WANGANUI MAYORALTY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXII, Issue 26, 26 March 1924, Page 3

WANGANUI MAYORALTY

According t© the following sub-,

i leader in the Wanganui Herald, the position of municipal affairs is not altogether satisfactory. “Monday's

emphatic vote in the Mayoral contest (states the Herald) is a clear indication that the people of Wanganui desire a decided change in Ihe management which allowed rnr municipal affair s to drift into so unsatisfactory a condition. This condition, it has to be said, is ”©ry largely the fault of the people themselves in sanctioning for a long period a policy and a management which despite their attractive outside appear-

ance, were time and again condemned hy shrewd business fierids as bound to lead to disaster in the long run. When Mr T. B. Williams look over the Mayoralty he inherited a

very troublesome legacy a« a consequence. He struggled manfully with the difficult task, and must be given credit for a courageous. (n----deavour to put things righ 1 , till, t finally, his health gave way under the strain. When Mr Gibbons offered himself for election it seemed to be almost universally felt that the time had arrived to place such a one a s he in charge—a man of energy, ability, and determination, and Monday’s vote proved amply that the burgesses recognised Mr Gibbons as tlie man for the job. Moreover, it was not only a vote of confidence in the new Mayor, but may equally be interpreted as a clear indication to the Council that the burgesses are not satisfied with their performance. Indeed, this was the issue plainly put before the citizens A large section of the Council put one of their own number up for election, and despite hi s personal good qualities and popularity, his rejection by so overwhelming a majority affords ample proof that the electors decided the issue against the old regime. The electors, having thus shown' their confidence in the new Mayor, it necessarily follows that they will expect the Council to follow hi s lead,' and that, if the Council do not do so, thd next polling day is likely to effect a decided change in its personnel. It ig pleasing to know that the election .was contested in the best possible spirit, and, in congratulating Mr Gibbons on his decisive win, we may express the hope that the same spirit will be in evidence on the part’of all concerned in assisting him to put our municipal affairs straight.