The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1911.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3189, 7 April 1911, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1911.

Ths Pending Local Elections.

Time passes quickly, and within three weeks now—or to be

more precise on April 26—there will devolve upon the electors the task of choosing members to represent them on the Borough Council and on the Harbor Board. So important is it that a strong,body should be elected in each instance that we feel it only right to again emphasise the position. For our own part, we think that at no previous time in the history of the town and district was there greater need for wise and prudent administration of municipal' and

harbor matters. As. is so well known, both bodies have on hand important undertakings, and, what is more, still greater ventures have long been the subject of consideration. With , the town and district at its present stage of development, their further progress in the immediate future must to a great extent depend upon the wisdom which is shown in entering upon and the success in carrying out all works. Our object in referring to this matter on this occasion is to call attention to the absence from the lists of probable candidates which have from time to time been published of a number of citizens who by reason of their experience and judgment would be of great value on one or other of these bodies. If it should happen that “weak” governing bodies be elected to control the affairs of the municipality and the harbor at this juncture it will indeed be a matter of regret. Nowadays many citizens who are making a success of their own affairs are too prone to begrudge .much time where the public interests are concerned. Surely such ought not to be the case? Irremediable harm might, indeed, accrue if the development of this borough and harbor be ever allowed to pass to residents a majority of whom might have but little stake in this locality, and not a great deal of practical experience. As to the harbor, too much care and attention will be impossible, for instance, as regards any improvement scheme. To those who favor an outer harbor, the question of probable cost must ever weigh considerably. Inner harbor advocates, too, cannot fail to recognise that the development of the river will be anything but inexpensive. There is then ample scope for most careful administration as well as the best expert advice. No outer harbor scheme should, we feel, be finally dealt with until the results of much further developmental work in the inner harbor are known. That the inner harbor scheme must be pushed ahead, no matter whether an outer harbor is in time approved, cannot be disnuted. It may, however, be found to be possible to reduce the cost by running the dredge more constantly and reclaiming further lands. Turning to the municipality, quite a number of matters demand attention. It now seems more probable that there will be a contest for the mayoralty, and this, we feel, is what ought to be the case, for the reasons which we gave on a previous occasion. We know that the present Mayor (Mr. Lysnar) intends to try and get a “ticket” returned to carrv out his policy. Still, it would be better, we think, if the electors returned independent members who are competent to give every matter which may arise full consideration upon its merits. As far as this town is concerned, much still requires to be done in the way of essential improvements before other less important public utilities are undertaken. When the matter was before the electors we emphasised the undesirableness of bracketing important with less important works in the schedule of the big loan. Even now, although the whole of the loan moneys are obtainable, the new Council would do well to confine its attention in the meantime principally to pushing ahead as far as the allocations will allow the installation of the sewerage and the improvement of the roads and footpaths. Equally important, too, is the need of restoring the damaged water supply pipe main. As regards the other projected works under the loan, they cannot be said to be nearly as urgently required. Whilst the town is so badly in need of better streets, a more perfect water supply and a proper system of sewerage, such undertakings as a municipal theatre and others which have since been mooted must long remain out of the question altogether. As regards the method under which the various works should be undertaken, there can be no doubt that Mr. Lysnar is quite right in his advocacy of the adoption of the contract system. From present appearances, but we trust we are mistaken, it will be found when all the loan moneys have been expended that in some instances they have ultimately proved inadequate. We regret to note also that in some quarters there is a desire to indulge in what can only be regarded as over-borrowing. To such an extent has this feeling been general throughout the Dominion of late years that in the past decade “the indebtedness of local bodies has risen from £7,867,542 to £15,142,639. If all this borrowed money had been carefully expended on reproductive works, much exception could not be taken to the enterprise of local bodies. But bow much has been wasted ? And what is more to be regretted is the fact that in some localities extravagance and not judicious expenditure is so very apparent. Seeing that at this stage of' the growth of this town and district useless expenditure to any extent will mean such a big drag on-the citizens and settlers—directly and indirectly—there is, as we have pointed out, very great need for the services on the two important local bodies in question of residents who are' well qualified by experience and have permanent interests hereabouts.