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Southland Times, Issue 3318, 7 February 1879, Page 2

The Harbor Board elections are close at hand, and it is to be hoped that the several elective bodies will select judiciously and without prejudice—their only aim to construct a Board of gdpd working capacity, and that will cbrnmahd the -respect of the district. In consideration of stirring services rendei'ed in the past and unblemished reputation, the members of the old Board have very marked claims upgn support. And we believe these services are not unappreciated, and that notwithstanding ■vituperation and clap-trap on the part of their enemies, a majority of the old members will ijjeet at the Board after Monday neit; :Ihdeedy we :! cpuld name Ya majority even now, the only doubtful members being those to beelected by the Borough :pf .Invbrcargilly Jthe suburban?: b'proiiighs, and' the nominees of theGbverri•••me.n.t.; As f qrthe ;|own we, have no; hesitancy whatever in naming Mr J."T. Martin_ as piieibf itheitwo niembers. If substantial and unassuming services rendered to the •■to^n'flin.yihahy: direciibi^iiare' of the? be assured; 'The real contest will lie between Messrs Hatch and Smyth, and it will, be for the ratepayers to, decide between them. The one has been tried as a public j man; the*' other comes forward for the first time to take part >in public affairs, and if only on that account we should like to" see' him encouraged, for new blood is much to be desired. At the same time, as an old an<Hried public servant Mr Hatch can advance, claims that are not -to be lightly overlooked, The struggle for the representation of the suburban boroughs lies between Messrs Stock and Kemp. We are quite at a loss to account for the candidature of the latter, or why he should have so '• suddenly emerged from an obscurity, which, if we may judge from his address the other day, would be more congenial to him than a seat at the 1 -Harbor Board. Mr Stock, on the contrary, occupies a prominent position in the town, and as a business man ought to be of service'' as a Harbor Board member. 'Still it is desirable that general business .capacity should- be fairly associated with" professional. Men having knowledge of sea and ships and harbor work are necessary for the efficient working of the Board, and hence we hope the new Board will be pusojently leavened "\tjth.-tJie. fcM

mention. This, we fear, will be its weakness. With the Government rests the nomination cjf two" membcrs^of whom -we presume Captain Elles will be one ; but, as for the other — well, after a recent G-ov-. eminent appointment in this town, we should be surprised at no appointment the Government might see fit to make. However, it is to be hoped that the Government nominees will be both proper men, and that for once the Government will put party prejudices on one side, and extend a little .consideration to what is due to the fitness of things. . ■