THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, May 3, 1911. SUMMARY NOTES.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13096, 3 May 1911, Page 2

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, May 3, 1911. SUMMARY NOTES.

The Local Eleclons.

The outstanding feature of the month throughout the Dominion has been the local elections. By the amending Act of last year these elections are to be held as far as possible on the same day in each year, and the franchise is extended. The principle was in operation for the first timo on Wednesday last, when tho electors of Nelson were called upon to perform several important duties. The Mayor and City Council and elective members of the Harbour Board were returned for the ensuing periods, and the days upon which the weekly half holidays shall be observed by shops and factories respectively were determined. At Motueka and Richmond the municipal elections took place, being combined at the former borough with the election of the local members of the Motueka Harbour Board, while I Richmond returned one member to a seat on the Nelson Harbour Board.

The Municipal Elections

Great interest centred in the election of a Mayor and Council for the city, and the healthy change which has come about in locai politics of lato was seen in the array of substantial candidates who sought office. For-the Mayoralty two candidates came out, the sitting Mayor, Mr Pettit, being opposed by Mr T. A. H. Field, who had some years' service in the City Council. Mr Pettit had stood for election last year at a critical period in city affairs, and his commonsense policy appealed strongly to the electors, who returned him by a handsome majority over the then Mayor. Under Mr Pottit's presidency the tone of Council debates was immeasurably raised, but the relentless opposition of a. majority of the Council to the reforms the Mayor advocated made rapid progress impossible. Still, unfavourable as the conditions were, progress was made, and there can be no doubt that had Mr Pettit been given another terra of office and the assistance of the new and eminently capable Council, he would at the end of it been able to retire with an accomplished policy to his credit. Unfortunately, however, lie has not been given the opportunity. His opponent, who declared that as far as he was attached to any policy it was that of Mr. Petlit's predecessor, was elected by a considerable majority. Under Mr Field's direction, however, there need be no apprehension that the city will return to the condition of affairs existing in the bad old days. Tho new Council may be trusted to attend to that. It is for tho most part animated by the I ideals for which Mr Pettit stood. Tho now members are all business men, and they may be depended upon to reorganise city affairs in a practical and lasting manner. The natural regret felt by Mr Pettit's supporters at his defeat has no small compensation in the fact that the paradoxical action of the electors has triumphant^' vindicated his policy. Whatever course of action the Mayor may adopt in the future, the now Council is strong enough and has ideas enough to decide its policy for itself. The installation of Mr Field takes place to-day.

The Harbour Board,

There have been changes for the better in the Harbour Board also. Tho election has resulted in tho Board boing strengthened by the introduction of several new members who are men of progressive ideas, and whose desire is to make tho port facilities worthy of the growing trade of the district. Mr. Graham, who has occupied the office of chairman since the Board's inception ten years ago, has now been succeeded by Mr George Macmahon, Mr Graham remaining a member, and the actions of the Board will be awaited with interest.

New Bishops,

Archdeacon Crossley, of Victoria, the newly chosen Anglican Bishop of Auckland, has arrived in Now Zealand. At his formal enthronement there was a large attendance at the Auckland Cathedral. Bishop Crossley on that occasion paid a tribute to the work of his three predecessors in the diocese (Bishops Selwyn, Cowie and Neligan). He made special reference to the excellent work done by Bishop Selwyn in spite of many legal hindrances, in establishing the constitution of tlie church in New Zealand on a satnf j<jtory basis. The Bishopric of Well'm;ton, vacant by the resignation of J.-r "VVallis, has been filled by the elevat;on to episcopal dignity of the Rev T. H. Sprott, vicar of St Peter's, Wellington, whose consecration takes place in a few days. Bishop Wallis has sailed for England.

The Census.

The census returns so far published show Auckland to be the premier city of New Zealand, a position it is likely to maintain, as there is plenty of building space, and its tram system will continue to extend- With its suburbs, which can so quickly be reached, Auckland shows a population of 107,720, having increased fully 24 per cent in five years. The city of Wellington, with its suburbs, has a population of 83,005, exhibiting an increase of 8142 since the census of 1906. The cities of Christchurch and Dunedin show little if any increase.