THE NEW BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15256, 17 March 1910, Page 6

THE NEW BOARD.

The electors of the city were-- not moved from their usual apathy by the opportunity to assist, for the first time in electing a Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and net more than one in ten of those on the roll troubled to record a vote at yesterday's poll. The popple who did show some appreciation of their privileges and responsibilities may bo congratulated on having chosen wisely. Five of the seven candidates placed on the "reform ticket" have been elected to seats on the now Board, and zeal has beon leavened with experience by the return of Mr C. Allison and Mr T. Gapes, two well-tried municipal workers. It will be particularly encouraging to the reformers to find that the claims of women to share in the work of caring for the sick and needy have, been so emphatically recognised by the electors. Mrs E. W. Cunnington headed the poll, and the honour was well deserved, since this lady has been doing invaluable social work, often of the least pleasant kind, during a long period of residence' in Christchurch. The citizens generally will he glad to see Mr W. W. Tanner once more in public life, and the electors could hardly have overlooked the claims of the present Mayor, who has already done useful work as a member of the Hospital Board. Some country returns have still to bo announced, but it is. evident that the new Board will be decidedly more representative of popular opinion than wore the two bodies whose functions it will assume. We do not anticipate any very sweeping changes in administrative methods, at least in connection with the Hospital, and, indeed, it would bo unfair to suggest that the old Boards did not discharge their duties with a real desire to promote efficiency as well as economy. The Board elected yesterday will find, however, that a vast amount of leeway has to bo made up before the city can claim a place in the van of progress as far as methods of dealing with sickness and destitution aro concerned.