The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, MARCH 16. 1909. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2451, 16 March 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, MARCH 16. 1909. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

The Progressive League and the Trades and Labor Council have done well to give a reminder that in a few weeks’ time the people of Gisborne will have an opportunity to elect a new Mayor and a new Council. It should scarcely be necessary to point out to our readers the advisableness of utilising the dual chance that is thus given. The Council as well*as the Mayor must take its share of the blame for the very unsatisfactory condition that has prevailed during the past twelve months. Mr. W. D. Lysnar lias proved his entire unsuitableness for the position to which he was appointed a year ago. His tactlessness has been appalling, while the crudity of his schemes has been evident to anyone who gave them consideration. Municipal matters have never been so badly handled as they have during the period in which he has been the Chief Executive, and the recent investigation of the sanitary position has revealed the wretched state into which at least one of our -public services lias been permitted to relapse. His personal relationships with the Councillors have been strained throughout, and it has been demonstrated conclusively that lie lacks those essential qualities which enable a leader to inspire confidence and respect from those with whom he is associated. In general matters his remarkable exhibition in the theatre during the heat of the licensing election stands out as a striking monument of public incapacity and impropriety. Of the hundreds who thronged the theatre and became convulsed with laughter at the incongruous situations which were created by a partisan Mayor as lie railed against No-License, we doubt if there were many who would give this persistent individual another opportunity to thus misuse the Mayoral office. In regard to the Councillors, it its impossible to contend that they have established legitimate claims to re-elec-tion. There are one or two —possibly the number might be increased to three —who can be honestly recommended for another term, but, taken in the aggregate, there i > a dead level of mediocrity apparent that spells inaction and retrogression for the town. The Councillors have, ht is true, been at a very great disadvantage during".the past year in that they have been working under a Mayor who was entirely, unfitted for the position he occupied. Under very trying circumstances they exhibited commendable patience and forbeaiancc, with the result that they invariably preserved the dignity of the Council which was so seriously threatened at

times by the Mayoral eccentricities. Not only that, but they succeeded in preventing the ratepayers from being saddled with all sorts of ridiculous plans which the fertile brain of the Mayor had evolved for their -edification. This, however, by no means exhausts the duties of a Borough Councillor, for it was quite competent for half a dozen to have got together and, irrespective of the Mayor, propounded and carried .into effect many things that were of public concern. Moreover, during the year that preceded Mr. Lys liar’s term of office the record of the present Council was one of colorless, unimaginative work. While the Mayor himself is primarily responsible for the failure of the Council’s operations in regard to the sanitation of the town, it must still be recognised that the individual Councillors must also take a share of the responsibility. For these and other reasons we should be glad to see a complete change in the personnel of Mayor and Council. We have pointed out on numerous occasions during the past few years that there is ample work awaiting a really capable and live Town Council, but those who have been in charge in recent years appear quite unable to cope with the necessities of the situation. As already indicated, there are a f ew , 0 f the old members whose services could with advantage be retained, but with these exceptions we should like to see a marked influx of new blood as the result of the coining elections.