The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning. Saturday, September 8, 1888. THE BOROUGH ELECTION.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 193, 8 September 1888, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning.

Sa turday, September 8, 1888. THE BOROUGH ELECTION.

Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou airn’afe at be thy country’s, Thy God's, and truth’s.

An election takes place on Thursday next, to fill the annually recurring vacancies in the Gisborne Borough Council. In a previous article we commended to the burgesses the careful consideration of the qualifications of the five candidates who are in the field. We again urge upon them not to lose sight of their duty in this respect, and even when the choice is a good one that it is advisable to make the best of the advantage offered. The retiring Councillors are —Crs Harding, ponsford, and Townley; and the candidates are Messrs Coleman, Harding, Ponsford, Taylor, and Townley. As to Mr Townley we need make little reference, because he has long been closely identified with our local governing bodies, and in his devotion to the public interest has sacrificed more time than many business men would care to lose, But the loss to himself has been a valuable gain to the ratepayers, and Mr Townley’s experience and service would be greatly missed from any of our local bodies. If he is not returned at the head pf the poll it will only be through the carelessness which confidence may instil among his supporters. Mr Harding has not held a lengthened tenure of office in the Council, and during that period had the misfortune of being afflicted with a serious illness. But he has given sufficient proof of his fitness for the office to which he now again aspires. He has a good capacity for thought, and exercises much judgment before giving his vote on any question, but he is not a talker, which, with all deference to Councillors, we consider to be an especial advantage in our Borough Council If Mr Harding is again elected, we feel certain the ratepayers will have no reason to regret their choice. Mr Ponsford has many good qualities, but he steers wide of that very trait which we just pointed out as a virtue —the ability to say little and that little to the point. It is a common thing for the Council to waste hours in useless talk, and when it is possible to select those who are not likely to be the active mediums of this unbusinesslike procedure, we consider it imperative on the ratepayers to do so. Mr Coleman is a gentleman who sh ould certainly be welcomed to a seat at tAe Council table. He has qualifications which specially commend him, and as a member of the County Council and other local bodies he has proved himself Well worthy of the trusts reposed in him. The only objection which to our mina may be urged against him is that he is not an actual resident in the Borough; fe’t his interests are quite as identical wif.h the town as are those of most Other ratepayers. Indeed his unusual connection may be a general advantage, as removing the supposition st partiality to particular localities which is often attributed to Councillors. Mr Taylor, as a citizen, is one who can command general respect and esteem, and for aught that we know might make an excellent Councillor; but it is hardly likely that when there are four experienced and tried men to choose from that the ratepayers will consider it advisable to accept one who is new to the business. To sum up we believe better cannot be done than to elect Messrs Coleman, Harding, and Townley.