THE DRAINAGE BOARD ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16003, 20 February 1914, Page 4

THE DRAINAGE BOARD ELECTION.

It was apparent throughout the day yesterday that very little interest was being manifested by the public in the election of members of the Drainage Board, and the figures show that approximately nineteen out of twenty electors did not trouble to register their votes. It is regrettable that we should have occasion, at local election after local election, to direct attention to the illustration of public apathy that is afforded by the polling. On this occasion there .was, fortunately, no ifsuc really at stake. The Drainage Board has very nearly completed the sewerage of the area over which it has jurisdiction, and no question of policy is likely ariso in connection with the execution of the works that remain yet to be undertaken by it- The method:; in which the board transacts its business may themselves 'leave something to be desired. Of this more than a hint was dropped during the recent stir that originated in the difference of opinion as to the accuracy of certain figures in an official report upon the operations of the first half of the current financial year, and we are rather disposed to think that too much of the business of the board is relegated to committees for transaction. Possibly a feeling on the part of the public that this is so may have contributed to the success yesterday of the candidature of Mr Belcher, whose record as a member of another public body suggests that he will not be satisfied unless he is afforded full information respecting the details of the work that is done by the board. Tho voting must generally, however, have been dictated by personal considerations, and the election of Mr Belcher, next on the poll to the chairman of the. Works Committee of the board and ahead of the chairman of the whole board, may probably be best regarded as expressive of the public appreciation of the qualities of earnestness, doggedness, and even of pugnaciousness that are usually associated with him.