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Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1931, Page 4

This year is municipal election year, and in many towns public interest- in local affairs is being manifested, and there are indications of numerous contests. Locally, niun.ic.ip.nl affairs arc not exciting much public interest as far as can be seen on the surface, but- as the dito for nomination arrives, probably i here will be some little stir. A section of the town troubled about drainage ■\ffnirs and flooding, is likely to- put forward some spot ini renresentations, nrd assuming all the sitting members offer themselves for re-election, a contest will he inevitable. There ill ms been a suggestion from various parts of the Dominion that in view of the demand for economy in these times, the municipal poll's might be deferred, hut except in the Hawke,s Bay area affected by the earthquake visitation, the postponement suggested, will not take effect. It would, therefore, he well for those with municipal ambitions to he up and doing betimes and prepare for the contest. A healthy interest in civic affairs is all for the better of a. town. In respect to local affairs, the Council has not been particularly active of late. Earlier, the local body had been bent on. improving the rw'diticn of the water supply., and without adding to the taxation, a very large expenditure took place on the water works, and a. marked improvenir-nt resulted. The expenditure, however, was suhsf.autinl and liasled to a stringency of funds fr>r some time., However the financial year is dosing now, and in the coining vomit may be possible to prepare a progressive programme meeting some, of the more pressing requirements in useful improvements. Naturally the Council is limited in its operations by a restricted finance for so extensive n borough, and there are always certain annual nayme-nts to- he provided for in advance. This is not an appropriate time to increase the rating, and it is a matter of designing the year’s work in keeping with funds available. The Council a noears to- have passed through the ore sent term very smoothing, and no doubt the best has been done with the- revenue at disposal. There are always demands for special works, and it. may ho expected additional candidates will ho offering. A contest imnoscs renewed life and the introduction of new blood and fresh ideas is helpful always in the way of progress. An election, therefore, would he welcomed,