverse, towards Mr Paterson. In this connection it will be noted chiefly that this proposal follows closely upon at least two very hard blows by the just retired council at the day labor system of which the Borough Engineer has all along been such a strong advocate. "When the matter comes up for consideration, Mr Paterson will doubtless by accorded a fair chance to defend himself against the charges that are bound to be set out against Ids policy and methods of administration. The points raised by Cr Collins with reference to the working of the Gentle Annie quarry and the question of the adoption of Patutahi metal and good shingle for maintenance purposes instead of metal from Gentle Annie are also very important, and worthy of the deepest consideration of the new council. The, indictment which can be brought forward against the continued use of Gentle Annie metal for patching the streets is simply damning. To-day, then, the position is that the estimates have Iteen adopted xni the rates can now be struck for the year. As to the great problems <f | policy and administration, however, the new council is no further forward. If.it continues to work as hard and as earnestly as it did lasi night, good results, we feel sure, must accrue.