Civic Honors(?).

New Zealand Mail, Issue 810, 9 September 1887, Page 27

Civic Honors(?).

It is a pity that the Wellington citizens as a body are so utterly apathetic as to the conduct of municipal matters. A seat in the City Council of the colonial metropolis ought to be a worthy object of aspiration to any ratepayer. The offiee of City Councillor is an honourable one, fraught with much opportunity of usefulness, and in no sense can be deemed despicable. And yet it seems to be despised by the majority of the men who might be expected to fill it with most benefit to the public and credit to themselves. Last Friday’s nominations were very significantof the prevalent feeling of indifference, if not contempt. In two of the wards the retiring candidates not only did not offer themselves for re-election, but did not even deem the matter important enough to need a word of explanation or valediction to their constituents. In one of those wards a gentleman quite new to municipal business has been returned unopposed, and without even taking the trouble to announce himself as a candidate.. Mr Heaton comes, however, with the recommendation of having formerly been an active and useful member of the Harbour Board,, and we have no doubt he will acquit himself creditably in his new position. Still, it indicates a curious state of indifference on the part of the ratepayers generally that a new man should have been allowed a walk-over. It would have argued a more healthy condition of things had the ward been vigorously contested. The re-election of Councillor Williams without opposition for Thorndon stands on a different footing,, for he had one or two sharp contests before he won the seat, and since be has held it he has done excellent service. He might fairly look to be reelected, but we should have liked to see some one else at least willing to take the position, or to have a “ try ” for it. Councillor Coombe has also proved himself a useful member, but he has to face the opposition of another new man ” —-Mr Tyson.. Lastly, the Lambton seat is to be stoutly contested by Mr AndrewYoung—a former Councillor, and Mr Lionel Harris. Both are known as very shrewd and capable men of business, and either will doubtless make a serviceable representative of the ward. But while in such a dearth of candidates it is at least a matter for congratulation that we have so respectable a list, there cannot be a wholesome Btate of things when, seats in the Council are all but going begging. There never was a time when capable men were more needed than now. Many matters of the utmost importance have to be resolutely met, intelligently considered, and vigorously, grappled with. The mere recital would fill more space than we can now spare, bat we may name two —the disposal of refuse and the electric lighting of the city. Proposals on each subject will come before the Council and will need the most careful consideration by competent men. We hope the new Council will prove its capacity by dealing with thesematters in a thoroughly satisfactorymanner. It is to be regretted that so many men of high capacity and. large experience should persistently hold aloof from civic affairs. But if they will not stand voluntarily they cannot be made to do so, and nothing can be done but to lament the fact.