THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1907. AN APATHETIC BOROUGH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8980, 14 November 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, NOV EMBER 14, 1907. AN APATHETIC BOROUGH.

If it is true, as has been said, that indifference to public concerns is an indication of the prosperity of a community, the ratepayers and burgesses of Masterton may be ranked as among the most prosperous people in the dominion. At any rate, whatever the cause, they have become so inert in matters of public concern, and so regardless of urgent calls upon their activity in the civic weal, that it appears as if only a cataclysm would move them. There are many works of importance which ought to receive prompt attention at the hands of the borough council, but, as the ratepayers do not manifest any interest in municipal questions the council adopts a go-as-you-please attitude, and is more phased to stand still than to move ahead. The ratepayers are as much to blame for this state of things as are their municipal representatives, and unless the burgesses bestir themselves and bestir the council the borough will never occupy the high position among the provincial towns of the dominion, which its position as the hub of a large district warrants, and |which the population, wealth and business enterprise of its citizens should ensure. The most important and urgent work calling for recognition is the extension of the drainage system, so as to place every house within the borough in touch with the sewage mains.. The urgency has been admitted by the council, but the council evidently allows the

Mayor to block the way towards the performance of an admitted duty. Why the Mayor does not take the initiative we cannot say; why the council does not insist upon its own resolutions on the drainage question being given effect to is a mystery; but the reason of the Mayor's supineness should be demanded by the ratepayers, who should also insist upon an explanation of the council's inactivity, and force that body with the inert head to take prompt action to preserve the health of the community. The council holds meeting after meeting to discuss matters of minor moment, but this great question of drainage is everlastingly shirked. Already this year the borough has been severely visited by disease of an infectious character and there are indications of a recrudescence of the trouble. We fear that unless the councilor the residents of the borough rouse themselves to a sense of their responsibilities they will yet have cause to bitterly rue their apathy.