The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1901.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11649, 4 April 1901, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1901.

The extraordinary apathy which has for many years marked municipal matters in New Plymouth does not appear to be in any degree dissipated. Here we are within th ree weeks of a most important borough election, and so far as .surface indications go, not the slightest interest is being taken by the general body of burgesses. For the Mayoralty there five two candidates in the field, the sitting Mayor and Mr R. Cock. The former's qualifjcationa and policy are, of course, well known, but up to the present no public indication has been given as to Mr Cock's claims to support. It is known that he has progressive views, but in the ahsonce of any defined statement of his policy tho contest bids fair to resolve itself into a personal one, and that is an undesirable ground to fight the election upon, besides which it will leave the issue in the hands of a minority of the burgesses. On the other hand a well thought out progressive scheme of improvements would appeal to a large class whose attitude at recent elections has been one of almost hopeless resignation, an J of despair of seeing a change for the better. It is impossible to believe that the majority of the ratepayers are satisfied with the way borough affairs have been and are being managed. The streets and footpaths are among the worst in New Zealand, and both in things done and I jbhings left undone the record of the Borough Council for the last few years is an indifferent one. The removal | and renovation of the Town Hall at great cost is a sufficient example of the waste which has taken place, though numerous other instances might be pointed to. At any rate there is no denying the fact that the management might be very much improved; and tho question is, will the burgesses take sum'eient interest to attempt to bring about an improvement ? They have now an opportunity Kiich as they have never had of reconstructing the Council, for instead of only three Councillors retiring the whole nine go out of office, as well as the Mayor, and the new Council will hold office for two years. It remains to bo seen whether the burgesses have .sufficient confidence in the retiring Councillors to rt,tucn them ixb a time when important public wqrk§ have tn bp undertaken. In tho past til*-- lnau^uniunt Una proved unequal to tfao task of keeping the grass from growing half across the footpaths, and

if this condition of things is pci IpHuatoil for another term it will he the fa ale of the burgesses, [t i^ quite time, if any attempt is to be mack- r<\ eflect a change, that candidates came forward , p and£stated their views. The election' will take place on the 24th inst.