The Waikato Independent Incorporating "The Cambridge Gazette." SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1923. EDITORIAL NOTES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 3051, 28 April 1923, Page 4

The Waikato Independent Incorporating "The Cambridge Gazette." SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1923. EDITORIAL NOTES

Cambridge Mayoralty. While Mr C. H. Priestley's election as Mayor of Cambridge was anticipated by many, it was not generally believed that he would have such a large majority as the poll revealed. It is. pleasing to know that the election was fought in a friendly spirit, and Mr Stopford accepted his defeat like a gentleman. Mr Priestley is by no means a novice in civic administration, having had a lengthy experience oil municipal affairs, that should serve him in good stead in his more elevated and responsible position of Mayor. He was first elected to the Borough Council in 1908, and, with but one break, .served continuously until 1918, after which It? acted as citizens' representative for some time. During the time he occupied a seat on the Council, Mr Priestley proved a most valuable member—cautious and careful in business dealings, and exercising zeal and commendable enterprise in all that he undertook. He acted us chairman of the Works Committee for some time. On two previous occasions Mr Priestley unsuccessfully contested the Mayoralty. la 1912 he was defeated by-Mr Geo, Dickinson by the narrow majority of; 34 vq-fces, and in 192.1 he was beaten by the present Mayor (Mr S. Lewis) by 64 yotua. Mr Priestley has been (chairman of ; the, District High School Committee for a considerable period, a position he. has filled most worthily, and is also president of •the Chamber of Commerce. Having retired from active business operation;', the Mayor-elect will have ample time to devote to municipal affairs, and an he has proved himself in the past to be an ardent advocate of everything, for the progress of the town, Cambridge is fortunate in having the services of such a gentleman as Mayor. We have pleasure in congratulating Mr Priestley on his election, and trust, that under his guidance, and with the cordial cooperation of the Councillors and the citizens generally, Cambridge may continue to make substantial progress on sound, business lines.

Saturday Closing Victory The electors have expressed tluiir opinion on the half-holiday question in no uncertain way. A majority of 208, out of a total of 896 valid votes east, in favour of the observance of Saturday as the half-holiday is conclusive proof of the feelings of the electors on this burning question, which has caused ho much talk and a little unpleasantness among local residents. It is probable that, had those advocating Wednesday been more energetic, the voting would have been much closer, but that docs not affect the issue. The. people have been given the opportunity of expressing their opiuion, and -if they have not seizeil and made the most of it, they have no one but themselves to blame, and as a democratic people those of all shades ox opinion should accept the verdict with q, good grace, and loyally abide by the decision. The great difference of thi. voting -between Cambridge asd Loaxoington —the bo?ough gave ft majority of .209 for Saturday,

while the adjoining suburb votingshowed a majority of one for Wednesday—seems to bear out the oft expressed opinion that the majority of town residents, and more particularly the employees, favour Saturday closing, while outside residents, who do not enjoy the same facilities for shopping, prefer the shops to be open on Saturdays. The result of the poll will forthwith be notified to the Minister, and the change will come into force the first Saturday after the Minister has caused the notification to be gazetted; therefore we may expect to revert to Saturday half-holiday in a very short time, now. Weil Done, Cambridge! "We have just been furnished with another example of the fine spirit that prevails in this town and district, which always prompts the people to respond liberally to any appeal for the relief of those in distress. Some six weeks ago, there was a sad fatality in the Waikato river, by which a young woman was left a widow with six little children unprovided for. Immediately an effort was made to provide relief, and the appeal has now closed with the raising of the handsome sum of over £IOOO, portion of which has already been expended in providing a home for the widow and bereaved family. We frequently hear it said that the world is getting worse —that we are growing more selfish and materialistic. Be this as it may, it is most pleasing to find that in Cambridge and district —and we do not say this in a Pharisaical spirit—the people seem only too pleased to help in any deserving ease of true charity, as was recently furnished by the Chard fatality. The splendid achievement of raising over £IOOO in a few weeks for this fund is, as has already been stated, a fine exhibition of true religion. As we read in the Good Old Book (James ch. 1, v. 27): "Pure religion and undefiled before God and theFather is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."