BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 17 April 1915, Page 4

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

ihe approaching municipal elections do not seem to.*be greatly stirring the public mind, for so far but few aspirants for office have been mentioned. However, it is satisfactory to find that at the last meeting of the Council a good account was given of the progress of work and of the general financial position of the borough. It is especially noticeable that the Council and their engineer are in perfect sympathy 'with one another. That, of course, makes for good work. A .Council must have confidence in its officers at all times if public affairs are to be conducted efficiently, and having the" Council's confidence officers can be given a fairly free hand; but this i. especially so at a time like the present, when so much important and permanent work is being done. So far as we know there is full warrant for the claim that the improvement scheme is being carried on economically and efficiently. It is going to cost a little more than was expected, but the addi-

tional loan, it may be hoped, will cover the excess; and certainly as the ratepayers decided that the work ought to be done, it is sound policy to have it done well. Judging by the slight mention of new candidates there will be no very keen contest for seats at the table, but whether this prove to be so or not, the present occupants of office deserve thanks for their work, and r-oreover it is quite obvious that the machine must be kept running much on the same lines as have been followed during the past two years. As to the Mayoralty, Mr Whittington has shown himself thoroughly acquainted with the working of borough affairs, especially on the practical side; and it would be a loss to the borough if he decided on entire withdrawal from public work. Ho-vever, he has given such long service to the borough that it must be admitted he is fully entitled to seek relief if he thinks he has done his share. The town needs a Mayor and Council which will continue to be at once careful and progressive. There can be no change of policy; the scheme of works must go on to its conclusion; but no doubt, even when the extraordinary expenditure has teen completed, there will still be plenty of work to do of value and interest to the borough, and it may be hoped that business men may be able to. find time for public service.