AUCKLAND CITY.

Observer, Volume XVIII, Issue 1092, 2 December 1899, Page 8

AUCKLAND CITY.

We Want Good Men.

We shall reserve much of what we have to aay. concerning the candidates for this electorate until our election issue on Monday next. At the present moment the contest is pretty well narrowed down to Messrs Crowther, Hobbs, Napier and Fowld3. They are all good men. Strenuous exertions are being made by Mr J. J. Holland's frienda to brinf? him to the front, but he has proved himself to be such a useless, life less, milk - and - watery member that the people are tired of him. Mr Crowther will poll heavily. He has been a very straight member, consistent and independent, and no one has fought more determinedly for Auckland's interests than he has.

Mr Hobbs deserves much consideration at the hand of the electors. He was one of the best of our country members for many yearß, and served bis country faithfully and well, until he elected, of his own- accord, to give up politics altogether. He ia not self seeking. He has nothing to gain by re-entering public life. On the contrary, he has a great deal to lose. Mr Hobbs's re-ap-pearance in the political arena is at the call of public duty. He has come forward because of the necessity for conscientious and honest men to put the affairs of the country straight Mr Hobba, like Mr Crowther, deserves to win his seat.

Of all the candidates who have offered themselves, none is more gifted and able than Mr Napier. Well versed in the science of politics, endowed with exceptional eloquence, and in close touch with every progressive movement in the community, Mr Napier is exactly the class of man we want in Parliament. He is able to advance and maintain our interests in the councils of the country. In the South, they elect their ablest men — here we choo3e our poorest, intellectually. Let U9 hope thit the order of things will be changed at this election, and that we will do ourselves credit by placing Mr Napier in Parliament. He has carried out great reforms in the Harbour Board, the harbour improvements recently effected and stiil in progress are a monument to his administrative capacity, while in the Freeman's Biy recreation ground movement alone he has accomplished a work that haß placed him high in the regard of the Auckland people. Mr Napier is second to none of the Auckland candidates in the matter of ability, and we hope Co see him elected.

Of the other candidates in the running, Mr Fowlds is the best, though hia single tax proclivities and partiality for Austrian gumdiggers will not assist his candidature. Mr Vaile, though a most excellent man, has annonnoed himself too late in the day to give him any prospect of success. Mr Holland has proved himself an absolute political failure. Auckland an do much better. Mr B&ntne will run into fifth or sixth place, while Mr French cannot be taken seriously. As for Messrs Began and Rosser, they will not get the support of the balk of the labour party, so that their prospects are hopeless. Of the two, Mr Began deserves most from the trades unionists. He has done much for them — Mr Rosser bag done nothing.