The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, APRIL 2,1909. THE COUNCIL ELECTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2466, 2 April 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, APRIL 2,1909. THE COUNCIL ELECTION.

The comparatively ' frequent announcements of fresh candidates for the BoroiighCouncil election are a gratifying indication that the residents are taking a keen interest in the borough affairs. After all, a . good deal of the blame for the very unsatisfactory state of affairs that has existed in the past must rest with the people themselves. AVhilst all have been ready enough to grumble at evidences of municipal neglect, there lias been little personal interest shown in public matters. Election time comes round; and those who have been ready enough to find fault are frequently, too indolent to walk a few chains to the polling place ; and if they do vote, quite often they do so without having taken the trouble to become personally acquainted with the issues at stake and the suitableness of the individual candidates. The result is that tlie important positions of ;u thority fall to anynoe who cares to stand, quite irrespective of his qualifications. A natural consequence is that some men who seek to gain some personal benefit, and others who have no natural capacity for administering municipal affairs, but merely a desire for notoriety or authority, are entrusted with the government of the town. This has not been the case with the ’local Borough Council, though it very easily might have been. The Council which is now retiring from office, is singularly free from the axe-grinding class, but it unfortunately represents the least progressive section of the community,- and lias not displayed the capacity for coping with the altering circumstances of a rapidly growing community. For this the residents have themselves to blame; and now is the opportunity to retrieve the blunders of the past. On the present occasion it is fortunate that the very serious epidemic of typhoid should be followed so closely by an election, because even the most apathetic citizen lias been moved lately to take an interest in public matters, and, before Ids interest dies down, he will bo provided with an opportunity to give direct effect to his wishes. There should be ample scope for electors in exercising their privileges at the ballot box. Already a number of gentlemen have signified their intention to contest the election ; and it is more than probable that there will be other additional names before the time for receiving nominations closes. AYe should like to sec still more candidates come forward, for there is a good deal of important work to be taken in hand by the new Council, which will have quite exceptional opportunities to prove its value. There need be no diffidence on the part of any resident in offering Ids services, for it is one of the duties of citizenship that all who believe they can serve their fellows should be willing to do so. It lias been suggested that only gentlemen who have formerly- acted upon public bodies-should he elected, but we should be sorry to see such an attitude given effect to'. AVhile past experience is useful, it will often be found that the most valuable work is done by Councillors who have not had previous experience on public bodies. Riovided a man is endowed with ordinary commonsense, some business knowledge and an enthusiasm for the welfare of the borough, there is no reason vhy he should not be chosen to occupy a seat on tlie Council. On the other hand, there are men who sit year after year in tlie seats of Council Chambers who have’ never been known to originate anything, or to do anything more than add to tlie desultory conversation which takes place, and such can well be spared. It must be borne in nund that a Councillor’s duties do not bevi'. and end at the Council meetings. He should-'keep his eyes open when passing through tlie town and suburbs, being always, on the look-out for defects, to be remedied and improvements to be made, A Council composed of such individuals could very soon make a. marked difference to Gisborne.

in which a few young, men have set to work to meet this demand is deserving of the highest commendation. As the result of securing so substantial a membership, the Acfcociation will, within a few days, be enabled to enter into occupation of its new rooms under financial circumstances which will make it possible for the premises to be made exceedingly attractive. The new secretary, Air. Webster, and his assistants have already displayed such capacity for organisation that we shall expect to find them carrying out :a programme during the winter months which will provide ontertainment and some education for several hundreds of young men, 'Moreover, it appears more than likely that before long the Association will have made such progress as to justify it in undertaking the purchase of a property of its own, with buildings large enough for a gymnasium and other suitable premises. Already the movement lias attained sucli dimensions -that the new organisation -is bound to take, an important part in the life of the community. The. future belongs to the young men; apd such a large proportion have joined the Y.M.C.A. that we shall look with interest upon tlie influence it exerts upon them. How much that influence is for good will depend almost entirely upon the good sense and energy of the leaders of the movement; and in this respect present indications are. very satisfactory. Air. John Townley gave a useful hint last night when he reminded members that life was too short to permit of much time being wasted around a billiard table. AYe do not share his apparent antipathy to the game of billiards, for one of the chief features in the success of the Association will rest in its ability to supply stronger attractions in the way of healthy amusement than can oe obtained elsewhere, but at the same time the committee will do well to give all the attenion that can reasonably be given to what Air. Townley described as tlie serious subjects in life. These young men will before long be taking ti-eiv places as citizens of the town; and their'environment in the V.M.C A. rooms will largely determine their sequent value to the community end to themselves.