TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1907. The Mangonui Councillor. Mangonui Riding Disfranchised.

Northland Age, Volume 4, Issue 3, 3 September 1907, Page 4

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1907. The Mangonui Councillor. Mangonui Riding Disfranchised.

It is the duty of a newspaper to not only supply information and news to its readers but so far as is possible to reflect the views of its subscribers. In a country newspaper such as this public opinion must at least guide the Editor, and however unpleasant the duty may be there are times when our pen must write strongly, more especially when the rights of the people and the taxpayers are in question. In the interests of this district, in the direction of public, for the betterment of local conditions, were we to permit our personal feelings to outweigh mature judgment, and that judgment supported by clamorous appeals for our assistance, we would be unfit to word one line on any of the subjects which are interesting our various clients. With these views in mind and putting aside all bias, which makes us long to refrain from any reference to individual action or inaction, we are compelled to voice the feelings of the Ratepayers of the Mangonui Riding in regard to their present representative on the Mangonui County Council. When Mr. J. T. Gillibrrnd was elected by the ratepayers to represent Mangonui he was residing in the township, was in a position to supervise any necessary works and was available whenever his services as a Councillor might be required. Not only this but we pay the gentleman the compliment o( saying that he was elected because, being a resident, he was looked upon as the most capable, shrewd and experienced of the candidates ; and it is certain that had Mr. Gillibrand remained in Mangonui he would probably at this moment be as competent a councillor as we could find were we to search the whole county. But the duties of the Councillors by no means end with the recording of votes at the Council table. They are expected, and rightly so, to have and maintain a permanent working knowledge of the requirements of their district, to be at all times in a position to advise the County Officials between the dates of Council Meetings should occasion arise and to be accessible for reference by the ratepayersatalltimes and seasons. Ineffect

the services are multifarious and- no

non resident Councillor can hope to perform a tithe of his duties, nor can he expect neglect td he passed by" without cdmment or reproach, It may be a small honor to be elected to the Council of the Mangonui County,-but it is an honor, which is readily grasped at, and when elected the endless worries and onerous work may weigh heavily against the position, but a Councillor must remember that there are others willing to replace Diim if he fail, and in the interests of his supporters he should make a pleasure of toiling for the good of his Riding. The electors of the Mangonui Riding say that they have been entirely neglected since Mr. Gillibrand ceased to reside in the township, the roads have deteriorated, the works — such as have been done —have been insufficiently supervised, many needs have been overlooked, and the directing mind, which should haw enhanced the valuable work already done in the district, has been entirely missing. Even the nominal duty ol attending Council meetings'chas been openly omitted. Ratepayers acknowledge that the County Engineer has done his best under the circumstances, and further, that the County Chairman has proved himself courteous, considerate and hard-working, but they see no f reason why Mangonui should be disfranchised, and from one end of the Beach to the other, day after day we hear but one word—“ RESIGN !”

It is with regret that we have thus expressed the position and we ask the Councillor for Mangonui Riding to believe that nothing but the force of public opinion would have led to suc'h a directly personal statementj we must do our duty, and while we acknowledge'that the sitting Councillor is a splendid business man, well worthy ol every confidence, we own that we agree with the ratepayers who think that it would be well for Mangonui were its Councillor permanently resident in the locality.